Receiving an invitation gives us happy thoughts for an enjoyable time together with friends and family. We may be invited to a friend’s birthday party, and we look forward to a happy time of games and celebration. We may receive a dinner invitation, and we look forward to the enjoyment of a good meal and happy conversation with family and friends. We may get an invitation to a wedding, and we look forward to celebrating that happy occasion with the bride and groom. It is important to think of the kindness of the one who invited us, and to honor that person by appreciating the extra time and effort they have put forth for us.
I had an experience where this was not the case. I received a spoken invitation to come for dinner at a certain time, along with other people my age. It would be a happy time together in this home. But, sadly, I began to doubt that I had really received the invitation for the dinner, and I thought that maybe I was mistaken about it. When the time came, I drove past the house, but still didn’t know for sure that I was really included, so I didn’t go in. Later that evening, the person who had invited me said, “We missed you at dinnertime.” I felt sorry that I had not thought of her kindness and effort for the dinner she had prepared.
We read a story of something similar in Luke 14:16-2416Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. (Luke 14:16‑24). “A certain man made a great supper, and [invited] many: and sent his servant at suppertime to say to them that were [invited], Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse.” How sad that each one who had been invited did not appreciate the effort put forth for them, and they asked to be excused! They all missed out on the supper that was prepared for them.
This story is told to remind you and me of a most important invitation that God has sent to each one of us. He invites us to accept a full and free salvation from the guilt and punishment of our sins. Each of us needs to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and accept Him as our very own Lord and Savior. And this invitation is open to everybody! “Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:1717And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)). We pray that each person reading this will not make excuses, but will accept the truth of God’s Word and receive the salvation so freely and lovingly offered. This is an invitation you don’t want to miss out on for any reason!
ML-12/16/2018