The Invitation

               I love getting invitations. Well, most of the time I do. Sometimes I get those emails or phone calls that state that I am being invited to take part in a brief survey because my opinion is extremely valuable. Then about 3 hours the “brief” survey is over. And I have been invited to attend those free vacations, with the only caveat being I have to sit through a very brief low-pressure sales presentation for their time share company. Often these are neither brief nor low-pressure. Each year I also get “invited” to attend a consultation with our Johnson City District Committee on Ordained Ministry. Of course I am not equating this time with the dCOM to time share pitches or unwanted telemarketers, I am just saying that some invitations are more enjoyable than others.

               Like a birthday party invitation. Those are usually good. Well, unless you don’t really know the person that well, or if you have no idea what kind of gift to buy. Or if it’s one of those invitations from your child’s elementary school class where they have to invite every single child in the class so you have no idea who the parents are or who you’re going to be hanging out with while wondering why people still scheduled birthday parties at places like Chuck E Cheese (no offense Chuck, I am just using you as an example). OK, so maybe all birthday party invitations aren’t the best.

               But wedding invitations, those are always great! Right? Well, unless it’s one of those Saturday outdoor weddings in August. Hot, hot, hot and humid. Of course these never start on time, because the bridal party is inside the air conditioned oasis of our party building while you sit melting in a chair that is leaving little sweat rings under your backside. And of course these over top once in a lifetime wedding events try to bring in every element of art, dance, drama, and music so that the entire event with snacks before and dinner after lasts hours…or days. OK, so maybe all wedding invitations aren’t that great.

               Now, before you think that I have just gone all cynical on invitations, I am just trying to make a point. We like to be invited to things, that is part of our human nature. We want to be included.

               In Matthew 22:1-14 Jesus tells a story about a wedding. This parable was used to illustrate that we are all invited into the kingdom of God, but that not everyone will come. The incredible irony is that while we are waiting for an invitation to something this weekend, we have already been invited to relationship with Jesus. And for many people reading this column, you have already accepted that invitation. But that’s not all there is. Now we get to invite others.

               The end of the first chapter of the gospel of John deals with invitations. Jesus was an inviter. His famous pick up line was “follow me”. And it is still is. And people did, and still do. But my favorite invitation from Jesus was to two disciples of another teacher, John the Baptist. One day they saw Jesus walking by and John said, “Look, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”. So naturally these two guys are curious so they follow Jesus, just walking behind him following.

               So Jesus asks them what they want. They say they want to see where He is staying. And his answer is, “Come, and you will see”.

               That’s the invitation. Come and see. Come and see what Jesus is doing. Maybe you’ll get that invitation you’re waiting for, maybe you won’t. But you have already been invited into relationship with the One who takes away the sin of the world. Your invitation is one of relationship. Have you accepted?