Come to Me

For many years I lived at Arrowhead Springs, in the San Bernardino mountains.  Right above me was a giant natural formation in the shape of an arrowhead on the side of a mountain.  The area is filled with healing hot springs and legends of flaming arrows striking the mountain.  It was the major landmark in the area.But for me the formation looked very much like a great shepherd, extending robed arms, saying “Come to me.”  Which, of course, is what Jesus has said to us in so many ways.

As Children

But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  (Luke 18:16)We think we need to know so much, or be so holy, or have it all together.  But no, we are to come in ignorance, immaturity, just as we are.  We are to come to him as children.

To Fish

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19)He says to come to Him and He will put us to work.  And what work it is:  To fish for those who need to know Him, to draw them into His Kingdom, to offer them new life.

Surprise!

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”  (Luke 19:5)Talk about surprised!  Zacchaeus was short so he scurried up a tree to get a glimpse of Jesus.  Jesus stopped right under that tree, looked up at Zacchaeus and called his name.  He said, “Come down so we can go together to your home.”  He says the same to us, wherever we are when we encounter Him.

In the Storm

“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  (Matthew 14:29)When the earth shakes, when the money runs out, when illness comes, when a loved one betrays…when the waves overwhelm, Jesus calls to us "Come."  In the midst of the storm He holds our hand and holds us up.

When You Are Thirsty

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.  (John 7:37)But there is more.  He says that the water He offers is living water that will satisfy our every thirst, our every need, our every desire.

For Some Rest

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  (Matthew 11:28)He sees us rushing about, so busy, and He invites us to rest.  Yes, physical rest.  But He also offers rest for our spirits—rest from striving, anxiety, fear, manipulating, trying to make it all happen.  “Sit awhile with me.  I love you and I’m in control.  I will make it happen.”

To Life

When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”  (John 11:43)They said he would smell—he had been dead 4 days.  But Jesus called Lazarus out and gave him life.  Some of us have been dead for years, and our lives really stink.  Jesus calls us to come and live—new life, abundant life, hopeful life, empowered life, eternal life.

For Your Reward

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!  Come and share your master’s happiness!’“  (Matthew 25:21)We all like to hear “Well done!”  As we walk with Him, living in the power of His Spirit, becoming and doing what He created us for, we anticipate the invitation from our Savior:  “You are such joy to me.  Come share in my happiness.”His arms are stretched out, waiting, beckoning you:  Come, my child.  I have so much to tell you, to give you.  I have wonderful surprises ahead for you.  We will love our life together.  Come.What about you?  In what way is Jesus inviting you to come?© 2011 Judy DouglassThanks to Lynn Koehn for the original idea.en español: Ven a mí