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A Simple Invitation

Being a Christian is so much more than keeping a tradition, wearing a label, or following a code of ethics. Jesus didn’t come to establish a religion, but to show us how to have a relationship with the Father. The focus of religion is on us—how we are supposed to behave in order to win God’s favor. God had a better idea! In His great love for us, He sent his Son with a simple invitation: Come follow Me! 

Jesus’ invitation wasn’t to join a church, to identify ourselves with bumper stickers, wear special jewelry, or whatever else we might think it is to be a Christian. He didn’t challenge us to behave, but He called us to believe and follow Him. His invitation was to live in a daily life-changing relationship with Him. 

Sometimes people in church wonder if a personal relationship with God is possible. Some wonder if God is even real. And so, with all our doubts, hurts, and brokenness, we set out in search of the good life. That is something that’s true for all of us: We all want a good life. Then, along comes Jesus with this invitation to follow Him. He calls Himself the Good Shepherd. He knows where the good pasture is and He calls out to us, “Follow Me!” When we hear that invitation and leave the path we’re on to follow Him, He leads us to those good pastures and we experience the life of joy and purpose God intended for us. 

I believe that once we hear the invitation of Jesus there is always a choice. We can keep on living our self-directed life, following our desires, our appetites, and chasing our dreams. Or, we can give that up and follow Christ and discover something deeper and richer than we ever imagined. 

In the Old Covenant, God related to the nation of Israel by putting some distance between Himself and His people because He is Holy. He put in place priests, the Ten Commandments, symbols, traditions, and festivals—basically a conditional, transactional relationship which was intended to point them to their need for a savior. A transactional relationship is saying something like, “If you do this, I’ll do that.” How often God’s people forgot and failed to keep their end of the bargain, yet God never stopped loving them. 

The Old Covenant leads up to this beautiful moment when Jesus came to earth and ushered in this new way of life. You have to realize it was something totally new! But, here’s the problem: If you try to live this new life Christ gives in the old way, under the Old Covenant, it will wear you out. It’s not what Jesus intended at all!

Under the New Covenant, Jesus showed up with a simple invitation—a new and wonderful way to relate to the Father. He invites you and me to turn from our self-directed way to follow Him. His life is exchanged for mine…all through Grace.