“Come unto Me. . .”
Matthew 11:28b
It’s one thing to come; it’s another thing to know where to go and what awaits you when you get there.
We’re all going somewhere; the question is “Where?”
Too often we’re like the person who was asked where he was going. He replied, “I don’t know, but I’ll know when I get there.” Or, the person who was asked what he was looking for in the department store. He said “I don’t know, but I’ll know it when I see it.”
While humorous, in reality these responses too often describe our vague understanding of today’s Manna. Why is that?
Partly because of our unfamiliarity with God’s Word. But, largely because of our proud refusal to heed His Invitation because of our bent for singing “I did it my way.”
Christ’s Invitation to us is a simple one: “Come. Come just as you are.”
And, it is a specific one: “Unto Me. The One Who came all the way from Heaven to show you the Father’s Love. The One Who willingly laid down His Life for you on the Cross so you could be forgiven, adopted and pardoned. The One Who refused to stay dead, but arose so you’d have Hope and not have to face life alone. The One Who one day is coming again, but Who’s with you right now in that very room where you’re reading these words.”
Stop right now and ponder those words once again, Pilgrim.
They’re not abstract, historical truths.
They’re present-tense, life-changing words.
When the prodigal son sat starving in the pig’s sty that day, it was remembrance of home and the father’s love that caused him “to come to himself” (Lk. 15:16-17) and say “I will arise and go to the father” (v.18a). Shattered dreams and a realization of how sinfully stupid we’ve been have a way of humbling us and point our hearts toward Home.
And, could it be that the pricking of his conscience was also caused by his father’s quiet whispers of “Come home, come home, my son” wafting their way on the wind to him—especially after he realized he’d played the fool (vv.12-14)?
Hardships and humiliation have a way of producing humility and repentance.
If we let them.
Thankfully, the son threw pride, guilt and shame aside and “he arose and went to the father” (v.20a).
And, the Spirit—yea., the Lord Jesus Himself—is calling us to do the same: “Come. Come unto Me.”
What’s preventing you from doing that, weary one? “The Lord’s Hand is not shortened that it cannot save; neither is His ear heavy that it cannot hear” (Is. 59:1). Do not let your sin, doubts, fears, pride or shame keep you from hearing and heeding His Invitation to “come unto Him.” He’s waiting even now with outstretched arms. Arise and go to Him.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated May 7, 2010
