For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

 

John and Tanya got married and their wedding was anything but ordinary.

 

Instead of inviting just their closest friends and family, John and Tanya decided they wanted absolutely everyone to join in celebrating their love. They printed out thousands of invitations and gave them to anyone they met– homeless people, widows, street children–all kinds of strangers.

 

Over a thousand people from all walks of life gathered to witness their celebration. Afterward, John and Tanya served a chicken dinner to all their guests and then danced and sang until late into the night. Their love was overflowing, joyful and contagious. It was also motivated by their relationships with Jesus Christ.

 

Some say that love and faith should be a private matter. But Jesus’s last words before He ascended into heaven were, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18). In essence: Bring everyone!

 

Jesus was driven by love to leave comfort and unbroken fellowship with God to reach those who didn’t know God’s love. His ministry, death, and resurrection were all about inviting us into a relationship with Him and the freedom, peace, and love only He can offer. The Bible says, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17).

 

Today, Jesus is not only inviting us to hear His message, but He has also commissioned His followers as joyful messengers to invite others. We’re now part of a love story that’s bigger than this world, inviting everyone to experience God’s love.