Jesus Invites You In…

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“I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1

I remember a time when going to church was a chore.  I was a boy that more than one of my teachers posited might be somewhat “hyperactive,” and sitting through long liturgies and sermons was not my idea of a good time.

I distinctly remember many trivial details of our sanctuary; the blonde colored wooden pews, the ornate high hanging light fixtures, the high arching beams.  But was I “glad… to go to the house of the Lord?”  Not so much.

What changed for me?  I still worship in pretty much the same sanctuary with the same pews, lights, and beams.  But somewhere in my spiritual journey I met Jesus.  Jesus invited me into His presence, into His family, into His love.

And when I go into the church, I sense His presence everywhere.  In the Word, in the Sacrament, among His people, His body.  Jesus invited me in, and I am glad.  I am glad to hear Him, see Him, feel Him, be with Him.  I am glad when He says to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.”

Jesus invites you in, also.  Not just into a building or a gathering of people.  But into a living, loving relationship with Him.  He welcomes you into His presence and there you will find rest for your soul.  There you can sit quietly and talk with the most wonderful Friend and Lord in the universe.

Dear Jesus, thank you for inviting me into Your presence, into Your house.  Open my eyes to see You in Your Word, Your Supper, Your body.  Thank you that you love me and that you opened the door to You  and the Father through Your cross.  Amen.

Picture and Text Copyright Steve Nickodemus