Come Unto Jesus

"Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). The text which begins this article is one which deserves to be written in letters of gold. Few verses of Scripture have done more good to the souls of people than this old familiar invitation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us examine it carefully to see what it contains.

My beloved Brother or Sister in Christ, in the first place, let us ask ourselves the questions, "Who is the SPEAKER of the invitation which begins this article? Who is it that invites so freely, and offers us eternal life so largely? Who is it that says to us this day, "Come unto Me"?

Dear Reader, you and I have every right to ask these questions because we live in a lying world. The earth is full of cheats, shams, counterfeits, deceptions, and falsehoods. The value of a cheque note usually depends entirely on the name which is signed at the bottom. When we hear of someone calling us, we have a right to say, "Who is this? And what is His name?" My dear Brother or Sister, the Speaker of the invitation before you is the best and greatest friend that man has ever had. It is the LORD JESUS CHRIST, the eternal Son of God. You have now heard who sends the invitation which is before you today. It is the Lord Jesus Christ. Give Him the credit due to His name. Grant Him your undivided attention. Believe that a promise from His mouth deserves your best attention. See that you refuse Him not who speaks. It is written, "See that you don't refuse him who speaks. For if they didn't escape when they refused him who warned on the Earth, how much more will we not escape who turn away from him who warns from heaven." (Hebrews 12:25.). In the second place, to whom is the invitation before us addressed. The Lord Jesus Christ addresses "all who labor and are heavy-laden." The expression is deeply comforting and instructive. It is wide, sweeping, and comprehensive. It describes the case of millions in every part of the world. Where are the laboring and heavy-laden? They are everywhere. They are a multitude that man can scarcely number; they are to be found in every country under the sun. Everywhere you will find trouble, care, sorrow, anxiety, murmuring, discontent, and unrest. What does it mean? What does it all come to? Several people do "labor and are heavy-laden".

To what class do the laboring and heavy laden belong? They belong to every class — there is no exception. They are to be found among masters as well as among servants — among rich as well as among poor — among the top ranking politicians as well as among the citizens — among learned as well as among ignorant people. In every class, you will find trouble, care, sorrow, anxiety, murmuring, discontent, and unrest. Did God create man at the beginning to be unhappy? Most certainly not. Mankind is unhappy because of sin.

Sin and departure from God, are the true reasons why people everywhere labor and are heavy-laden. Sin is the universal disease which infects the whole earth. Sin brought to our earth thorns and thistles at the beginning, and made man to earn his bread through the sweat of hard work. Sin is the cause of all the burdens which now press down mankind. Most people know it not, and weary themselves in vain to explain the state of things around them. But sin is the great root and foundation of all sorrow.

My dear Brother or Sister, are you one of those who do labor and are heavy-laden? I think it very likely that you are. I am firmly persuaded that there are thousands of men and women in these evil last days who are inwardly uncomfortable, and yet will not confess it. They feel a burden on their hearts, which they would gladly get rid of; and yet they do not know the way. They have a conviction that all is NOT right in their inward man, yet they never tell it to anyone. Husbands do not tell it to their wives, and wives do not tell it to their husbands; children do not tell it to their parents, and friends do not tell it to their friends. But the inward burden lies heavily on many hearts! There is so much unhappiness hidden in people than the world sees. Unfortunately, there are multitudes who are uncomfortable because they do not know that God has provided a means of help.

My dear Brother or Sister, if you are "laboring and heavy-laden," you are the very person to whom the LORD JESUS CHRIST sends an invitation this day. If you have an aching heart, and a sore conscience — if you want rest for a weary soul, and know not where to find it — if you want peace for a guilty heart, and are at a loss which way to turn — you are the man, you are the woman, to whom Jesus speaks to today. There is hope for you. I bring you good tidings. "COME UNTO ME," says the Lord Jesus, "and I will give you rest."

Paul Fonsi