Advent 4 - You're Invited!

DAY 4 - You’re Invited
Ephesians 2:19-22 

Yesterday we looked at five clues in Jesus’s family tree that help us see one of God’s gifts in Jesus for us. We met Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheeba. Again we ask, how does Jesus’s family tree show us the gift God wants to give us?

Think about those women: sketchy history, outsiders, and big faith. Sounds like a lot of the people Jesus connected with during his ministry. Those people weren’t Bible scholars. They weren’t in church every weekend. They cussed too much and slept around. But they found Jesus absolutely captivating. Their lives changed when they trusted Jesus with everything. Their faith landed them in God’s faith-filled family. Later, Jesus prepped his disciples to invite everyone into God’s faith-filled family. After his resurrection, he said, “Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism” (Mt 28:19, MSG).

Jesus wants everyone to know they’re invited to the party called the kingdom of God! That wasn’t something new, just something forgotten, a fact Matthew reminds us of by including these four extraordinary women. Jesus is good news for everyone and everyone is invited to God's faith-filled family!

That means YOU. God has a page for your picture in Jesus’s family photo album. God’s gift is welcome into God’s family.

Everyone's invited to God's faith-filled family. Can you believe that? I hope so, because the only way to open God’s gift of welcome is to believe. Believe God welcomes you through Jesus into the faith-filled family. Trust God enough to claim the gift. How can you receive a gift you don’t believe is intended for you? You are welcome! You are invited!

Can you believe you are loved? In love, God made you to love and be loved. But every one of us rebel against God’s love, poisoning the world with evil and separating us from God. But God rescues us through Jesus and invites us to God’s faith-filled family. God loves YOU! Can you believe it?

REFLECT
When is it hardest to believe God loves you and welcomes you into God’s faith-filled family?

PRAYER
Faithful God, your promises stand unshaken through all generations. Renew us in hope, that we may be awake and alert watching for the glorious return of Jesus Christ, our judge and savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. AMEN.