Matthew 11:28 tells us: “Come to Me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest”.
In this verse, which was spoken by JESUS, we see two pictures.
One picture is of a person who is extremely weary and tired. This is the person who has gone as far as he can; he can go no farther, he cannot take another step. The other picture is a person under extreme pressure. This is the person who is about to explode, he cannot take anymore and he knows he will soon explode like a volcano under pressure.
Jesus offers an invitation: ”Come unto Me.” Did you know that this invitational phrase, “Come unto Me“ is used nearly 3,000 times in the Bible and nearly always refers to a simple invitation with no stipulations, no one left out. An invitation stating that ANYONE can Come. ANYONE includes; the wealthy, the poor, the famous, the peasant. ANYONE- without limitations! The important inference is that when we come to Christ we are promised rest and freedom from all the cares of the world.
Several years ago, the Wall Street Journal carried a story about a young girl named Sally. She was an overly conscientious youngster who made herself miserable over the smallest failures and setbacks. Early one fall, while the leaves were still on the trees, there was an exceptionally heavy snowstorm. Sally’s grandfather took her for a drive and said : “Notice those elms, the branches are so badly broken that the trees may die. But look at those pines and evergreens. They are completely undamaged by the storm. My child, he said, there are two kinds of trees in this world, the foolish and the wise. An elm holds its branches rigid. As it becomes weighted down it reaches its limit and eventually its limbs break. But when an evergreen is loaded, it simply releases its branches and lets the burden slip away. Be like a pine tree, granddaughter.”
Christians who give up all their cares to the Lord can face life’s burdens much better than those who try to bear the weight themselves. Charles Spurgeon, a 19th century evangelist said “The message of our gospel is the gentle word, ”Come”. Our Lord says “Come unto Me and I will give you rest. But the law says, “Go and do.” The law says “Go and take heed to the path in which you walk. Break the commandments and perish; keep them and live.” The law drives men with a whip; but God draws men with cords of love. The law repels; but the gospel attracts. Christ is the good Shepherd who goes before His sheep and says “Come. I will give you rest.”
In a third-century debate on Christianity, Celsus said to Origen. “When most teachers go forth to teach they cry, Come to me, you who are clean and worthy, and they are followed by the highest caliber of people available. But your silly master-Jesus cries; “Come to Me, you who are down and beaten by life” and so He accumulates around Him: ”A group of rag, tag and bobtail of humanity." Yes that is true BUT Jesus does not leave them that way. Out of material you would have thrown away as useless, he fashions men and women giving them back their self-respect, enabling them to stand on their feet and look God in the eye. They were cringing, broken things but God’s Son Jesus has set them free.”
So today, if you are heavy burdened come to Jesus. Respond to His invitation. Do you realize how special that statement is? It speaks to anyone….anyone in this earthly world who wants to hear. It invites people of all colors, all beliefs, all tribes, all nations, all situations. It speaks to those addicted to drugs, alcohol, pornography to gambling, even to those addicted to their careers and it even speaks to those who go to church every Sunday. That word “Come” speaks to each one, quietly and individually. COME and He will give you peace of mind and rest of heart.
The invitation has been sent will you accept HIS invitation? If you are still not sure, be sure to check out the information on the "SALVATION" tab above. We pray that your RSVP to HIS invitation is AFFIRMATIVE!
In this verse, which was spoken by JESUS, we see two pictures.
One picture is of a person who is extremely weary and tired. This is the person who has gone as far as he can; he can go no farther, he cannot take another step. The other picture is a person under extreme pressure. This is the person who is about to explode, he cannot take anymore and he knows he will soon explode like a volcano under pressure.
Jesus offers an invitation: ”Come unto Me.” Did you know that this invitational phrase, “Come unto Me“ is used nearly 3,000 times in the Bible and nearly always refers to a simple invitation with no stipulations, no one left out. An invitation stating that ANYONE can Come. ANYONE includes; the wealthy, the poor, the famous, the peasant. ANYONE- without limitations! The important inference is that when we come to Christ we are promised rest and freedom from all the cares of the world.
Several years ago, the Wall Street Journal carried a story about a young girl named Sally. She was an overly conscientious youngster who made herself miserable over the smallest failures and setbacks. Early one fall, while the leaves were still on the trees, there was an exceptionally heavy snowstorm. Sally’s grandfather took her for a drive and said : “Notice those elms, the branches are so badly broken that the trees may die. But look at those pines and evergreens. They are completely undamaged by the storm. My child, he said, there are two kinds of trees in this world, the foolish and the wise. An elm holds its branches rigid. As it becomes weighted down it reaches its limit and eventually its limbs break. But when an evergreen is loaded, it simply releases its branches and lets the burden slip away. Be like a pine tree, granddaughter.”
Christians who give up all their cares to the Lord can face life’s burdens much better than those who try to bear the weight themselves. Charles Spurgeon, a 19th century evangelist said “The message of our gospel is the gentle word, ”Come”. Our Lord says “Come unto Me and I will give you rest. But the law says, “Go and do.” The law says “Go and take heed to the path in which you walk. Break the commandments and perish; keep them and live.” The law drives men with a whip; but God draws men with cords of love. The law repels; but the gospel attracts. Christ is the good Shepherd who goes before His sheep and says “Come. I will give you rest.”
In a third-century debate on Christianity, Celsus said to Origen. “When most teachers go forth to teach they cry, Come to me, you who are clean and worthy, and they are followed by the highest caliber of people available. But your silly master-Jesus cries; “Come to Me, you who are down and beaten by life” and so He accumulates around Him: ”A group of rag, tag and bobtail of humanity." Yes that is true BUT Jesus does not leave them that way. Out of material you would have thrown away as useless, he fashions men and women giving them back their self-respect, enabling them to stand on their feet and look God in the eye. They were cringing, broken things but God’s Son Jesus has set them free.”
So today, if you are heavy burdened come to Jesus. Respond to His invitation. Do you realize how special that statement is? It speaks to anyone….anyone in this earthly world who wants to hear. It invites people of all colors, all beliefs, all tribes, all nations, all situations. It speaks to those addicted to drugs, alcohol, pornography to gambling, even to those addicted to their careers and it even speaks to those who go to church every Sunday. That word “Come” speaks to each one, quietly and individually. COME and He will give you peace of mind and rest of heart.
The invitation has been sent will you accept HIS invitation? If you are still not sure, be sure to check out the information on the "SALVATION" tab above. We pray that your RSVP to HIS invitation is AFFIRMATIVE!
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