There is a verse in the Bible that sings so beautifully. It is Revelation 22:17 and says:
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.”
And let everyone who hears say, “Come.”
And let everyone who is thirsty come.
Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.
This is an invitation from the Holy Spirit and the Church. It is an invitation to enjoy fellowship with God, to experience the Love of all loves, to connect with the Source of all goodness. The invitation is to “whosoever will.”
We don’t use words like “whosoever” so much anymore. It’s sort of King James-y. Words like whosoever, moreover, nevertheless, and notwithstanding are funky compounds that feel like linguistic speedbumps in otherwise simple ideas.
But I LOVE the phrase whosoever will. It means this is for anybody and everybody. It means everybody’s a somebody in God’s eyes. This is, of course, an unconditional thing. God loves you whether you love God or not, whether you care to notice or not. Saying yes to the invitation brings a feeling of rest. There’s no place like home.
This invitation to serenity is offered in the last book of the Bible, the not so scary after all book of Revelation. Prior, we have heard from the Old Testament characters, the prophets and judges and sages, and we’ve heard from the disciples and Paul and from Jesus Himself inviting all people to partake forgiveness and healing and hope. But NOW, Jesus has ascended to Heaven, and the invitation comes with the seal of the Holy Spirit and the fragrance of the beautiful bride of Christ.
So, the invitation is TO everyone, and the invitation is FROM the Spirit and the Bride, the third person of the Trinity and the Church. It’s God loving the world through us.
I love being the Church with you.
Happy Pentecost Sunday,
Pastor Kim