The invitation came… appreciated, if not a bit unexpected. We are part of the second
tier of those to be considered for an invitation. Not immediate family. Not close friends. Not
important work contacts. We are the in-laws of a family member. But still the invitation
came for a wedding in Mexico City. Why Mexico City? We are told that the city holds a
special childhood memory and is a delight for foodies who love of good Mexican food. But
most of all, the couple hoped to keep the wedding small and intimate- to only those willing to
travel out of love for them. Thus, our surprise to be included in that list.
But once the invitation came and the appreciation for being included in that inner circle waned, we began to consider the practical implications of accepting. Two flights. Customs in Mexico. Uber in a foreign city. A city larger than New York. A series of wedding events that would require a whole suitcase of attire. A language we did not know. We had more than one moment of hesitation before sending our Yes reply. Looking back, we are grateful for the opportunity to share in the celebration.
The story of Jesus is full of invitations offered, considered, accepted and denied.
Consider the story of Matthew the tax collector, invited by Jesus to be one of his chosen twelve. When Matthew describes that encounter, he tells us that he did not hesitate. “Matthew got up and followed.” (Matthew 9:9) Imagine walking away from job, security, position, power, wealth, to follow a young rabbi with no position or power. But the invitation that I find even more fascinating is the one Matthew gave to his friends. Picture a gathering of tax collectors, eating, drinking, enjoying their normal rivalry, when Matthew brings Jesus into the party. This group would normally have no desire to meet a rabbi. Surely a rabbi would judge them as traitors to their own people, sinners against the law of God, and overall ‘bad’ men. But Matthew invites his friends to meet Jesus, nonetheless.
Consider the story of Andrew, the younger brother, searching for the meaning of life. For a while, he follows John the Baptist. Until one day, John points to Jesus and says, “Look, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:29) Immediately Andrew turns to Jesus, sits with him, listens to him. Jesus is the One Andrew has been looking for his whole life. But instead of staying at Jesus’ side, Andrew runs to get his brother Simon. Simon is the head of the family. He provides for the family. His fishing nets must never go empty, or his family will go hungry. There is no time for searching in a life full of responsibilities. But Andrew insists. He drags his brother away from work to meet Jesus, and thus Simon Peter’s journey begins.
Consider the lame man. For a lifetime he has sat on the sidelines. His life has been defined by brokenness. Hope has long since vanished. But one day, his friends pick up his mat. They carry him to a house. They awkwardly move him up a ladder onto the roof. Then his friends dig a hole through that roof and proceed to lower him down into the middle of a room where Jesus is teaching. The expectation is clear- Jesus, you can heal this man. The friends have heard the stories. They have hope. But this man gave up hope a long time ago. The lame man ends up facing Jesus that day, not because he said ‘yes’ to an invitation, but because his friends would not take ‘no’ for an answer.
How many of us have people in our lives who have no interest in an invitation to meet Jesus? They are busy like Peter… or sure that Jesus and his church are full of judgment like Matthew’s friends… or have no hope that healing is possible like the lame man. They are convinced that there is no reason to add Jesus into their lives other than a fun story at Christmas time that delights our children. But when Matthew’s friends had no desire to meet Jesus- Matthew still brought Jesus to the party. When Peter was too busy to meet Jesus, Andrew still insisted that he come to meet the Lamb of God. When the lame man had given up all hope, his friends moved heaven and earth to bring him to Jesus. Will we do the same for those we love?
Invite a friend… a family member… a neighbor… a co-worker… perhaps even your enemy… to join you on September 7th for our Kick-Off worship and picnic. Invite them to share in the beauty of our Kick-Off Concert on September 21st at 6pm. Invite and Jesus will do the rest.
With you, inviting until the answer is YES,
Anita
But once the invitation came and the appreciation for being included in that inner circle waned, we began to consider the practical implications of accepting. Two flights. Customs in Mexico. Uber in a foreign city. A city larger than New York. A series of wedding events that would require a whole suitcase of attire. A language we did not know. We had more than one moment of hesitation before sending our Yes reply. Looking back, we are grateful for the opportunity to share in the celebration.
The story of Jesus is full of invitations offered, considered, accepted and denied.
