“Come unto Me, all you that labor and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
There’s never been a sweeter, more blessed invitation than this one.
“Come unto Me.”
So simple are these words. Three simple-syllable words jam-packed with the essence of Eternity; yet, in the midst of the world’s “sound-and-fury” they so often are unheard or misunderstood. That’s why we must also heed His call to “Come follow Me” (Mt. 5:19).
The first word is an imperative—an understood, first-person command: “Come.”
And, the destination is clear: “Unto Me.”
Not to someone else. Not to a program or plan-of-action.
But, quite simply “Come unto Me—the Great I Am. . .the Way, the Truth and the Life. . . the One with healing in His Hands and authority in His Voice.”
And, He leaves no question as to who’s invited:
“All you that labor and are heavy-laden. Those of you who are bone-tired. Worn out. Washed up. Burned out. Fed up. Used up. Spent. Burdened down. Ready to give up and too tired to look up.”
But, that’s okay.
He’ll still take you “just as you are.”
And, without a second thought “He’ll give you rest. Sweet rest. Easy rest. Rejuvenating rest. Never-ending rest. All in His arms, where He’ll never let you go.”
Doesn’t that sound inviting, Pilgrim?
It should—especially if your nerves are shot, your dreams are dashed and your hope’s nigh gone.
Never forget that the One Who’s inviting you to come be “yoked with Him” has nail scars in His Hands and specializes in “wrecks rebuilt” (II Cor. 5:17).
Nothing’s too hard for Him (Gen. 18:14; Lk. 1:37).
He’s never seen a mountain He could not climb or a heart He could not change. But, you’ll never know that until you heed His Invitation and “Come. . .just as you are… without one plea . . . but that His Blood was shed for you.”
It won’t happen overnight, although the start of the Journey will.
No, this process of “transformation” (Rom. 12:1-2) will take a lifetime of walking hand-in-Hand and heart-in-Heart with Jesus.
But, oh how sweet the Journey! And, oh how sufficient the Grace (II Cor. 12:9-10).
It’s a Journey of faith and childlike trust. Step-by-step. Moment-by-moment. Going where He goes. Doing what He says. Following His lead.
What have you got to lose? You’ve got everything to gain. Go ahead. He’s calling you: “Come. Come unto Me and I will give you Rest.” Mmmmm…Beautiful.
June 30, 2011
