In Matthew 11:28, we read: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
“Here you are, sir.” The lady at the grocery checkout handed Grandfather his receipt. “Have a good day.”
“Thank you, Melissa. And remember, you have a standing invitation.”
“What’s a ‘standing invitation,’ Grandfather?”
“Well, Timmy, Johnny has a standing invitation at our house.”
“Oh. Because he’s always welcome?” Before Grandfather could answer, Timmy asked. "Is something wrong with that guy? He looks sad.” A young man sat on the steps out of the way of traffic.
“Are you okay, son?” The young man mumbled a response. “Sorry, couldn’t hear what you said.”“I’m fine.”
“Hey. Don’t talk that way to my Grandfather.” Timmy stood close. Before he could say more, Grandfather handed him his bag of groceries, stepped down, sat on the step by the young man. “Grandfather?” Patting the place next to him, he motioned Timmy to sit.
“What ya think you’re doing, old man? I don’t need your help.”
“I want to hear your story. You do have one?” The young man’s chin rested on his chest.
“Why should ya care? Nobody else does.”
“I care because Someone cares for me. Now, it’s your turn.” Tears welled in the young man’s eyes. “Are you hungry? Okay. Come home with us. I can fill your belly and I know Someone who can fill your heart.”
Kingdom Thinking. I was once that person who sat on the steps, desperate, hungry for the truth. Then the Lord Jesus came, sat by me, offered rest. He replaced my ill-fitting yoke of sin, bitterness, selfishness, and anger, with his shining yoke of love. A yoke that is forever mine. He promises His yoke is easy; His burden is light. Won’t you come? You have a standing invitation.