Having covered the top ten teachings according to the frequency with which Christ taught (seen on page 133 of the download ‘What on earth have we done with the teachings of Jesus’). We are now continuing with Christ’s additional teachings. The next of these is to ‘Come to Me’.
How difficult this can be. When the demands of life assail us. The pressure to be in various places at certain times. We have our to do list of tasks that need to be done. Often our own flesh wars against us demanding this and that. How easily we leave Christ out of it all. How we need to simply still ourselves and obey the command to ‘Come to Me’.
If we came to Him and remained with Him
We can often set a portion of time aside in ‘devotions’. But then get on with the day as though leaving Him behind. How different our lives would be if we came to Him and remained with Him, in His presence. Inviting Him into every decision, every step. Being conscious of Him in our dealings with those around us.
I was once walking down the high street in Gibraltar and came across a sign on a door of a traditional church which stated, ‘the faithful here gathered in devotion day and night’ – stuck to this sign on a piece of paper read, ‘No devotion until Thursday’. It made me laugh at the time. This can be reflected in our lives. Our devotion to our Heavenly Father should be day and night. How often do we put it aside and delay it for another day.?
A word in season to him that is weary
Henry says – We must come to Jesus Christ as our Rest, and calm ourselves in Him. Matt. 11:28 – Come unto Me all you that labour. The character of the persons invited are those that labour, and are overloaded. This is a word in season to him that is weary, Isa. 50:4. Those who complain of the burden of religion, which was an intolerable yoke, Luke 11:46 – Woe to you..! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, let them come to Christ. They shall find their rest. Christ came to free His church from this yoke, to cancel the obligation of carnal decrees, and to introduce a purer and more spiritual way of worship.
But it is to be understood regarding the burden of sin, both the guilt and the power of it. All those, and those only, are invited to rest in Christ, that are aware of sin as a burden, and groan under it. To not only be convinced of the evil of sin, of their own sin, but are contrite in soul for it. They that are really sick of their sins, weary of the service of the world and of the flesh. Those that see their state sad and dangerous by reason of sin, and are in pain and fear about it. Such examples of this are as Ephraim (Jer. 31:18-20), the prodigal (Luke 15:17), the publican (Luke 18:13), Peter’s hearers (Acts 2:37), Paul (Acts 9:4, 6, 9) and the jailor (Acts 16:29, 30). This is a necessary preparation for pardon and peace. The Comforter must first convince (John 16:8 – And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment) – “I have torn and then will heal”.
It is our duty to come to Him
There is an invitation: “Come to me”. That glorious display of Christ’s greatness (Matt 11:27 – All things have been delivered to Me by My Father), as Lord of all, might frighten us from Him. However He holds out the golden sceptre, that we may touch the top of it and may live. It is the duty and interest of weary and heavy-laden sinners to come to Jesus Christ. To renounce all those things which stand in opposition to Him, or in competition with Him. We must accept Him, as our Physician and Advocate, and give up ourselves to His conduct and government. Come and cast that burden upon him, under which we are heavy laden. This is the gospel call. Whoever will let him come.
Christ will give assured rest to those weary souls
There’s a blessing promised to those that do come: “I will give you rest”. Truly rest is good (Gen. 49:15), especially to those that labour and are heavy laden, Eccl. 5:12 – The sleep of a labouring man is sweet. Jesus Christ will give assured rest to those weary souls, that by an active faith come to Him for it. Rest from the terror of sin, in a well-grounded peace of conscience. Rest from the power of sin, in a regular order of the soul. A rest in God, and a contentment of soul, in His love. Ps. 11:6, 7 – For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; His face observes the upright. This is that rest which remains for the people of God. Heb. 4:9 – There remains therefore a rest for the people of God, begun in grace, and perfected in glory.
Adapted from the Matthew Henry Commentary
May we be of those who being burdened by our sins find our rest in Him and learn to reside in Him continually.
Rest in the Lord Psalm 37:7 Rest in the Lord your God Lay everything at His feet. Your trust must always be in Him If you desire to be complete. Wait patiently for Him to act Remembering we live in difficult days. Don’t worry about evil people Who success in their wicked ways. Men will always carry out evil schemes That can only lead them to hell But we trust and delight in Him Who will make all things well. Problems that arises we can overcome As on His Word we joyfully feed We can exercise confidence that He will Be faithful to always meet our need. Be still now in the presence of the Lord In resting you will become more aware That He is truly with you And will respond to your every care. By the late Andrew Feakin (passed away 16th March 2019)
Prayer: Father, I am conscious of the sin in my life. It weighs heavy. I thank You that Your Word confirms that I can come to You and find my rest from it. In the name of Christ I pray. Amen.