One of the words that best captures the love of Jesus is the word proximity. At Christmas, we celebrate that Jesus loved us enough to come be with us. That’s what Emmanuel means, “God with us.” The incarnation of Christ, Jesus coming to earth, makes it clear that the way He loved required proximity. In the Parable of the Great Banquet, Jesus warns the religious not to refuse the invitation of living in proximity with Him. As believers, our proximity to God’s heart reflects our proximity to those He loves. The Master in the parable made it adamant that the house has more room- there is nobody exluded from an invitation. But extending the invitation requires going where the people are- to the streets and alleys, the roads and country lanes with the compelling love of Christ.
