Jesus Invites You

I walked right into the US president’s office to talk with him. Not unusual! He called me and told me he had heard about my problem. He wanted me to come in to talk so he could help me.

Sound fishy?? Well, it is!

When was the last time a mayor, state representative, state senator, US representative or senator, or US vice president or president asked you to contact him personally? The probability of that happening to you is maybe about 1 in 250 million.

But if it did happen, what are the possibilities that he or she would listen and then do something specific to help you?

But here is an authentic invitation from the Creator, the Sustainer, and the Sovereign over everything that exists. Hebrews 4:15-16  “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Here is how Jesus responded in personal interactions on the earth.

 John the Baptist – Matthew 11:2-19 John asked, “Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another? He who had introduced Jesus as Messiah was now in prison and about to be beheaded. Being discouraged, John sent this question to Jesus. Jesus reassured him by listing the prophecies of the Messiah, given in the Old Testament, that he had accomplished. Later, in that same interview, Jesus characterized John’s life in this way: “Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist.”

Samaritan woman –  How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest of me? Whence then hast thou the living water? (John 4:9). Jesus skillfully answered her, telling her how to receive that living water. (John 4:10-29).

Disciples: When the disciples were questioning who is the greatest, Jesus answered by setting a child in the middle of them and saying, “Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me – – – he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.”  (Luke 9:48). A little later when a village of the Samaritans would not receive Jesus, James and John asked if they should command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, as Elijah did. Jesus answered that the son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. (Luke 9:51-56).

When Thomas asked, “How can we know the way,” Jesus answered, “I am the way.” (John 14:5,6)

When Philip said to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father,” Jesus answered him, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” Then Jesus went on to an expanded response to Philip. (John 14:8-12).

After Thomas had expressed doubt and questions about Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus met with him and all the disciples and challenged Thomas to inspect his hands and feel his side. “Be not faithless, but believing.”  (John 20:24-29)

After Peter’s three-time denial of Jesus, Jesus met with all the disciples for a fish fry on the beach. Then he asked Peter three times, “Lovest thou me?”  When Peter affirmed his love for Jesus each time, Jesus responded by saying, “Feed my lambs” and “Feed my sheep.”  Peter was now forgiven and recommissioned. (John 21)

In each incident above, Jesus answered patiently and carefully with love. He wants lost people to be saved and saved people to understand, grow in the Lord, and serve Him.

The invitation is for us today. In Hebrews 4:16, the writer invites us to come boldly to the throne of grace. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus invited, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden.”  In John 6:37, Jesus said, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”  1 Peter 5:7 instructs, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”  Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 3:12 that “The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers.”

Go to Him today. This invitation is far superior to being invited into some government official’s office. Jesus is the LORD. He is eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, holy and loving.  He not only wants to talk with you and listen to you. He wants to help you, AND – – He is ABLE to help you.

He is more significant than any government official or dignitary. He is not merely talk. He is genuine. He sincerely loves you and cares for you. Hebrews 7:25 says that He lives to make intercession for us. In John 15:15-16. Jesus calls us his friends and then declares, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

Go to Him today. He is waiting to hear from you and to help you.