Invite Jesus

Many years ago, when Johnny Carson was the host of The Tonight Show, he interviewed an eight-year-old boy who had rescued two friends from a coal mine near his hometown in West Virginia. As they talked, it became clear that the young boy was a Christian. At one point Johnny asked him whether he attended Sunday school. He said he did. So Johnny followed up: "What are you learning in Sunday school?"

"Last week our lesson was about when Jesus went to a wedding and turned water into wine."

The audience howled, but Johnny managed to keep a straight face. "And what did you learn from that story?"

The boy squirmed a little — it was apparent he hadn't thought about this. But then he lifted his face and said, "If you're going to have a wedding, make sure you invite Jesus!"

So funny. But also so true.

That little boy stumbled onto something profound. It's not just weddings that are better with Jesus at the center — it's friendships, marriages, families, workplaces, neighborhoods. Wherever we bring his presence, there is the possibility of transformation. The question worth asking today is simply this: which relationship in your life most needs that invitation?

Prayer: God of hope, we invite you into our relationships again this day. Bind us closer to one another and closer to you. We ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

‍