COME UNTO ME

I have received many invitations in my life time: -- some to weddings -- some to parties -- some to important events -- some by mail -- some plain & some engraved -- some by word of mouth; -- some I've kept & some I've ignored! I have never received an invitation from the President to meet with him at the White House; -- some people have & they like to tell you about it.

But never has there been an invitation of greater importance -- or of greater significance -- than the invitation that is given to everyone who is here today -- given by the King of kings & the Lord of lords. It is an invitation that is given by Jesus Christ Himself -- & it is found in Matthew 11:28-30. -- Jesus is speaking here, & He says:-- "Come to me, all you who are weary & burdened, & I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you & learn from me, for I am gentle & humble in heart, & you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy & my burden is light."

These verses are among the most beautiful in the pages of Holy Scripture! -- "Come to me, all of you who are weary & overburdened -- who carry heavy burdens -- & I will give you rest." Jesus did not define the toils & burdens because He includes them all.

Here is an age-old invitation with deep meaning to sinner & saint alike! Every sinner should hear these words & respond to this invitation of love & forgiveness! Every Christian should memorize these words & repeat them for comfort in times of sorrow & suffering!

Truly this is one of the most beautiful & glorious invitations found anywhere in all the world!

In the great Lutheran Cathedral in Copenhagen -- there stands a famous statue. -- It is a statue representing Christ. It was done by a famous sculptor -- who had labored long & lovingly upon the statue. It was made to present Christ standing with head lifted upward -- with hands extended heavenward in a gesture of power & triumph. The sculptor was well pleased with work he had done. But the very night the statue was completed -- the sea mists seeping into the studio -- relaxed the clay. The head of the statue moved forward -- & the arms, extended upward, dropped downwardly. When the great artist observed it in the morning he was bitterly disappointed. But then as he studied it -- it began to please him -- for now Christ was looking down into the faces of men. Now His hands were extended in an invitation of love! The more he observed it -- the more he liked it -- & he decided it was better this way than it was at the beginning. He left it as it was -- & placed at the base of the statue the words of Jesus -- "Come Unto Me." It has stood for many years now in the Cathedral in Copenhagen -- an inspiration to all who view it.

I would like to ask you this morning -- to place the picture of that statue in your mind during this message! Will you picture Jesus -- His loving eyes looking into yours? Will you picture Him with His hands extended in an invitation of compassionate love? And will you hear Him as He speaks the words -- which are in part -- found upon the base of the statue that I have just mentioned -- "Come unto Me." Hear this glorious -- & gracious -- & loving invitation: -- "Come unto Me!" Visualize it in your mind! -- Hear it in your heart!

There are some important features of this invitation we need to observe.

1. The Scope of this Invitation! -- "all of you who are weary & overburdened ..."

Notice the words -- "all of you." -- No one is excluded! Everyone is invited! -- All are invited; -- all are included. You & I -- with our heavy burdens -- are invited! There are no exceptions -- no limitations -- no educational -- or financial requirements!

The king on his throne -- the pauper in his shack -- the university professor -- as well as those who don't read nor write -- to the great mass of people somewhere in between -- all are invited. All who labor & are heavy laden -- everyone who is weary & over burdened -- all whose road is rough & rugged: -- all are invited!

It is an invitation to the sinner with his guilt & condemnation! All who want to know forgiveness; -- all who want to be delivered; -- all who fear the coming Judgment; -- all who have the dark cloud of sin weighing them down! -- They are all invited. It is also an invitation to the Christian -- with his doubts & worries -- & the many cares of life! It is an invitation for forgiveness to the guilty conscience. It is also an invitation for fellowship to the lonely & burdened!

These are words that our world desperately needs to hear -- because our world has such desperate needs. It is a burdened world in which we live -- a sad & unhappy world.

A few years ago a pastor in a church in one of our largest American cities was invited to do a radio program -- a half-hour broadcast on a local station -- just after midnight. He was to act as a religious counselor -- instructing people when they called to voice their problems & needs. He sat at a table on which there was a telephone over which the people could call & talk to him. There was before him a radio microphone by means of which he could speak to everyone listening in the city. After it was all over -- he said that as he sat down at the table -- the palms of his hands were wet with perspiration -- for he thought no one would surely call. "Who in the world" -- he thought -- "will call a preacher at midnight to talk about their problems -- & especially over the air waves." He was not prepared for what happened! The first call came in five seconds -- & from then on he was busy through the entire half-hour of the broadcast. The telephone company had placed a meter on the line -- & they discovered that 1054 people had tried to call. Of course -- he was able to handle only a very few of that number. 1054 people calling a preacher at midnight! But they represent 1054 people with needs -- with problems -- with burdens -- with heartaches.

This pastor's experience on the radio simply demonstrates for us the truth that we live in a world in which there is so much sadness -- so much unhappiness. To such a world -- to a burden world -- a toiling world -- there comes the words of the Savior -- the call of love -- "Come unto Me."

2. The Simplicity of this Invitation! -- "Come to me"

One of the first words of anyone's vocabulary is expressed by the out- stretched arms of a mother as she says -- "Come."

Oh, how simple an invitation this is. -- Jesus simply says: "Come." Come with your burden of sin; -- come with your cares & worries; -- come with your onfusion & doubts; -- come with your heartaches & sorrows; -- come with your failures & disappointments.

Jesus did not say to sinful humanity: -- "Go away from me." -- He said: -- "Come unto me!"

Some of the religions of the world tell what we must do -- where we must go in endless pilgrimages -- the rites & ceremonies we must perform. -- But Christ says simply -- "Come unto me." Come -- not unto church membership -- not unto the pastor or priest -- not unto baptism -- not unto sacraments or ritual -- not unto a code of ethics -- but rather "Come unto me" -- unto Jesus Christ -- God's one & only Son!

