Intersections: Where Faith Meets Life – by Bob Weathers

Before Nov. 24, hardly anyone in America had heard of Tareq and Michaele Salahi. But now they are both famous. And infamous.

Bob Weathers

Of course, the Salahis are the couple who crashed President Obama’s first White House State Dinner. They had no invitations and were not on the official guest list. But they strolled right in. They shook hands with the president, mugged for photos with the vice president, and mingled with other diplomats and military officers.

Startling, to say the least. The White House is guarded and filtered by the world’s best-trained personal security force, the Secret Service. Their priority mission is to keep people out of the White House and away from the president. But somehow, the Salahis made it in.

But before dinner began, they slipped out. Why? Because the seating for the dinner was assigned to people with actual invitations. So they could gain entry on pretense. But being able to stay? Well, you must have a place at the table.

The Salahis’ eventful visit to the halls of power echoes a biblical scenario depicted in the words of Jesus. He described a day when people would come to him and plead for recognition. But he will say to them, “I never knew you. Depart from me” (Matthew 7:21-23).

Party crashers. Religious people, that is. People who dress the part and stroll around with believers and seem to know and do the right things. But Jesus put it in perspective. Though they come to the party, they don’t have a place at the table. The banquet is prepared for those who truly and sincerely respond to the invitation to follow Christ. The place cards have their names. No party crashers at the table.

And God has a staff, too. Yet, rather than keep people out, God’s staff is charged with letting people in. All people. Any people. He established the Church to let people know they are invited. Not to keep people away, but to give them an audience with God. Anyone and everyone who repents, accepts his grace, and follows Christ has a place at the table.

So, are you a pretender? A party crasher? Or did you truly answer the call of God’s grace in Christ?

You did? Then welcome to the party.