The Only Door

"I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." 

John 10:9

Jesus gives an incredible invitation to sinners in this verse: Come to me and be saved. He will never force Himself on anyone, but everyone is welcome to enter into His rest. Jesus says, "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me  — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly" (Matthew 11:28-30 The Message). People fight and wrestle to find some other door to God when Jesus showed us the one and only door is Him. Now knowing this is not the same as entering through the door. The door is open as long as we have the breath of life, but we have to make a conscious decision to walk through it. On which side of the door are you standing?

Breakfast Is Ready

Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples ventured to question Him, "Who are You?" knowing that it was the Lord.

John 21:12

John writes of this post resurrection appearance of Jesus to His disciples. It's early morning. Peter, John and 5 others have been fishing all night, but they haven't caught anything. Jesus shows up on the shore, but the men don't recognize Him. The Lord addresses them affectionately and asks if they have any fish (v. 5). They answer "no" and Jesus tells them to cast their net on the other side of the boat.  After doing as He instructs, the net fills with 153 fish. John declares the stranger on the beach is the Lord. (Those who follow Christ always recognize where their success comes from.) Peter jumps in the water and swims to the Lord.  The rest follow with the great catch.  Upon arrival they find a fire with fish and bread already laid out for them.  Jesus invites them to come and dine. He speaks to them and they enjoy sweet fellowship. Our Lord still invites His followers to dine with Him in the morning, to feast upon His word and enjoy His company. "Breakfast is ready," He says, "come and eat."

Come to Me for Rest

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and 

YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS."

Matthew 11:28

This invitation from Jesus is good news for anyone burdened down with trying to earn their way to God.  The Pharisees told the people the way to God is through doing. But Jesus said the way to God is through coming. That was His invitation then, and it's still His invitation to us today. All over the world people are striving to find peace with God through their own work, when in fact all the work has already been accomplished by Christ on the cross. Jesus lovingly whispers, "Come to Me and I'll give you rest. Be my yoked disciple and learn more about Me. Doing My will is not a burden, and the more you know about Me, the more you will trust Me. And the more you trust Me, the more peace you will experience. In Me you will find rest for your soul." Are you exhausted by your own efforts? Jesus says, "Come."

Never To Thirst Again

"Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" John 7:37-38

All of us are thirsty spiritually and we all fill that spiritual thirst with something. But only the living water that Jesus offers can satisfy the soul. When we accept His invitation to come, believe in Him and drink, we never again have a spiritual thirst. He quenches it for all of eternity.