“You are invited…” Receiving an invitation to a birthday party, bridal shower, wedding, graduation, baby shower, or retirement is an honor. Just this weekend, my family attended an 86th Birthday party and a wedding. The sense of feeling included and the relationships the invitation celebrates creates an inner beauty of acceptance.
Jesus speaks a variety of invitations throughout the Gospels. Jesus’ invitations call for action beyond consideration. The person needs to make a decision. In John 1:38-39, two of John the Baptist’s disciples ask Jesus, “Where are you staying?” Jesus replies, “Come and you will see.” Jesus does not give them a geographical answer; he invites them to “come and see.”
In another account of Jesus’ invitation, Jesus is walking along the shore, and he sees men working in their fishing boats. He calls out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people” (Matthew 4:19).
In teaching about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, he says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). An invitation to self-surrender and following Jesus each day.
When life became overwhelming and the crowds were pressed up against them, Jesus invited his disciples, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31). Jesus did not drive his disciples to work more, minister more, and travel farther; Jesus invited them to rest.
These invitations are not limited to the people with whom they were first spoke. These invitations have held true throughout generations, as Jesus invites us to: “come and see;” “come follow me;” and “come away to rest.” Jesus is the great inviter. His invitation is not limited to a few, but Jesus invites us all and it is his desire that we would affirmatively respond.
My heart overflows each day that Jesus invites me into a relationship with him. I give God thanks that in his invitation, Jesus’ desire is for the relationship to go beyond an initial response to a daily walk with Jesus. I am thankful that Jesus is not a taskmaster who demands I keep doing and keep going all the time but invites me to come away and rest. My heart overflows with my relationship with Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your invitation. Thank you that in your invitation, you desire the relationship with me. Help me to hear your invitation when life becomes overwhelming and be reminded you want me to rest. In Jesus’ name. Amen.