I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine. Song of Solomon 6:3

Imagine you have a friend that invites you to a party. But this is not just any party, it is the party of the century. It is glamorous and fancy and everyone wants to go, and you are your friend’s plus one. All your other friends cannot believe your luck; they are envious of the invitation.

There is buzz all over TV and Radio about the expanding guest list and the fancy preparations.

The day of the party arrives and you are nervous but excited. Nervous because you do not want to embarrass your friend. Excited for the experience and the witnessing of something new and incredible.

You find some literature on the internet to read on the expectations of similar parties. There were certain rules of conduct and ways to do things which you need to follow.

But now all the preparations have been made and you are all dressed and ready to go. Anticipation builds as your friend pulls up to your house in a limousine. You climb in and your friend offers you some expensive champagne for the ride to the party, compliments of the host.

You make small talk on the way to the party. You are staring out the window at the city which seems so different from the backseat of luxury, your friend relaxed and full of excitement.  

As you pull up, and the door to the limo is opened, you step out onto the red carpet and the accompanying cacophony. The paparazzi are taking pictures and yelling inaudible questions, people are putting microphones in your face and the buzz of camera shutters are all around. Your friend fields some questions. He is smiling and enjoying the moment.

You feel a little awkward and out of place, so you move in closer to your friend who understands this world so much better.

Smiling and waving at the crowd, your friend gently grabs your elbow and leads you down the red carpet and into the building. As the doors shut, you can think again. You are in the entrance to a grand theatre and music is coming from inside. Your friend just smiles and strolls toward the series of twenty-foot tall mahogany doors in front of you. As you reach for the handle, your friend redirects you toward the door in the center of all the other doors; you are to enter down the main aisle.

When you enter, the music stops, the crowd shifts and gives a standing ovation. You begin clapping and turn toward your friend, confused as to why they were all celebrating him; he never told you he was the reason for the party.

Astonished, you see that your friend is clapping for you.

You look around and realize all these people are clapping for you. It slowly dawns on you that the celebration is for you. You are not just a guest. You are the guest. The guest of honor at the biggest celebration….

And that is what the Kingdom of Heaven is like.

You are not just a plus one, dressed up in fancy clothes and snuck into the party through the back entrance, hoping no one recognizes that you don’t belong. You are not a piece of garbage whose presence is barely tolerated. You are not there on a technicality. You are not a cosmic mistake.

You are adopted through Christ, with all the rights and privileges herein. That is fact. But you are so much more.

You are the Father’s beloved child. He personally puts the robe on your back and the rings on your fingers. He orders the fatted calf to be prepared and the party to be thrown. He loves you because you are the only you He ever created. He loves you because you matter. He loves you because you belong.