FROM THE PASTOR'S PORCH:Come to Jesus

[Lynn D. Walker]

    One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible is Matthew 11:28-30.  In fact, I wrote a song about “the great invitation” as this scripture is called back in the late “90's.  The chorus is basically verse 28 and it goes like this:  Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden.  Come unto me, and I will give you rest.  There's no greater invitation, Jesus is you true salvation; oh, come unto Him and find true peace at last.  I really like this song and I think it is one of my better songs.  You ought to come visit us out at COWBOY COUNTRY CHURCH sometime, and I'll sing it for you.
    Of course, all songs are good songs if the lyrics are based on scriptures. As I was recently studying this scripture for a sermon, I noticed something in my song that was not in the scripture.  My song speaks of Salvation and Peace, but Jesus did not not say anything in verse 28 about either one of those things.  The only thing Jesus promises in this scripture is if we come unto Him, He will give us REST.  Is this scripture for you??  Are you one of the “all who work hard and carry heavy burdens”??  I think almost everybody falls into this category, don't you?  So why do so many people refuse this wonderful invitation??  
    I think its because people don't take it exactly for what it says.  Jesus is not asking you to come and sign up for some big monumental task; He is not asking you to do anything but “come” and find “rest” in him.  I don't know about you but I have much need in my life for some rest; especially the older I get.  This is not a one time offer either.  Jesus is always available for you to “come unto Him” at anytime 24/7 and find rest in His Loving arms.  But what about that “Salvation” thing, and the “Peace”?  Doesn't that come through Jesus, too??  Of course it does, but that doesn't happen when you come unto Him.  No, you see this is all about a two way relationship.  Salvation and Peace happens when Jesus comes into YOU!! 
     Mankind does not always answer the invitation of Jesus to come unto Him, but He never turns down an invitation to come into your heart.  When you invite Jesus to come into your heart, that is when you see the light (read Acts chapter 9); that is when you see the truth, and the way, and eternal life.  This is the time of Salvation and Peace.  What a wonderful two way relationship!!  In fact, there is no relationship like this available anywhere else.  You come to Jesus; you get rest.  Jesus comes to you; you get Salvation and Peace.  Talk about a win, win situation.  Just remember, these things don't happen without invitations.  His invitation for you is in Matthew 11:28; where is YOUR invitation for HIM????
     The day of Salvation is today!!  If you have never invited Jesus Christ to come into your life as your personal Savior, I pray the Holy Spirit is speaking to your heart right now as you read this.  Please.....come unto Him for the rest that your weary soul so desperately needs and then invite Jesus to come unto you for the peace that passes all understanding and the Salvation unto Eternal Life.  Did you hear that???  I think I hear Him knocking.........

May God richly bless you today,
Pastor Lynn Walker
www.cowboycountrychurch.com
[e-mail]
405-320-0055