Dear Friends,
Matthew 11: 28 … which is sometimes called “The great invitation” contains a hope-filled message for our time.
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Jesus invites us to come to him because he is here for us’ Come to him and not to those who actually pile up the burdens, who add to the worries.
Jesus says, “Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens…” In other words, we don’t have to come to Jesus when we have it all sorted out, when we have got our religion right, our faith right, when we are in great shape … No … Jesus invites us to come as we are right now … with all our baggage … all our fears and anxieties … all our limitations and sins … all that ails us …
Jesus says, “… I will give you rest …”
This rest is more than a break from work and activity, the Greek word that is translated “rest” is “anapausis” and evokes the experience of weary travellers finding an oasis in the desert.
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Surely a word for our time.
Paul.
