A Simple Invitation

Before I found a voice, You formed me where no eye could see. Your image gave this life its worth; I was known before I breathed. Still I crowned myself king and dug a well no hand could reach. I dressed self-rule in honest words, hid rebellion under strain, tried to pay a debt with effort, tried to rinse away the stain. No perfect prayer, no goodness I could prove, could raise my heart from darkness or reconcile me to You. The eternal Son stepped into our dust and days, truly God and truly human, sinless in the Father’s ways. He made the unseen Father known and touched the cast-aside; Love came close enough to carry what I could not make right. Jesus chose the cross before Him, bore the judgment meant for me. Sinless, You endured my sentence, mercy bleeding from the tree. His body lay in a rock-cut tomb; a great stone sealed the door. On the third day, He rose again. Now the living Savior reigns and pleads—the work is finished. Amen. A simple invitation: Come thirsty, come undone. Come empty-handed to Jesus; the saving work is done. Turn from every throne you've guarded. Trust the crucified, risen Son. A simple invitation— come receive the Living One. In my hunger, You are Bread; when I hide, You are Light. You are the Door; Good Shepherd, lead me through the night. Resurrection, at my graveside, You will call for me. Way home to the Father, Truth that teaches me to see. Life no death can silence; True Vine, keep my hope alive. Every gift is found in You; hold me near so I abide. I don't want Your gifts without You; You have borne my blame. Jesus, keep me near—mercy has a face and name. I lay down my defended guilt, the rule I claimed, the masks I wore. I rest my weight on Christ alone; I cannot earn an open door. By grace forgive me, call me child. Holy Spirit, make me new. Lead me through baptism's water; join me to Your faithful church. Root me in Your Word and prayer. Teach my hands to love, obey. When my changing feelings falter, Your finished work remains. A simple invitation: Come weary, come rest. Come drink the life the Spirit gives; bring Him your emptiness. No flawless prayer can save you. Turn and trust the King who bore your guilt; the saving work is done. A simple invitation— Jesus Himself, the Living One. You may not close each wound tonight or give me back what sorrow took, but You will raise Your people whole, just as Your living body rose. You reign, You plead, and You are coming to judge the dark and make things new. Raise the dead. Renew creation. All my hope is held in You. I came with nothing in my hands. A simple invitation— and mercy has a name: Jesus Christ.