Just Come

‘And Jesus said, “Come”.’ Matthew 14:29 (CEB)

Recently our pastor was preaching on the passage in Matthew’s gospel where Peter walks out on the water to Jesus. You remember the story, disciples in the boat in a storm when they catch sight of a figure coming towards them on the water in the midst of the storm. They were frightened and thought Jesus a ghost until He spoke to them at which point Peter asked the Lord to bid him come to Him on the water. Our lesson from Pastor Robby focused on the little faith of Peter. When we read verse 29 I was struck by the simple command Peter received from Jesus….Come.

What a simple but powerful invitation from Christ. The same one He offers to anyone seeking Him. The same invitation I received and you, if you too, are a child of God. Come…one of the first words we learn when we are learning to read. Those of us of a “certain” age will remember the Dick and Jane books from first grade from which we most likely read that word initially.

Webster’s 1828 dictionary gives this definition of the word come: To draw nigh; to approach; to arrive; to be present. Once we desire to draw nigh unto Jesus, He bids us to approach, “come” He whispers. We advance and find ourselves present with Him.

Such a simple word, yet one that our eternal life hinges on. Without His offer for us to come, we have no hope beyond this life. His desire is to utter that word to each of us just as He did to Peter. And back to Pastor Robby’s lesson we also know that faith, without any reference to its size, enables us to obey the call of Christ – come.

Jesus is standing, arms open wide

Are you willing, or to Him are you numb?

Patiently He waits for you to decide

Hands outstretched, He bids you…come.