THERE are four points of special interest in the verse from which the above words are culled―(1) The Inviter; (2) the invited; (3) the promise; (4) the effect.
Who is it that issues such a blessed invitation? It is Jesus, the Saviour, the Son of God. He is the great Inviter. With the full knowledge of what was in man, and expecting nothing whatever from man, He came down into this world to reveal God and make known what was ever in the heart of God for man. He came not to be ministered to but to minister. He knew perfectly well how man would receive Him―how He would be rejected, cast out, and crucified; but with the full knowledge of this it did not alter the great love of His heart. He came to seek and to save that which was lost, and in devotedness to such He was prepared to suffer, bleed, and die, undergo the judgment, brave the storm and tempest, drink the cup of wrath in order that He might meet the necessities of poor perishing sinners.
In His life here He was the most accessible of men, although the holy, spotless Son of God. It was recorded of Him, “This man receiveth sinners.” He never turned one away. Broken hearted, hell-deserving, undone sinners could at all times draw near to Him. He was so gracious, so kind, so full of love, that He never repelled. The woman of the city who was a sinner found forgiveness, salvation, and peace at His blessed feet. Broken-hearted as to her condition, the grace of His heart attracted her into His presence, and at His feet she found pardon and peace. Although no longer in this world, He is still the loving Saviour. He is still the Great Inviter.
His words are as true today as they were in the day of His sojourn in the world― “Come unto me.” From the height of His present position in glory He invites. His heart is the same; His blood, once shed, has never lost its value. His work on the cross is still available, and the blessed invitation still goes out, “Come unto ME.” It is not, Come to church, chapel, or mission-room! It is not, Go through this form or ceremony, or attend to this, that, or the other religious duty; but it is having individually to do with a personal loving Saviour―it is responding to the invitation, Come. It is not, Go here or go there, do this and do that. The invitation could not be possibly plainer, easier, or more distinct―it is Come. It is so simple that a child can take it in, so easy that the weakest can avail themselves of it.
It is simply to take Him at His blessed word and act upon it. “Come.” When? Just now. Delays are dangerous, and the invitation is a royal one. Respond to it; eternal happiness is yours in responding; eternal woe in refusing. He will not always invite. The day of grace is closing in apace. We would therefore beg you with all our power to respond to the gracious invitation and go to Jesus.
Oh! but you say, I have no title―how do I know that it means me? What do you consider would give you a title to the Saviour? No amount of repentance, prayers, almsgiving, psalm singing, Sunday school teaching, district-visiting, tract-distributing, or even preaching―all right in their place―ever could or ever will give you a title to come to the Saviour. Turning over new leaves, living a religious life, paying your way, living an upright moral life, give no title to the Saviour. You say, I find none of these things or all of them put together has given me real peace, joy, or satisfaction. Now, friend, perhaps the very last thing that you think of that would give you a title is really the means of your availing yourself of the Saviour’s invitation. What is it? Your sins. You say, My sins; why, that is the very thing that keeps me from coming. When I think of my long catalog of black sins, my misspent life, my living in wickedness― it is that that keeps me back from coming. Nay, dear friend, that is all the more reason why you should come. Come, just as you are, in all your sins and utter misery, to Jesus. There is not a sin you have committed in thought, word, or deed, but what He has full knowledge of, and with this knowledge He still bids you come. Weary and heavy-laden you may be, it is just such ones that He wants, ‘braves and longs for, and He promises, “Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out.”
Look at the effect of coming, poor, weary, heavy-laden soul. Rest. How you long for it. Buy it you cannot, you are too poor―the millionaire with all his riches is far too poor; but still it is available. God cannot sell rest. It cost Jesus the laying down of His peerless, precious, spotless life, in order that He might impart it, on His own terms, and on those terms only it is obtainable― “I will give.” Rest is only to be obtained by receiving it as a free gift from the loving hands of Jesus. He died to secure it. He did the work that you might get your sin-stricken conscience relieved of its weight of sin and guilt, and that you might enter into and eternally enjoy the rest which it has cost Him so much to provide, and which He freely offers.
Beloved friend, do trust Him. He is worthy to be trusted. His work is reliable. His word is inviolable. Take Him at His word, believe what He says, act upon it. It was for sinners Jesus died, and if He died for sinners, why not for you. Cast yourself in simple faith at His feet; tell Him what you are; own what you have done. Rest your soul on what He is; rest your conscience on what He has done. Consider the glory of the person who invites, the nature of the invitation, and the blessed result assured. May it be yours, dear beloved reader.
“Jesus, I rest in Thee,
In Thee myself I hide;
Laden with guilt and misery,
Where could I rest beside?
‘Tis on Thy meek and lowly breast
My weary soul alone can rest.
E. G.