My daughter-in-law invited me to a crafting party she had been invited to. The other invited guests were her mom and sisters (all of whom I knew and am close to) as well as another mutual friend. The only person I did not know was the lady who was hosting the party.
My daughter-in-law was sure the hostess would not mind if I came along too. So, my daughter-in-law texted her friend, the hostess of the party and asked if I could come along to the crafting party too. The hostess graciously responded: “Yes.”
I was a party-crasher!
I’ve never been a “party-crasher” before.
The crafting party was so much fun!
The hostess was so kind and gracious! She was such a warm, welcoming lady.
She had a table full of wonderful goodies and treats all prepared for us: mini tacos in a crock-pot, with salsa, chips, and guacamole; crackers, salami, different cheeses, and fresh hot artichoke dip; grapes and fresh veggies; chocolate-covered pretzels and brownies.
We all sat around her dining table and worked on our own individual crafting projects we each had brought. I had brought a project I’m working on for our precious little friends up in Alaska. I’m re-purposing cute calendar pages from several years’ worth of old calendars to make a little book for them.
My daughter-in-law sat next to me and she was working on a beading project; her mom had brought some mending to do; the hostess was doing some quilting; my daughter-in-law’s older sister was working on making some notecards, while her other sister was working on a crochet project; and our mutual friend was hand-knitting a blanket for her daughter.
It was great fun to see the different crafting projects we each were working on. They were all such different projects. And the uniqueness made the whole crafting party fun.
We sat and chatted all afternoon, as we worked on our projects together. The hostess’s daughter called to join the party via phone … and she worked on her own project from halfway across the country while visiting with us as we worked on our projects around the dining table.
It was such a wonderful afternoon together. I was so thankful my daughter-in-law invited me to be a “party-crasher.” I was so thankful the hostess welcomed me into her home and welcomed me to her crafting party.
I couldn’t help but think of the Biblical account of when Andrew first began following Jesus – “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.” – John 1:41-42
“Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote – Jesus of Nazareth … Come and see.” – John 1:45-46
The very first disciples who were invited by Jesus to follow him and join his “party” (so to speak) immediately turned around and invited those closest to them to come too! Come and see! Andrew invited his brother Simon (Peter) to be a “party-crasher.” Philp invited Nathanael to be a “party-crasher.”
And Jesus welcomed them!
Jesus was more than happy to have them join his “party.”
So also, in the same way, Jesus is still welcoming people to join his party. Today, those of us who love and follow Jesus Christ still invite others whom we know to join the “party.” Come and see! Come with me to the “Jesus party.” Come be a “party-crasher.”
Someone might ask: “Would Jesus really want me to come join his party?? Would Jesus really want me to be a party-crasher??”
Jesus answers: Yes! You are more than welcome to come join my party.
Just like the hostess of the crafting party warmly welcomed me into her home, so also Jesus warmly welcomes people into his heavenly home. Just like the hostess of the crafting party had a wonderful table full of goodies and treats all ready for us, so also Jesus has wonderful amazing goodies and treats awaiting those who will join him at his great party!
“The Holy Spirit and the followers of Jesus Christ say, ‘Come!’ … Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” – Revelation 22:17
Jesus says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
“Jesus spoke in parables saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come. … Then he said to his servants, “The wedding banquet is ready … Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find” … and the wedding hall was filled with guests.’” – Matthew 22:1-10
Jesus speaking in parables: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ … Then the owner ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
“’Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’
“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.’” – Luke 14:16-23
Looking into the future, at the end of all time, we see:
“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: ‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb [Jesus Christ] has come, and his bride [all the followers of Jesus] has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.’ (Fine linen stand for the righteous acts of the saints.)
“Then the angel said to me, ‘Write: “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”
You are invited to the great party!
Just like my daughter-in-law invited me to be a “party-crasher” at the crafting party … so also I am now inviting you to join the “Jesus party” and be a “party-crasher” to the great party in heaven!
Jesus says: “Come! You are more than welcome!”
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” – 1 Corinthians 2:9
Come join the party!
