The Wonder of Being Invited, The Folly of Rejecting

Once upon a time a most generous and good man became king over an extremely poor and needy country. This good man had been and continued to be king over a much larger and vaster kingdom, but he came and conquered this poor country out of mercy for the people who were suffering such enormous hunger, poverty, and need of every sort. It actually cost this good king tremendous personal hardship and agony to become the ruler of this needy nation; but such was his love and goodwill for the suffering that he did so.

After becoming king and establishing his throne, this king sent messengers throughout the nation inviting everyone in need to come to him in his palace and receive freely whatever they needed to be well, safe, and happy. The only conditions were that the people must trust Him enough actually to come to him for their needs and having received then to tell others how the king had been so good to them. The king strategically located his palace so that it was close to everyone.

Unbelievably, however, most of the people in that small impoverished country refused the King's generous offer and perished as the result. Some in their pride refused to admit they were needy. Others refused to believe that the king would actually do what he promised. Some said they believed the King's invitation but were either too busy or too lazy to go to the palace and take possession of the provisions provided. And some said they would like to be fed and have their needs supplied but they were too shy to confess the king's goodness to others.

What would you think about such people, particularly when all of their neighbors who did in fact take the king up on his offer came back rejoicing that the king's generosity was in fact greater than advertised! Would you agree that those people sadly deserved to starve?

Are you one of these people? Jesus Christ is that good and generous king. By humbling Himself to become man and by dying in the place of guilty human beings who deserve the wrath of God, Jesus as man earned the title "King or Lord over all Heaven and earth." This title was eternally His as God, but which He had to earn as man, earn by dying and being raised from the dead. Now as resurrected Lord He invites needy, sinful humans to believe in Him and to call on Him for mercy. He promises to meet their deepest needs, to pardon all their sins, to reconcile them to God, to give them eternal life, to impart to them the Holy Spirit, to be their constant earthly companion, helper, and comforter; and, He promises to supply all their needs in this world.

Over the centuries literally millions have called upon Christ and received all that I just named and much more, blessings beyond number or calculation. But, many more have foolishly perished as the result. One tragic example is the nation of Israel. Israel was the first people invited, but they refused in a most determined and persistent way. And look at what has become of them over the centuries!

Beloved friends, you are blessed to receive Christ's invitation. Don't be so foolish as to refuse to come to Him!