"You will not come to Me." "Come unto Me..."

  "You will not come to me that you might have life." John 5:40
  "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt 11:23

   I know you are busy so I will get right to the point. I had no idea that the English words "come" as used to represent the original Greek words in these two verses, were so unbelievably far apart in meaning and intent. In John 5:40 where the author records the words Jesus spoken to some Jews who had come to kill him, the English word "come" is translated from the Greek word "erchomai", which means to come from one place to another. In Matthew 11:23 the English word "come" is the Greek word "deute" which seems to be best understood as a strong plea or invitation, "Please, come here!, Come now!"
   The word "come" in John 5:40 can be understood to be a statement of reality and rebuke, while in Matthew 11:23 it is an invitation to be accepted, a passionate offer to be accepted and embraced. To the Jews who were out to destroy him, Jesus said. "You refuse to leave where you are so you can come to me and live. If you stay there, all hundled up in your pride and positions, and in your rules and regulations, you will die." But, to the physically and spirtually weary people who were in the crowds that followed Jesus, who hung on his words and stood amazed in his presence; to those who the religious leaders and officials continued to burdened down with rites and rules, the LORD of Glory opens his arms and with a word compels them to walk right into the heart of the Father. "Deute! Deute! Quickly, quickly, come to me now! Leave that burdensome, baggage behind. As a matter of fact, throw it on that pile over there with the others. Now, come unto me and I will give you the repose and rest you need, for the rest I give... it is one that goes beyond the physical or emotional levels. My rest is a deep rest, one that penetrates down into your soul. Come, lay beside still waters for awhile. Deute! lay down in green pasture. Let me restore and refresh your soul, strengthening you to go on. Take my yoke upon you, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

    I know you are busy, so I will stop here. I hope you will too. Stop here, right here where the arms of Jesus are held open wide, extended in your direction. Could you get around his reach? Sure, if you really want to, but he would prefer you didn't. He wants you to stop right here, here, and walk right in. That's what the invitation is for! But you're hesitating! Yes, you are! You are too! Oh I wish you wouldn't, but you are. Why? Stay tuned and I will tell you why. Ok, I will give you a hint. Just because you have had baggage ever since you can remember does not mean you were meant to.