This world is full of exclusive clubs and carefully curated inner circles. Box seats. VIP access. Private dining rooms. It’s not what you know, but who you know, they say. The elites guard the gate with vigilance. Getting the invite—that’s the key. And only the worthy get in.
Aren’t you glad Jesus isn’t like that? Just look at who He welcomes into His inner circle! Fishermen. Tax collectors. Doubters. Betrayers. Far from an exclusive club, Jesus will let just about anyone in. And that’s good news for people like you and me.
But it would be a mistake to think that Jesus has low standards. He is holy. To be in His inner circle, we too must be holy as He is holy. So Jesus draws us to Himself, with all our broken imperfections, and by His Spirit and through His grace, begins making us like Himself. One day we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. We shall be transformed into His glorious likeness forever.
Herein is the wonder of the Gospel: Jesus loves us just as we are, and loves us too much to leave us as we are. He brings us into the inner circle and then makes us into the kind of people who belong there. It’s the most inclusive and exclusive opportunity. Getting the invite—that’s the key. And only the unworthy get in.
Who would have ever thought we’d be loved, more than we know?
