An Invitation To The Weary

An Invitation to the Weary

I recall an afternoon early in my ministry when the invitation of Jesus to the weary became the invitation of Jesus to Max. I was supposed to be studying. But I could not concentrate. I thought I had to fix everyone’s problems, shoulder everyone’s burdens, and never grow weary in doing so. After some moments I bowed my head and sighed, and this scripture came to mind: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

It was the pronoun me that got me. I had been turning to everyone and everything but him. Why did that verse come to mind? Simple – the Holy Spirit, my teacher, reminded me. The Spirit of Christ will do this for you, my friend.

Devotion by Max Lucado | The Almighty Jehovah | https://thealmightyJehovah.com

An Uncommon Call

Jesus’ obedience began in a small town carpentry shop. His uncommon approach to his common life groomed him for his uncommon call. In order to change the world Jesus had to say goodbye to his world. 1 Peter 1:20 (TLB) says, “God chose him for this purpose long before the world began.” Every ounce of suffering had been scripted. It just fell to him to play the part.

When you come up with a word for such love, give it to Christ. For the day he left Nazareth is the day he declared his devotion for you and me. But God, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. Perhaps we’re not so common after all!

He Became Like Us

John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and lived among us.” The God of the universe left the glory of heaven and moved into the neighborhood. Our neighborhood! Why? Because He loves to be with the ones he loves.

There’s a remarkable story about a man injured in a fire. While attempting to save his parents, his face was burned and disfigured. He wouldn’t let anyone see him, including his wife. When she went to a plastic surgeon for help, he assured he could restore her husband’s face. But she wasn’t there to restore her husband’s face. She wanted her face disfigured so she could share in his pain.

It’s the way God feels about us. He took on our face, our disfigurement. He became like us to show us how far he will go to be with the ones he loves.