The message of the kingdom is always an invitation, never an imposition. In the Scriptures, this invitation is wrapped up in the word come.
“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost” (Isaiah 55:1).
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
“But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, ‘Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:14).
Jesus said, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet, he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.‘ “ (Luke 14:16-17). The next few verses list the excuses as the invitees begged off. The story continues … “Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet‘ “ (Luke 14:21-24).
Here is a miracle of Jesus that includes an invitation to come. “He said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Get up and come forward!’ And He said to them, ‘Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?’ But they kept silent. After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored” (Mark 3:3-5).
“Nathanael said to Philip, ‘Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see’ “ (John 1:46).
The Samaritan woman extended this invitation to experience the kingdom to her neighbors. “Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?” (John 4:29).
“Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink’ “ (John 7:37).
“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost” (Revelation 22:17).
The promise of Isaiah 55:1 has been fulfilled. Let all who respond to the invitation come and drink from the water of life without cost.
Come and see. The King is inviting you into His kingdom.