Consider the story of Matthew the tax collector, invited by Jesus to be one of his chosen twelve. When Matthew describes that encounter, he tells us that he did not hesitate. “Matthew got up and followed.” (Matthew 9:9) Imagine walking away from job, security, position, power, wealth, to follow a young rabbi with no position or power. But the invitation that I find even more fascinating is the one Matthew gave to his friends. Picture a gathering of tax collectors, eating, drinking, enjoying their normal rivalry, when Matthew brings Jesus into the party. This group would normally have no desire to meet a rabbi. Surely a rabbi would judge them as traitors to their own people, sinners against the law of God, and overall ‘bad’ men. But Matthew invites his friends to meet Jesus, nonetheless.
Consider the story of Andrew, the younger brother, searching for the meaning of life. For a while, he follows John the Baptist. Until one day, John points to Jesus and says, “Look, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:29) Immediately Andrew turns to Jesus, sits with him, listens to him. Jesus is the One Andrew has been looking for his whole life. But instead of staying at Jesus’ side, Andrew runs to get his brother Simon. Simon is the head of the family. He provides for the family. His fishing nets must never go empty, or his family will go hungry. There is no time for searching in a life full of responsibilities. But Andrew insists. He drags his brother away from work to meet Jesus, and thus Simon Peter’s journey begins.
Consider the lame man. For a lifetime he has sat on the sidelines. His life has been defined by brokenness. Hope has long since vanished. But one day, his friends pick up his mat. They carry him to a house. They awkwardly move him up a ladder onto the roof. Then his friends dig a hole through that roof and proceed to lower him down into the middle of a room where Jesus is teaching. The expectation is clear- Jesus, you can heal this man. The friends have heard the stories. They have hope. But this man gave up hope a long time ago. The lame man ends up facing Jesus that day, not because he said ‘yes’ to an invitation, but because his friends would not take ‘no’ for an answer.
How many of us have people in our lives who have no interest in an invitation to meet Jesus? They are busy like Peter… or sure that Jesus and his church are full of judgment like Matthew’s friends… or have no hope that healing is possible like the lame man. They are convinced that there is no reason to add Jesus into their lives other than a fun story at Christmas time that delights our children. But when Matthew’s friends had no desire to meet Jesus- Matthew still brought Jesus to the party. When Peter was too busy to meet Jesus, Andrew still insisted that he come to meet the Lamb of God. When the lame man had given up all hope, his friends moved heaven and earth to bring him to Jesus. Will we do the same for those we love?
Invite a friend… a family member… a neighbor… a co-worker… perhaps even your enemy… to join you on September 7th for our Kick-Off worship and picnic. Invite them to share in the beauty of our Kick-Off Concert on September 21st at 6pm. Invite and Jesus will do the rest.
With you, inviting until the answer is YES,
Anita
Posted in From The Pastor
Categories
Recent
Archive
2025
August
November
December
2024
January
March
April
May
2023
January
1 Comment
In the Associate Reformed PC where I grew up you had church 3 times a week 11AM and 7PM Sundays and 7PM Weds. Pot Luck or church suppers happened first Sunday every month after the 11 service. Add the annual Thanksgiving and Christmas pot lucks we got together as a church family 12 to 15 times a year at the common tables. Even in a small town community of Canonsburg Pa you needed such events often to maintain what we in the military call unit or group cohesion and unit integrity. Keep folks engaged and accountable to each other
n
nThere are three groups of people that attend any church or any size any given Sunday. Group one are the true believes. Those with roots and commitments going back decades in many cases. And are committed to the institution before any church staff or clergy at the time. Seen them come and go. Group two are more recent and have a high degree of loyalty to the current pastor or staff. Expect to lose about 30% of this group in any times of pastoral transition. Three are those with the least amount of by in and least affinity to either institution or staff. What we once called Christmas and Easter folks and come and go or you see a few times a year.
n
n The goal of any church anytime and place is make groups 2 and 3 more like 1. Forget about new people in and out the door. You start by simply feeding them fried chicken Mac cheese. Talking to them and see where things go.
n
nIn the ARPC you miss a few weeks of church or miss a few meals the elders would call you and ask how things are going We miss you etc. then came the pastoral call. Anybody in groups 2 or 3 at LVC falls into a ditch would anybody know or care? How do you track them and who does keep the ties that bind. If the only response is that’s Pastor Xs job. They do it all. He or she does everything for us. Think again. That is the real question
n
n
n