The Invitation

Matt. 11:28-30 (NIVUK)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.

These verses may not be the most obvious that come to mind when you hear of someone’s conversion story, but several years ago, in a courtroom in Lahore (then India), a judge read these verses and followed Jesus immediately. This judge was my grandfather, a Hindu who had recently lost his wife. He sat in the courtroom waiting for the day to start and something made him walk to where the Bible was placed (this was the time of the British Raj). He opened it and read these words from Matt 11:28-30. He wanted this rest that was being offered, he wanted to follow Jesus the rest giver. He left his job and gave his wealth to the church so that others could hear the good news and find Jesus as saviour and comforter. 

Because of this single event my mum was brought up as a christian and I was born in a christian home and found Jesus for myself. These verses have always been of tremendous comfort in times of doubt, fear, hard times and pain.

Over the week let us look at these verses together to see what God is saying through them. 

Come to me is the invitation. There is no day or time mentioned, there’s no dress code outlined, no conditions attached. It doesn’t suggest that you can come only if you are good or a follower of Jesus. It’s an open invitation to all who are weary and burdened. This qualifies us all. Daily, the cares of life, worries about health, finances, stress of work, stress at home, worries about the children, and so much more can leave us weary and burdened. And I will give you rest. Tomorrow we will look at how we can experience this rest.

Prayer - Lord thank you that you want us to come just as we are. Your love and compassion for us is beyond comprehension. Enable me to let go and come to you and find all I need in you.