Extending the Invitation

There are few things on earth as powerful as a simple invitation. In John chapter 1, Jesus interacted with four people and gave each one an invitation to follow him. His interaction serves as a model for us today as we invite people to receive God’s grace. 

Invite the seeker to explore. The story begins with two men who followed Jesus because they heard John the Baptist speaking highly of him. They wanted to scope Jesus out, but they were too timid to ask him their questions directly. Instead, they asked, “Teacher, where are you staying?” Jesus replied, “Come and you will see” (John 1:38–39). He took them back to where he was staying, and they shared a meal together. 

Jesus didn’t force himself on them, but instead, he let them meander around his house and just be with him. These men were seekers—open to God but not yet convinced that they could trust him—so Jesus invited the seekers to explore. He intentionally created a safe environment for spiritual exploration. 

This is critical for those who want to know more but aren’t yet sure what they believe. The key is to create time and space to just be together. Work on a project together or grab lunch together. During this time, allow the seeker to see you as you truly are—imperfect, flawed, but honest in your pursuit of God. Authenticity and vulnerability will create the opportunity for deeper conversation. 

Invite ordinary people into an extraordinary life. Next, Jesus was introduced to Simon, and the first thing Jesus did was change his name. He said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (John 1:42). 

What was Jesus up to? The name Simon was a very common Hebrew name at the time, but Cephas, or Peter, was unique. It meant “the rock.” He was calling out of Peter a new identity, inviting him to leave behind the safe, ordinary life of catching fish. He could be average, everyday Simon—or he could be The Rock. Which would you choose? 

Everyone around you is searching for a bigger purpose and following God is exciting, so hint at that excitement throughout your conversation, and allow the adventure of God to draw others in. 

Invite the outsider into community. Then, Jesus met Philip. Interestingly, Philip was from the same village where Andrew and Peter came from. Andrew went and found Peter, but it seemed no one thought to go tell Philip. Instead, Jesus himself decided to go to Galilee and track Philip down (John 1:43). Philip was the only one mentioned who was directly pursued by Jesus and seemingly forgotten by everyone else. Maybe Philip was an outsider. Maybe he was the type of guy who didn’t have a long list of close friends. Do you know anyone like that? 

All around you, at your job and in your neighborhood, there are people who are longing for real community. They want to be known. They want to build friendship. But they’re waiting for a simple invitation. If you would invite them to go with you to church or come over for dinner, they would jump at the opportunity. 

Invite the skeptic into a personal encounter. Lastly, Jesus met Nathanael. When Nathanael heard about Jesus, he was skeptical. His first reaction was to ask, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). Nathanael knew Nazareth was a poor town that was hardly mentioned in the prophetic Scriptures, so when he met Jesus, his guard was up. 

“Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, ‘Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael said to him, ‘How do you know me?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.’ Nathanael answered him, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God!’” (John 1:47–49). 

This is interesting. When dealing with a skeptic, Jesus didn’t seem to directly answer any of Nathanael’s concerns. He didn’t explain how he was originally from Bethlehem, the prophesied birthplace of the coming Savior. He didn’t tell Nathanael about the virgin birth, the wise men, or the star that rested over the manger. Instead, he told Nathanael that he had seen him under a fig tree. 

What does that mean? What was Nathanael doing under that tree that was relevant in this moment, and why would Jesus bring that up? The truth is, we don’t know. We have no idea why that fact was relevant. Only Jesus and Nathanael knew, and it was so personal and so relevant that mentioning it to Nathanael transformed a staunch skeptic into a passionate believer in an instant. 

Do you know any skeptics in your life? God can soften their hearts with one personal encounter. Do you know any outsiders or seekers? Do you know anyone who is bored with the mundane routines of an ordinary life? What could happen in their lives if you just extended an invitation? 

Begin with daily prayer, asking God for open doors of opportunity and divine wisdom. Live in the midst, cultivating honest relationship with those in your circle of influence who are far from God. Learn their stories, and build honest, humble relationships. Look for kairos moments where the conversation can turn to deeper things, and step out and share about your encounter with grace. Then humbly, courageously extend an invitation. 

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