Will You Invite Me In?

Matthew 25:35-36

For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;   naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’

As we come into the Christmas season this verse deserves a closer look. Today is Black Friday, shoppers everywhere in North America are scrambling to buy items that have been discounted by retailers. The retailers are hoping for a lot of people to buy what they have and push their sales to higher numbers than last year.

Christmas is a just over a month away, many will be looking forward to opening gifts. The Christmas season can bring out the best and the worst in people. Some gladly give and give with joy. We see kids excited about the prospect of opening every gift, hoping for something good to be in those packages.

There will be those who will have more of a “Bah Humbug” attitude.

I can remember many a family Christmas. Seeing the tree surrounded by gifts. Stocking waiting to be emptied on Christmas morning. An abundance of treats to be enjoyed through the day. The Christmas dinner, or should I say feast.

Christmas is for families they say. Christmas is a time for giving, words often repeated by everyone.

Ask yourself, do we really give?

Christmas can be a tough time for some people, having memories of loved ones who have past. There are families that have broken apart.

Have you considered those who are alone? What about the widow? The new comers to the area?

Now I want us to think of the passage that I opened with. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;   naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’

Is this passage real to you, I mean does it fill you with a desire to help others, to open the door and let them into your life, even your home? Look at the people that are represented in that passage. So many lonely, needy people. Look around you, do you see them?

We are to be giving not just at Christmas but everyday of the year.  I ask you, how much do we give? How often do we look at our neighbours, not just next door or across the street, but also within our community.

We understand the heart ache that people can feel and live through at Christmas. Jesus would invite them in. Jesus would visit them. Why don’t we?

This isn't just a surface thought, it isn't empty words that people will say to sound gracious.

If more Christians would be more Christ like what a different world we would have.

Look at the Christmas celebrations in whatever form they have been over the time of your life. Consider those around you who may not be as blessed as you are.  Think of these words “For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in,”

Will you be one to give an invite in to one person, or more? What about visiting shut ins and singing Christmas carols.

We are blessed to be a blessing, who will you bless this Christmas? Who will you invite in?

We are to live by the example that Jesus gave us. He visited the sick, the lonely, befriended the ones who had no friends.

I also want you to consider what Jesus said in Revelation 3.

Rev 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

Do you hear Jesus knocking at the door? Do you hear Him asking to come in. Now re-read the passage I opened with. Will you reach out and help those who are the lonely and forgotten ones.

I challenge anyone who is reading this to be open to those who are quiet and won’t speak out for themselves. Feed, refresh, clothe or visit, or all. Reach out to those and do it as Jesus would do!

Will You Invite Me In?