Because Jesus is Savior of nations and He has taken upon Himself the sins of the world He makes some pretty incredible claims – and beautiful invitations! While religion often makes Jesus faith complicated – He never does. He is very strait-forward. Direct.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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 justice is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Where we see burdens He sees opportunity for the soul to expand.
“Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:37
Where we cover over our thirst and become unquenchable He invites us to drink from endless inner rivers of water.
Jesus invites us to bring our burdens to Him. When we are worn out, weighed down, and discouraged He extends Himself to us. But we must come to Him. Jesus does not force Himself on us. He offers sincere invitations to freedom. By bringing our burdens to Him we are no longer alone. As we come we exchange these heavy weights for His weights – His yoke and His justice. When we understand that His justice will ultimately prevail, and that His burdens are light (because He carries them along with us) we are led into a new reality that is superior to the old. I no longer need to walk alone. And I have His living water springing up from the inside of me. Wow.
This reality permeates everything Jesus did and taught, and it is why He had no time for the self-righteous religionists of His time. Not only do we have direct access to Him, there is no benefit to going through a middle man (or middle person). We are given full rights and power to abide. His oil of blessing anoints every one of His followers, and fuels the power of our spirituality.
“As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.” 1 John 2:27
What is your greatest treasure? Faith? Hope? Love? Each of these “greatest gifts” lead to peace and rest, and this is what Jesus offers us as He invites us to “come.” Beautiful.
He is with us!
Dave and Burnadette