It is usually exciting to receive an invitation from someone who invites us to a special occasion or event. The excitement is usually centered around the one who invites us. The invitation suggest that the invitees are special and will add meaning to the celebration. If we received an invitation to the White House, I imagine we would be ecstatic. What if we were invited to a religious event? Would our adrenaline increase or decrease?

 An invitation is a request, a solicitation, or an attempt to get another person to join you at a specific event. If there was a birthday party for you or a friend, it is almost guaranteed you could entice others to come. We have become so comfortable in just getting up on Sunday mornings, dressing and going to church that we have forgotten what God expects and call us to do.    

During one of our Wednesday night Lenten Worship services, an invited minister preached a sermon from John 4 about the woman at the well. It was interesting and inspiring to hear something about this Samaritan woman other than her relationship with several men. She was a woman who met Jesus at the well and her life was changed forever. She wanted to know the truth about worshipping God. What was amazing is the fact that she dropped her water jar at the well and ran into the city and told everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” So, the people came from the city to see him. This woman did what so many of us are too intimidated or afraid to do. Just as this woman invited others to come and see, why can’t or don’t we invite others to join us to hear and see the gospel of Jesus Christ. This woman, for a while, gave up her duty of fetching water to extend an invitation.   

The question of the day is, when was the last time we invited someone to join us to hear the gospel message of good news? If we were to step out on faith, there is no telling how much the church would grow and lives transformed. It is unbelievable and inconceivable that we cannot influence or convince one person to come, see and hear. Are there persons on our jobs, in our communities, in our social groups, etc. who we could invite to join us on this spiritual journey?          

How often have we or do we extend an invitation to others to come and hear a message about this Savior of the world? How often do we tell others about His goodness and His love for humanity? When was the last time my brothers and sisters we invited a family member, friend or foe to come and meet this man named Jesus? If we invite others, they may just have an encounter that will be so incredible that they will begin to worship Him.       

What is intriguing about this passage of scripture is the fact that this Samaritan woman invited others to come and meet this man named Jesus. The Bible says that many believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” Others believed because they had heard about Him themselves. They were convinced He was indeed the Savior of the world.    

According to scripture, all Christians are disciples and all disciples are Christians. With that being said, all Christians are expected to make new disciples. Just imagine how powerful it would be if we could take responsibility for making just one new disciple.  

Let’s make sure we are inclusive in extending our invitations. May we be sensitive to the marginalized and the underprivileged. The Word says, “But, when you give a feast, invite the poor, the cripple, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Simply stated, no one should be excluded from hearing about Jesus.   

Take time to read the gospel of John 1 as we see the disciple Andrew invite his brother Simon to show him Jesus. When Jesus came to Phillip, he simply said, “Follow me” The invitation was too good to be true. Like Andrew bringing Simon to see Jesus, Phillip brought Nathaniel to see Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

Let’s not wait to invite family, friends and associates to Christmas and Easter services, why not start inviting today. We should marvel when an invitation is extended to someone else as they join you on your Christian journey.     

One of the greatest invitations can be found in Revelation 22:17: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him/her say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely.”

Come, join and join as we embark on our destiny of eternal life.

Just my thoughts!

Robert Earl Slade, Pastor