The Power of an Invitation

When one thinks of an invitation, one may think a number of things. One may think of how simple it is to just invite someone to services or to a Bible study. It is, in fact, simple to say, “I’d like you to come to services this Sunday.” Nothing complicated in that is there? One may think of how easy it is. It just takes a few words. One must never think that it is a waste of time. Think back to the invitations given in the Bible. One may remember the invitation given to Naaman by the Israelite maid concerning his leprosy. “Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:3). Had he not been told what this young maiden had said, Naaman would never have been healed of his leprosy or come to know of God. We see the power of an invitation time and time again in the New Testament as well. Think back to the time when Andrew first met Jesus and his actions afterwards. “He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.” (John 1:41). If not for Andrew, Peter, one of the most influential men within the pages of the New Testament, may not have been the great speaker on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Just a few verses later, one can see the power of an invitation when Philip told Nathaniel concerning Christ, “Come and see.” (John 1:46). What about the power behind the great invitation which Christ gives to man today? While it is true that some may never answer the invitation, what about the person who would but is never asked? There is power behind something as simple as an invitation. Why not be willing to give one to someone you know or even someone you’ve just met?