It is an invitation to come to Someone Who is personal -- to Jesus Christ -- Who is loving -- Who is compassionate & caring!

There are many voices calling out to us -- but there is only One who brings hope & victory! Christ alone is: -- the 'author & the finisher' of our faith; -- the giver of eternal life; -- the One who is able to save to the uttermost; -- the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world; -- the Mediator between God & man; -- the One who can lift the burdens of life; -- the One who can provide grace in time of need. -- And He says -- "Come unto me!"

One night a young man who had just been ordained to the ministry chose for his text Matthew 11:28 -- & the words "Come unto me." He was nervous & apprehensive -- & when he reached the church -- his anxiety increased because he had forgotten to take his sermon notes. All he could remember was the opening line of his message. So he said with deep feeling -- "'Come unto Me' -- what does it mean?" He stood there for a moment & then repeated again: -- "What does it mean? -- What does it mean?" A little girl sitting near the front timidly raised her hand. Relieved at having a chance to regain his composure -- he turned to her & said: -- "Well, dear little girl -- tell me, what does it mean?" The reply was: -- "I think it means Jesus wants me." Hearts were touched -- & many eyes were filled with tears. Encouraged by the simple understanding of that child -- the young minister was able to make a few more brief comments. He concluded by having the congregation sing the hymn -- "I have heard the voice of Jesus say -- 'Come unto Me & rest.'" Then he pronounced the benediction. As the people left -- an elder was heard to say: -- "The wisest Christian among us couldn't have given a truer or sweeter exposition of that text!

My friends -- come to Christ -- for He alone gives life -- sustains life -- & promises eternal life.

3. The Substance of this Invitation! -- "And I will give you rest."

The substance of this invitation is found in that little word -- rest. The word "rest" is certainly one of the most beautiful words in the English language.

There have been times when I have worked hard -- through a long day of physical labor -- & utterly exhausted -- I have tumbled into bed at night to drift off in the arms of sleep -- & found rest for my weary body. But the rest found here is of even greater significance than that of body -- or physical rest! Here is a promise for rest of the soul -- the inner person -- the inner spirit. -- Jesus said in verse 29 -- "you will find rest for your souls." Literally it means: -- "I will rest you" -- that is "with my presence."

"Soul rest" is so priceless it cannot be purchased in any of the markets of the earth. "Soul rest" means forgiveness for our sins -- freedom from bondage -- peace with ourselves & with God -- joy in knowing that God is still on the throne -- victory at the end of the battle.

It is not just advice freely given -- not just sympathy sincerely expressed -- not just financial assistance offered. Rather it is healing for the wounded heart -- comfort for the troubled mind -- fellowship for the lonely spirit. It is unspeakable relief for the haunted soul: -- haunted by past sins -- haunted by past failures -- haunted by bitter disappointments. This rest is the dawn that comes after the midnight! Like the Psalmist said: -- "Weeping may endure for the night -- but joy comes in the morning" (30:5).

It is the calm that comes after the storm when Jesus says: -- "Peace, be still." -- He is the Prince of Peace! -- Rest is not so much what He gives to us -- as what He is to us!

Conclusion: -- Does life seem like a crushing load to you?

Are your past sins more than you can handle?

Are the burdens of life more than you can carry?

Then -- my friends -- say "YES" to this gracious & glorious invitation from Jesus, Who says: -- "Come unto Me."

The ghost that haunts many a life is not the shadow of just one sin -- but rather that of many sins -- of a whole lifetime of sin! The burden that weighs on the heart of many a Christian -- is the matter that is far beyond their control. But all who are heavy burdened with fear, care, toil, & sin -- may come to Christ today -- & be certain of receiving a warm welcome!

A broken hearted father -- went to Dr. A. H. Ackley -- & told Dr. Ackley about his rebellious son -- who brought disgrace to their family -- who had entered a life of crime -- & who had now finally committed a crime of such a serious nature that he was to be sent to the penitentiary. The son had broken his mother's heart & sent her to an early grave. The son had broken his father's heart & had brought him to the place of total despair. In his extremity -- the father turned to Dr. Ackley -- a minister of the Gospel -- & a song writer whose songs have inspired the Church for many years. The father told the minister his story; -- & Ackley listened with compassion. The two of them prayed together -- the burden was lifted -- & the father found peace.

So inspired was Dr. Ackley with the experience of a man who found peace in great trouble through turning to Christ in prayer -- that shortly thereafter -- A. H. Ackley sat down & penned the words: --

When your heart is aching -- turn to Jesus,

He's the dearest Friend that you can know;

You will find Him standing close beside you,

Waiting peace & comfort to bestow.

Heartaches -- take them all to Jesus;

Go to Him today -- do it now without delay;

Heartaches -- take them all to Jesus,

He will take your heartaches all away.

That is not just great poetry -- it is a great spiritual truth! Jesus will take your heartaches all away! -- He really will keep His word!

There is a place of rest; -- a place of quietness; -- a place of peace -- & His name is Jesus! He invites you to come to Him to find the rest your soul seeks!

There is something for us to do: -- Come!

There is something for us to leave: -- Heavy burdens!

There is something for us to receive: -- Rest!

Although this invitation is old -- it is never outdated. It is just as relevant today as it was when it was first spoken. It will never grow old because it speaks to the deep, unchanging needs of the human heart!

Jesus is calling the weary to rest --

Calling today -- calling today.

Bring Him thy burden & thou shalt be blest;

He will not turn thee away.

As the Holy Spirit whispers Christ's glorious & loving invitation into your heart -- why not respond: -- "O Lamb of God -- I come."

Pastor Lyle W. Pettit -- Wynne Chapel -- Cochise, AZ