“Come unto Me, all you that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
It won’t cost us anything except the effort (Is. 55:1-3).
Has there ever been a more beautiful invitation than the one extended unto us by the Lord Jesus in today’s Manna? No, there never has been and never will be—for it’s an invitation to commune with the One Who knows us inside out and still wants to fellowship with us. Glory!!
His is a standing invitation that’s unconditional: “You come.”
It’s also an invitation that’s specific: “All you that labor and are heavy-laden.”
And, it’s an invitation with a blessed reward for those who respond: “And I will give you rest.”
Think of those things once again:
Unconditional: You—the one who’s played the prodigal, run away from home (and God) and ended up making a mess of your life (Lk. 15:11-24). You—the one who’s succumbed to sin’s siren song and held in such contempt by others (Lk. 19:1-10; Jn. 8:1-11). You—the one whose demons have gotten the best of you and you’re constantly tormented by self and others (Mk. 5:1-20). Come to Jesus.
Specific: “All you that labor and are heavy-laden”—You, the one that works 80 hours a week just to make ends meet. You—the one who’s always dumped on and taken advantage of by those who are too lazy to do it themselves. You—the one who’s burned out, washed up and fed up, ready to throw in the towel and say “I quit.” Come to Jesus.
Blessed reward: “And I will give you rest”—peace-of-mind. . .serenity of soul. . .a laying down of burdens and releasing of your fears into His loving care. . .an assurance that He knows everything about you and still loves you just the same. . .a delicious reposing upon the firm mattress of His unchanging Promises as you lay your head upon the soft pillow of His tender, but strong arms.
No pills. No prescriptions. No potions.
Just His Incomparable Peace offered through His Beautiful, Blessed Invitation.
Have you come to Him, yet?
If so, are you resting in Him? Or, are you still clinging to your burden, feeling like it’s your “lot in life” or the “cross that you must bear”?
Let it go, Pilgrim. Let it go.
Release. Then, rest.
And, if for some reason, you just can’t draw near, just remember He’s looking for you (Lk. 15:3-7, 20; 19:10). So, cease from your running or resisting. Accept His loving invitation to enter into that “Promised Rest” (Heb. 4:9-11), which is found in Christ’s loving arms. Come to Him, now, dear Pilgrim. He’s waiting and longing for your company.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated July 21, 2009
