39. Come and Rest

Come and Rest

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11.28.

This is Jesus Christ’s personal invitation to all who are looking for soul rest. He has passed this invitation out to millions upon millions of people, in the hope that many will respond.

This invitation is addressed to those “that labor and are heavy laden.” It makes no difference what it is that makes you “heavy laden.” Jesus is anxious that this invitation shall reach those who are burdened to the breaking point, and are looking for release. Such people may be discouraged, weak, downhearted, sorrowful, sin-sick, tired, rebellious, and the like. Regardless of who they are, or what their past may have been, or where they may be at present, the invitation is for them. When a messenger boy delivers a message to a certain individual, that message must be delivered to the right man, regardless of where he is, whether in his home, in the office, at a neighbor’s, or in any other place. The important thing is that the right man gets the message. If you fit the description, if you “labor and are heavy laden,” our search has ended. You are the one for whom Christ is looking.

The invitation bids the needy one come directly to Jesus Christ Himself. “Come unto me” is the exact wording. Notice, He did not say “Keep trying,” or “Try a little harder,” or “Do the best you can.” These things may indeed explain why you have “labored” and become “heavy laden.” Rather, the invitation is to stop all this and come directly to Christ. Just come the way you are. Come with that which makes you “heavy laden.” Bring your sins and all into His presence. Tell Him all about your load. Tell Him when and how you first started to accumulate it, if you can remember. Even if you can not remember, come anyway, and tell Him about the load itself. Unload it at His feet in confession, “casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you” (1 Peter 5. 7). Do not hesitate, however filthy it may be. Remember, you come at His invitation, for He it is who said, “Come unto me.”

Notice that the invitation contains a five-word promise, “I will give you rest.” It does not say the Lord might give rest to someone or other, but says definitely of each and every burdened one, “I will give you rest.” Read these words over and over again, for they contain an immeasurable amount of blessing. Remember this promise is given to “all who labor and are heavy laden.” Not one is left out. Rest is offered—rest from the labor and the heavy load, soul “rest” that alone gives full relaxation. The stormy, restless heart can become calm and peaceful. As a still sea reflects the beauties of the skies, so a restful soul reflects the beauties of heaven itself. The promise is for all who will truly come to Christ. A sure token that you have actually come to Christ is then that you have “rest.” If you still have no rest, it is because you have not come, for Christ and rest can not be separated. Christ further emphasizes this truth when He adds the words, “ye shall have rest unto your souls” (v. 29). “Rest,” then, is Christ’s outright gift to all who accept His invitation.

This invitation requires an answer in return. To put off answering is the same as a rejection. To say you believe it, and yet not to act upon it, is also a rejection. The only right thing is to come, and come now. Perhaps this same invitation has reached you many times before. Some time will be the last. Perhaps this is it. You can be sure no one ever reads this tender invitation but that the loving eyes of Christ are upon him. He stands beside you now, ready to make this promise real. He is so close that you can whisper your answer.

Let not conscience make you linger,
Nor of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requireth
Is to feel your need of Him.