Have you ever been so excited about something that you just couldn't keep it to yourself? Maybe it was a delicious new restaurant, an incredible vacation spot, or even a life-changing experience. That's exactly how I feel about the good news of Jesus Christ, especially during this Christmas season. As we continue our "Jesus With Us" series, I want to share with you the power of invitation and how it can create a ripple effect that changes lives.
The Best News Ever
John 1:35-39 tells us about the very first followers of Jesus and how they began inviting others to experience Him. It starts with John the Baptist, who declares to his disciples, "Look, there is the Lamb of God" (John 1:36). This simple statement sets off a chain reaction of invitations that would ultimately change the course of history.
As Jesus walked by, two of John's disciples decided to follow Him. When Jesus noticed them, He asked a profound question: "What do you want?" (John 1:38). Think about that for a moment. If Jesus asked you that question today, how would you respond? What is the deepest desire of your heart?
Jesus doesn't demand an immediate answer. Instead, He invites them to "Come and see" (John 1:39). This invitation is at the heart of the Christian faith. Jesus doesn't force Himself on anyone; He simply invites us to experience Him for ourselves.
The Ripple Effect Begins
What happens next is truly remarkable. We see a ripple effect of invitations:
1. Andrew finds his brother Simon and brings him to Jesus (John 1:41-42)
2. Jesus finds Philip and tells him to follow (John 1:43)
3. Philip finds Nathanael and invites him to "come and see" (John 1:45-46)
Each person who encounters Jesus can't help but share the good news with others. It's like they've discovered the best-kept secret in the world and can't wait to tell everyone about it.
Overcoming Skepticism
I love the interaction between Philip and Nathanael. When Philip tells Nathanael they've found the Messiah from Nazareth, Nathanael responds skeptically, "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" (John 1:46). We all have that friend who's a bit cynical, don't we?
But Philip doesn't argue or try to convince Nathanael. He simply says, "Come and see for yourself" (John 1:46). That's the beauty of inviting others to experience Jesus. We don't have to have all the answers or be perfect evangelists. We just need to invite people to come and see for themselves.
The Promise of Greater Things
When Nathanael finally meets Jesus, he's amazed by Jesus' supernatural knowledge. But Jesus promises him something even greater: "You will see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man" (John 1:51). This reference to Jacob's dream in Genesis 28 points to Jesus as the ultimate connection between heaven and earth.
That's the hope of Christmas – God sending His Son into the world to bridge the gap between our sin and God's grace. It's an invitation to a life of purpose, peace, and fulfillment that only Jesus can provide.
The Power of Personal Invitation
Did you know that 86% of people come to church because of a personal invitation? That's an incredible statistic! There's something powerful about word-of-mouth invitations, especially when they come from someone we know and trust.
The Apostle Paul puts it this way in Romans 10:14-15: "But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, 'How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!'"
Putting It Into Practice
As we approach Christmas Eve, I want to challenge you to think about your own faith map. Who shared the truth and hope of Christmas with you? Take a moment to write down their names and thank God for them.
Now, consider who you could invite to experience Jesus this Christmas. Here are some practical steps:
1. Pray for opportunities to invite others
2. Use the provided social media graphics to invite friends and family to our Christmas Eve services
3. Practice your invitation – remember, the worst they can say is no
4. Share your personal experience of how Jesus has changed your life
Remember, following Jesus naturally leads to inviting others along. The peace and hope of Jesus is too good not to share. This Christmas, let's create a ripple effect of invitation that can change lives for eternity.