I love parties, I love going to social gatherings, they are always fun. Whether it is a Super Bowl Party, social meeting, wedding, etc. When receiving an invitation, in my head, I always wonder, “I wonder who’s going to be there.” Then I run down a list of people I think may or may not be invite.

For those that didn’t make it to a Sunday service or Connexion last night, Pastor Bob and Dan both made a huge invitation (you can listen to Bob’s sermon in the Connexion Media section if you missed it). In Sunday morning’s message Dan spoke of our invitation to this great banquet and feast. Sunday evening, Bob touched on the invitation the Samaritan woman accepted from Jesus, the Messiah…

In all invitations, response is needed. We need to notify the host of our interest in showing up to the event. However, when we send out invitations, not everyone gets one. As a matter of fact, there are limits to the amount of invitations sent out. You may not invite someone because you are not friends with them, you may not like them, or you don’t have the money or space to accommodate them. 

The invitation that Christ gives us is very different. It does go to everyone. Jesus says in John 3:16, “that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” Surely he didn’t mean everyone. As we mentioned last week Nicodemus was confused by this (see John 3:1-15). He was amazed when Jesus said this Spiritual rebirth was for EVERYONE. I’m sure Nicodemus was running through his head, which Priests, Rabbis, and Holy Rollers were invited. He must have paused for a second and thought, “surely not EVERYONE.”

In his mind, this rebirth couldn’t be for the murderers, thieves, crooks, and tax collectors.  This rebirth couldn’t be everyone. But Jesus meant what He said. He meant it so much that in the very next chapter in John 4, He proves it. John 4:4 says, “Now Jesus had to go to Samaria.”

Jesus doesn’t have to do anything, but why did He “have” to go. I have to believe that Jesus needed to prove not only to Nicodemus, but maybe even us that the Gospel message is truly for EVERYONE. He didn’t just say it; He followed it up with His actions.

Let’s examine this for a minute….

Nicodemus a man, the Samaritan woman, a woman. Nicodemus educated, Samaritan woman uneducated. Nicodemus a Pharisee, Samaritan woman a commoner. Nicodemus was moral, the Samaritan woman immoral. Nicodemus a Jew, the Samaritan woman, a mixed race. Nicodemus sought knowledge, the Samaritan woman wanted to be loved. Nicodemus came in the evening, the Samaritan woman was approached during the day.

The differences between these two characters are huge. They were on the opposite sides of the spectrum and when Jesus said, “WHOSOEVER,” He meant it.

It didn’t matter if you were male or female, Jew or Gentile, educated or uneducated, religious or irreligious, moral or immoral, day or night. It just doesn’t matter. The invitation is for everyone.

What a great message!!! In a day where status is determined by what gatherings you’re invited to, the Gospel message says come however you are, whatever you’ve done. Just come. 

When going through campus this week, remember that the Gospel message belongs to the whole campus. There is not one person excluded. Christianity has to be the most inclusive faith in the entire World. I’d like to challenge you this week, to break down the walls around you and make this great invitation to all.

For those who haven’t made that decision, find someone who has; call Bob, Dan, myself or a friend. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, whether you are a Nicodemus, a Samaritan woman or someone in between, God has a place for you in His Banquet Hall and that’s a promise He will come through on.

Have a wonderful week!!!

This entry was posted on Monday, September 18th, 2006 at 3:09 pm and is filed under Contributed Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.