Come just as you are

As we ponder over the wedding banquet this week, I'm wondering whether all the people who turned down the invitation did it solely on the usual mantra, I'm busy? Of course some refused to attend because the timing was wrong, or the place was wrong. But could it possibly also be that others refused to honour the invitation because they thought they don't deserve to be invited to such a prestigious banquet? 


The Excuse
Is yours the usual mantra, I'm busy? Many of us believe we already have too much on our plate and can’t accept any more responsibility, not God’s work. We should be guided by the disciples; they were full time fishermen, not some gap year students on holiday to kill time or some couple on retirement having a nice time in some sun city. It is said that if you want a job done, give it someone who is busy. It is the busy people whom Jesus want.


Is your excuse I'l love to do it but the timing is wrong? I've just got this job and I need to be on top of the game to move up the promotional ladder. Or just got married or have got a young family? Nothing wrong with coming with the family; wife/husband and children. Those disciples were with their families when they accepted the invitation to follow Christ.  


Is your past haunting you? I think some of us by looking at our past mistakes, upbringing, stature, educational background, class, place of abode, etc. we've arrived at a conclusion that we have no use for Christ. And if that is ever true then Christ wouldn't have chosen those Twelve with varying characters. "For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many might, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence". 1 Corinthians 1:26-29. 


When Jesus chose the Twelve to be His official representatives, and to carry His message, not a single of them was a Rabbi. He didn't choose a Scribe. He didn't choose a Pharisee. He didn't choose a Sadducee. He selected twelve simple, ordinary working-class men. Worthless nobodies are just the kind of people God uses. So I say to you, come just as you are. The transformation is in the hands of the Potter. 


O Lamb of God, I come, I come.