I love to be invited. I am sure you do too. An invitation makes us feel special, thats why we take invitations seriously. An invitation – to go out on a date or attend a friends-only event or even to simply just come over for coffee or dinner – makes one feel recognized, loved and accepted.

 

And yet, as special as all invitations are, they are even more special depending on who is extended the invitation. Imagine then receiving an invitation from none other than the Lord Jesus himself. In Matthew 4, I see three great invitations Jesus  – the King of all kings – is extending to us:

 

1. Jesus invites us to follow Him: he is inviting you and I to let him be the our master, the boss over our lives! Why? Because truly no one else deserves to lead us – not even ourselves. I know how bad a leader I can be at work, in my family and even in my church. I feel like Jesus is saying to me: I know you could be such a bad leader; I know you are a potential basket case, and a complete mess. But I can lead you; I want to you lead; will you let me lead you? And you do remember how Jesus leads, right? He is the leader – perhaps the only one I know of – who would pick a bucket of water and a towel to wash the feet of those whom he is leading! That is who is asking me to follow Him? The one who will, and has, laid his neck to take the blow from the ax-man that I deserved. Have you accepted that invitation? What is keeping you from making this decision – to follow Jesus?  Right now, you are following something or someone? Is it Jesus? Or are you following your emotions, what makes sense to you, what your culture says or what your friends say?  Jesus is inviting you to follow him – will you say yes? How do you know if you have accepted his invitation? If you constantly ask this question: “Lord Jesus, what do you want me to do about (fill in the blank)?

 

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