Dear Family

I just love the invitation we read about in Matthew 11:28 from the Lord of the Universe: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Wow! What other “god” has ever issued such an invitation? In all religions we see lengthy rituals and rules meticulously laid out for blinded devotees to follow in order to try to appease the said “god”. There is just no end to the burden laid upon their shoulders as they strive day in and day out towards satisfying the demands of their deity.

In our case, the invitation is quite simple: “You earth people, you owe me big time. You have zero chance of ever pleasing me. Zero chance of ever matching my standards. Zero chance of ever being able to pay me what you owe me. So, now here’s the deal: stop trying, lay down your efforts, accept that I have stood in your place, and now enjoy my rest!”

How can we ever begin to understand or to define the grace of God? That He should love people enough to do the unthinkable in order to make a way that people can enjoy fellowship and oneness with Him.
I do try to understand that many people today do not feel they need a god, that they do not need forgiveness, that they do not need any cosmic favour outside of their selfish existence. But the fact remains, “the wages of sin is death”! In the midst of this hopeless and helpless condition, Jesus issues an invitation to all, “Come to me.”
Resting in God’s grace can only be accomplished by coming unashamedly and unconditionally to the Author of grace, Jesus Christ. How often we come with our agendas, our preconceived ideas, and possibly even our religious notions. But Jesus invites us to come just as we are to Him, exchanging all our stuff, for His glorious rest and indescribable peace.

Why not reply to that Heavenly Invitation today? “Thank you, Jesus. I come. I lay at your feet every bit of weariness in trying to appease you and please you. I bring every burden of just never being good enough, and swop it all for your rest!” Whoop! Whoop!

Paul