Tuesday March 14, 2017

 

If an offer sounds too good it is probably not true. You have heard the claims, “If you come to my seminar you will become rich”, “Take my special vitamin formula and lose weight without having to exercise”, “It is the deal of a lifetime”. Claim after claim, someone is always trying to scam us. Now, here comes Jesus making us an over the top offer. He is claiming that if we give Him our burdens, hurts, hang-ups, and bad habits he will give us rest. The offer is so over the top that often times we overlook it.

 

Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

 

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

 

This has to be the single most outrageous claim in the history o f mankind; “Come to me, All who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Jesus, do you really mean that I can bring you all of my hurts? Yes! I can bring all of my hang-ups? Yes! And, can I bring all of my bad habits too? Yes, plus anything and everything that burdens you including your sins and your mistakes. Many, upon reading this passage may simply over look the offer; therefore for many the offer remains an unopened gift.

 

Reasons why we do not accept the offer:

 

1. Pride – I can do this on my own, I do not need anyone’s help.
2. Guilt – My sins and errors are too big.
3. Fear – God is going to ask me to do something I do not want to do.
4. Worries – What if?
5. Doubts – It is too good to be true.

 

Heaven and earth will pass away. But my words will never pass away. – Jesus (Matthew 24:35 NIV)

 

If God who is incapable of lying were to lie, it is unlikely you would be the person He would lie to. When you take inventory of your life, I know that this offer will appear to be too good to be true. However, let me ask you a question. What do you have to lose?