Who to invite? That’s the big question. When we’re organising an event, we don’t want to waste our time inviting people who aren’t going to come, right? It would just be pestering them, right? And just between you and me, there’s some people we don’t want to come – right?
We do this limitation of invitation with parties and events, and we do it with the gospel too. We know our circle of Christians, and when it comes to inviting to church, to Alpha, or to read the Bible together, we try to think of one or two who is on the edge of it or ‘Christian-adjacent.’ Often there’s not many to choose from and we conclude ‘I have no-one to invite.’ Well, perhaps an 845-year-old can convince us otherwise?
In 1219, during the Fifth Crusade, the walled city of Damietta in Egypt was under siege by the Crusader army. The intense battle had been deadlocked for over a year when Francis of Assisi arrived. To the astonishment of the army, he took a solitary young assistant and went unarmed across enemy lines and straight into the camp of the powerful Sultan Al-Kamil, nephew of the fierce and legendary Saladin. No-one expected to see him alive again.
Impressed by his peaceful courage, Francis was granted access to the Sultan. It is said that he began with the words, ‘May the Lord give you peace,’ similar to the Muslim greeting of ‘Peace be upon you’ and reflecting Christ’s instruction to his envoys to begin with ‘Peace to this house.’ (It’s remarkable how many Bible passages about faith-sharing mention peace. It’s not a coincidence, but a fundamental gospel principle.)
Francis shared his faith in Christ and invited the Sultan to become a Christian. The Sultan declined but was struck by Francis’ humility and courage and ensured his safe release.
This true story speaks powerfully to our day of battle lines and chosen sides. The Crusader army had written off their Eastern neighbours as beyond talking to. They came as enemies with what they probably thought was ‘the only language these people understand’ – violent force. It should make sacred agents wince.
But Francis, having committed himself completely to Christ, had come to see the world and to see people through Christ’s eyes. To him it was madness not to go and at least give the Sultan and his people opportunity to discover Jesus as he had. And having committed himself completely to Christ, he had nothing to lose – whether he was well received or not.
So who are the Sultans in our lives? People who do not seem Christian-adjacent at all? Are they not still loved by God? Might they not surprise us with willingness to engage? And might it not be better witness to Christ that we care enough for them to give them a chance, and invite them lovingly, instead of writing them off and seeing them as enemies? Might not the gospel go a lot further if we shared it beyond our safe circles?
*Andrew Turner is Director of Crossover for Australian Baptist Ministries.
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Painting by Giotto di Bondone – Image: Wikimedia Commons
