Bible Meditation - Come & Believe
While reflecting on this passage, I pondered the verbs Jesus used: come and believe.
This verse is full of theological depth to unpack but today the verbs got my attention. When I think of the verb come or the phrase, “come here”, I automatically go to a loving call to give comfort, strength, and safety. “Come here” is only said or heard around my most intimate family members. That level of familial intimacy is what Jesus desires with us. He wants our hearts, completely.
Many of our human life experiences and relationships point us to spiritual realities. So, for me, the phrase “come here”, said to people I care deeply about shows me Jesus’ love. For example:
“Come here.” – I hear from my husband when I am all tears over something. Worried. Sad. His words always involve a “life-giving” hug. Big warm, strong arms encircling me, assuring me that I am loved, seen, heard, ok. We are in this thing called ‘life’ together! Strength and comfort and love.
“Come here to Mommy!” – I said to our daughters as they learned to walk. Each of our arms outstretched, reaching for the other. They come towards you full of fear, uncertainty, and trepidation. Will I stumble? Will I fall? They reach you. Immediately they are wrapped in your arms of safety and protection. There is joy at the triumph of the meeting, two souls folding into each other. Safety and protection.
“Come here, sweetheart!” – said to a teenage daughter with a broken heart. Tenderness. “I know it hurts now but it won’t always be this way. God has another path for you.” Loving guidance given. I will mourn with you. Comfort you. A hug always follows, “come here.” Security and love.
An unsaid “come here.” – to a teenage son who threw the winning touchdown pass. Congratulations! A man hug ensues. Triumph. I’m here for your success! I’m proud of you!
I “hear” all through the Bible Jesus “say”, come here to me and believe that I love you and want you with me all the time. I want to love you, comfort you, strengthen you, protect you, reassure you, hold you up, mourn with you and celebrate with you. I want to save you from sin. Believe that I love you. I proved my love for you on the cross. Just come here and believe what I say is true.
Let His peace and love wash over you today, in all your joys, triumphs, sorrows and struggles. God is very near to you.
In His Peace, Beth
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Scripture Verses:
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Matthew 28:20
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”
Luke 10:9
heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
John 15:13
Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
1 Corinthians 13:8
Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.
1 John 4:13
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
2 Samuel 7:28
And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.
Isaiah 30:15
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” And you would not,
Isaiah 41:10
fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 43:1
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
Isaiah 58:9
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am.
Psalm 12:7
Do thou, O Lord, protect us, guard us ever from this generation.
Psalm 16:11
You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 18:1
I love thee, O Lord, my strength.
Psalm 31:3
You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
Psalm 48:14
that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will be our guide forever.
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 62:8
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
Psalm 69:32
Let the oppressed see it and be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive.
Psalm 70
Be pleased, O God, to deliver me. O Lord, make haste to help me!
Psalm 94:19
When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.
Psalm 105:4
Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.
Psalm 131:2
But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a child quieted at its mother’s breast; like a child that is quieted is my soul.
Psalm 138:3
On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.
Psalm 145:9
The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.
Tobit 13:6
If you turn to him with all your heart and with all your soul, to do what is true before him,
then he will turn to you and will not hide his face from you. But see what he will do with you. give thanks to him with your full voice.