R.S.V.P.

We typically put R.S.V.P. instructions at the bottom of invitations.  The folks putting the party, or the reception, together really need to know how many are coming.  Otherwise they don't know how many seats to save and how much food to order.  They also want to know the names so they can fashion name tags and assemble party favors that are personalized.  I suppose wedding receptions, formal dinner parties and children's birthdays are three examples of functions like this.  Of course R.S.V.P. is from the French: Respondez-Vous, S'il Vous Plait ("Please get back to us").  There are two critical pieces to an R.S.V.P.  One piece is the phone number to call, or address to send your reply (sometimes they're good enough to include a stamped return envelope).  The othe piece is the deadline...sometime in advance of the party...to make your response.  Jesus is sending you an invitation to His wedding.  Interestingly...He also is inviting you to be His Bride at the same time!  But He isn't going to force you to come.  He demonstrated His great love for you by paying the price you never could pay when He gave up His life on the cross long ago.  He also showed that He was the victor by conquering death and ultimately returning to His Father in heaven.  And He is sending out an invitation to join Him, after you also pass through the gateway of death.  But He has included R.S.V.P. instructions at the bottom of the invitation.  He's looking for a personal reply, so you'll need to pray (no stamped envelopes here!).  He only wants people to come who really grasp His love for them on a personal level...so I hope you understand that!  The interesting thing about this R.S.V.P. is the deadline.  If you haven't responded yet...and feel that you are ready...and sense Jesus inviting you...then today is the day to respond.  You just don't know about tomorrow!  (By the way...if you respond you'll discover that there are plenty of benefits even before the party begins!)

 

Matthew 22:⁴ Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding."

 

blessings (hope to see you there!),

Rob Smith