Invitation

#Guyon #100DaysintheSecretPlace #OolaFaith #FindingOola #invitation

"I give you an invitation: If you are thirsty, come to the living waters." Guyon

I regularly state "I hate religion, but I love Jesus." I proclaim this out loud because many people think they are the same.

If you read Jesus (and by that I mean the first four books in the New Testament in the Bible: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) you will discover that Jesus wasn't all that interested in religion either. In fact the only people he harshly confronted were the religious leaders of the day.

I love Matthew's story. He was Jewish and worked as a tax collector for Rome, the occupying power. He was hated by his own people and an outcast from society. But Jesus calls him to come and follow him. Matthew puts on a dinner party.

" Jesus went to Matthew’s home to share a meal with him. Many other tax collectors and outcasts of society were invited to eat with Jesus and his disciples.

When those known as the Pharisees saw what was happening, they were indignant, and they kept asking Jesus’ disciples, “Why would your Master dine with such lowlifes?”

When Jesus overheard this, he spoke up and said, “Healthy people don’t need to see a doctor, but the sick will go for treatment.”  Then he added, “Now you should go and study the meaning of the verse:

I want you to show mercy, not just offer me a sacrifice.

For I have come to invite the outcasts of society and sinners, not those who think they are already on the right path.” Matthew 9: 10-13 The Passion Translation

This is why I love Jesus: Because He loves all people, but especially the lost, hurt, lonely, marginalized, disenfranchised and rejected.

Jesus calls us to come to Him because He has life. And his life is Love.

“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.” Matthew 11: 28-30

Have you been burned by people claiming to be Christians?

Do you hate religion?

Has the church judged and rejected you?

Great! You are ready to meet Jesus. He's calling your name and welcoming you to his table.