Jesus includes everyone… so we should include others.

Hey Bridge family!
Can you imagine someone getting invited to the event of the century and tuning it down? Something so grand, so magnificent, unquestionably beyond wonder and amazement, and yet they say, no. To quote Vizzini, in the Princess Bride, that’s “Inconceivable!” Yet, it’s sadly not! That is precisely what we read about in our Bridge message this week as Jesus responds to the comment, What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God’ (Luke 14:15b NLT).

To be clear in our parable, Christ is doing the inviting, Heaven is the banquet, and the Jewish people are the ones who decline. Maybe you wonder why? But if you think about it, is it really all that hard to imagine? You see, those declining the invitation are very much like the Rich Young Ruler, who feels that his lifestyle and position make him worthy, but Jesus says, ‘No, that is not the case; you need to respond when called.’ This is an incredible distinction that we need to ensure our children understand. Jesus will one day come to them and extend the invitation of a lifetime, and they will need to make a choice.

Therefore, as parents, we need to make it clear that attending church, praying, and reading the Bible prepare our hearts to accept His invitation. They do not get us into Heaven. Share how you responded to Christ’s invitation with your family sometime. Chances are that if you ponder it for a while, you can easily share how you went from believing in your own abilities to get to Heaven to your gratitude in hearing His invitation. I can think of no better way to include others than by revealing how Christ included you in His Kingdom.

Remember, it’s never too late to engage. As long as your child is at home, you have an excellent opportunity to share the Bible together. Focus on exploring its stories, discussing applications to daily life, and nurturing deeper conversations as a family. This makes faith an exciting and meaningful adventure. God Bless, and I hope to see your family on Sunday.

Pastor Bob