“Come unto Me, all you that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

It’s an open-ended invitation that clearly spells out the terms for entrance.

“Come unto Me.”

Never has there been a simpler, more blessed invitation than this one.  If we received a handwritten, special-delivery invitation today from the President we’d sit down dumbfounded.  If a courier showed up at our door with a beautifully embossed invitation on expensive, designer paper . . .inviting us to a gathering of the world’s “rich-and-famous”. . .stating we’d be the special guest at the head table of the wealthiest man on the planet. . .we’d stare in disbelief and say, “Why me?”

Yet, the God of the universe has invited us to “Come unto Him,” even though He knows everything about us (Ps. 139).

Every evil thought we’ve ever had (or will have).  Every sinful deed we’ve ever done (or will do).  Every unloving, critical word we’ve ever spoken (or will speak).

But, He still says “Come unto Me.”

The question is “Will we, like the prodigal son, arise and go” (Lk. 15:18a)?

The next question is “Who, then, is invited and what should he/she wear?”

Our Manna immediately answers those questions:

“Whosoever will may come” is implied and understood in the direct command “Come.”

And, the attire is “Just as you are.”

Look at those words again:

“All you that labor and are heavy-laden.”

It’s the picture of someone who’s been out working in the fields all day long.  Their clothes are soiled and soaked in perspiration.  They’re far from fragrant.  And, the Master knows the journey to His Party is a long one so He drives up on His wagon. . .stops His steeds of Mercy and Grace and says to us, bent low by the burden of sin, “Come on.  Hop aboard.  I’ll give you Rest.”  Hallelujah!!

Did you catch that, Pilgrim?
Did those words “And I will give you rest” sound inviting to you?

In this hectic, harried, hurry-up world we know little of this thing called “rest” anymore.  From the time we get up in the morning until we collapse in exhaustion late at night we’re “go, go, go. . .hurry up and wait. . .grab a bite on the run. . .catch your breath if you can. . . and hang on for the ride (if you can).”

But, in the midst of it all, we can still have His “one-of-a-kind, indescribable Peace” (Jn. 14:27; Phil. 4:7) IF we know the “secret of serenity.”

And, what that be?

Quite simply to “take Jesus’ yoke upon us and learn of Him” (Mt. 11:29a).  This is our “communion-union”. . .our “abiding in Him” (Jn. 15:1-7). . .that “Christ-Cocoon” found in the “hollow of His Hand” (Jn. 10:28-29; Is. 26:3; 49:15-16).  Why not thank Him right now?

By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated January 13, 2010

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