To be able to adequately respond to the Easter message of hope and new life through our risen Lord, we first need to hear the invitation of Jesus. Jesus invites people to come close to him and know him. His words of invitation include acceptance and renewal, as well as the need for us to respond with faithfulness as we embrace hope. This doesn’t all end at the cross, but the cross marks a new beginning of invitation to stay close to Jesus as we keep him in sight in every aspect of our lives. Our response is made complete as we live as his disciples who offer the same invitation that we’ve already accepted, to other people.