“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.“

2 Corinthians 5:18-21

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October 16, 2025

Jesus’ message is, “Everyone is invited to the banquet in the kingdom. The seats have been paid for, the meal’s being prepared, and there’s a place for you—no matter who you are—if you’ll accept the invitation and come.” This is an offer that changes everything!

Even if we’ve lived in ignorance, indifference, or in opposition to the King’s rule in the past, He invites us to His palace to make peace—to embrace a relationship of mutual affection. God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. God invites us to a regal feast and to become friends with Him.

And when we say “yes” to the invitation, we’re offered a simultaneous and striking proposition: To become royal representatives who extend this same invitation to others. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors.

I like the way Bob Goff summarizes it in his book Love Does: As ambassadors of Christ, you and I should think of ourselves as “more like the ushers rather than the bouncers” to the magnificent meal. Think about it. Every person you lock eyes with through your day—in your family, among your friends, from your neighborhood, at your school or workplace—they’re all invited, and there’s still more room. It’s not our job to speculate who might or might not want to come, to sort people into categories of “more likely to respond” or “less deserving of a seat at the table.” We don’t decide who will or won’t get in. It’s our job—our privilege and responsibility—simply to extend the invitation.

We are Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. His offer of reconciliation—of restored relationship—gets squeezed through our lives to others. Our actions (a ministry of service to be done) and our words (a message to be communicated) are the means through which God says, “Come. There’s a place with your name on it.” God delivers His envelopes through us.

Does the King have some mail for you to get out today? Do you have some envelopes and packages to deliver in the coming weeks and months to the people in the wide variety of places and stations you visit? God was in Christ inviting people home to Himself. Now Christ is in you and me, extending God’s invitation to others: “You’re invited; there’s still more room!”

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • How has God extended His appeal to you through others? Are there 1-2 individuals who especially attracted you to Christ by their words or actions?
  • It’s been said, “Every Christian is an ambassador of Christ, either influencing others toward or away from Him”. Who is Jesus according to those who are observing you?
  • How might the Holy Spirit appeal to others to look to Christ through you?

Church Reading Plan: 1 Kings 19; 1 Thessalonians 2