Inviting someone to a party takes effort on our part, right? We have to create invitations and mail them out. We must let people know that there is a place for them at the party we are hosting. Without an invitation, how will they know that they have been invited? They won't. We have to take the time to invite them to know that we want them to be a part of the party we are planning. In the same way, when it comes to our faith, we have the responsibility of spreading the good news of Christ and letting others know that they are invited to be a part of the family of God. The question is, will we step out and invite them?
Right before His return to heaven, Jesus called His followers to commit their lives to sharing His invitation to follow Him to everyone around them in Matthew 28. He said to His followers, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth" (verse 18). By saying this, Jesus was explaining to them that they could obey and follow Him because He had all authority. He continued with His command, "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you (verses 19-20). In His last moments with His followers, Jesus told His followers to continue spreading His name and mission so that others would receive His invitation to follow Him and receive eternal life by placing their faith in Him. His command came with it a promise: "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (verse 20). As we go and make Christ known, we have the promise of His presence that He is with us. Because of that, we can have peace.
The command that Jesus gave His disciples to go and make more disciples is still for us today. Still today, we are called to make more disciples who make disciples. We are called to make Christ known to everyone around us. Unfortunately, many of us have let other things become more important than spreading the name of Jesus. We must not neglect this vitally important command. After all, making Christ known is the most important thing that we can do as followers of Christ.
How can you reach out to someone with the hope of Christ? Maybe you can share your two-minute story of the difference Christ has made in your life, practice, and share the Bridge Diagram with someone who needs the hope of Christ, or invite someone to come to church with you this weekend. Whatever you decide, make every effort to reach out to that person, letting them know that the invitation to place their faith in Christ is available for them.
1Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.
2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.
5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”
8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”
11 As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. 12 A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. 13 They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ 14 If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.” 15 So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.
16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
