Invitations of Jesus
While many different reasons motivate people to get involved, we've often heard a common sentiment: “This is what Jesus tells us to do.” Others might summarize it as a “sense of calling.”
Jesus fed the hungry, healed the sick, comforted the lonely, and showed compassion for the poor. He removed shame, giving sight to the blind and touching the leper. He met people where they were: fishermen in their boats, tax collectors at their booths, and prostitutes in the streets. He also spent time with his friends and disciples, growing to understand them deeply and even expressing his need for their companionship.
This is a model for us to follow. As we often say at our orientation and elsewhere, people with disabilities are too often grouped together and assumed to have the same needs and desires, masking their individuality. This is especially prevalent if your Partner lives in a group home or is involved in group activities run by their service agency. The question for us is not, “What do people with disabilities need?” It is, “What does my Partner need?”
Jesus not only asks us to do as he did, but he also goes further, associating himself with those who are overlooked and cast aside. In Matthew 25, he says, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Jesus adds, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Notice he says ONE, by the way.)
The Invitation of Jesus
Do For One Summer Prayer Night 2023
In the gospels, no matter what Jesus is doing or teaching, the message is relevant and different for each person, yet the common thread is one thing: he points not so much to the action steps, the ministry he started, or even the results. Everywhere he goes and everyone he interacts with, his invitation ultimately points to the same thing: himself.
In other words, he’s saying, you think it’s your hunger and thirst, but you will get hungry and thirsty again. What you actually need is me. He’s saying, “I am what you need – my invitation is for you to come to me, follow me, and remain in me.”
Let’s take a brief look at each of these invitations:
Come to Me: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30)
He says “come to me” and then he says “I will.” What will he do? He will give you rest. Too often I think after a long day of work or after time spent with someone who drains energy from me that I just need “me time” to indulge. But we must remember that, as enjoyable as a good Netflix show and a good meal after a hard day’s work is, Jesus can give us a deep kind of soul-rest that those things can never provide.
Follow Me: Jesus said, "Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people" - Jesus (Matthew 4:19).
When Jesus says, "Come, follow me," we might say, “But I’m not ready,” or “I can’t do what you’re asking me to do.” We must pay close attention to the second part of the invitation. He also says, "I will send you out." You don't need to know everything about where Jesus is going to lead you. You only need to know the first step, take it, and then he will show you the next one. You don’t send yourself out; simply follow Jesus. He will send you, equip you, and shape you along the way. Just go.
I had no idea Do For One would grow into what it is today when I first invited a few friends over to my apartment to reflect and pray for the needs of people with disabilities in the city. If I had known, I might have been overwhelmed and shied away from doing it. One thing led to another, and God strengthened me along the way. He says, “Follow me… and I will…” Take the first step.
Remain in Me: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you.” - Jesus (John 15:4)
The ever-present comfort and help of Jesus is available at all times. Remaining in him means having a prayer life, to seek understanding in sacred scripture, and be aware of his abiding presence. And what will he do? He will remain in us. He will be with us when we feel misunderstood, overlooked, overworked, and the companionship of a close and perfect friend will be with us daily.
Jesus, to us, is like the sun to plant life. He is the key energy source from which all the good in our life flows. We must keep our eyes fixed on him.
Consider the story of Peter walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33). When his eyes were fixed on Jesus, he didn’t even notice the boisterous winds and the miracle that God enabled him to do: walk on water! But when he looked around and started noticing what Jesus was enabling him to do, he stumbled.
For you and me, our concern is not so much about the things God will do through us. Rather, it is about understanding this deep calling, his invitation that nothing good can truly come into this world except when we learn to be loving channels of Jesus, the light of the world, to do this we take heed to Jesus calling us to come, follow, and remain.
Blessings,
Andrew