Rest for the Soul: 8 Days With JesusSample

Day 2 – “Come to Me”

After acknowledging our tiredness and burden, Jesus gives the solution in three simple yet profound words: “Come to me.” Christ’s invitation isn’t to a system, a self-help technique, or a religion full of rules. His invitation is personal, intimate, and direct. He doesn’t say, “come to religion,” “come to morality,” or “come to self-reliance,” but “come to me.”

This reveals something essential: the rest we need isn’t found by distancing ourselves from God but by drawing near to Christ himself. In our desperation, we often chase relief in distractions, entertainment, or even by working harder to “make up for” what we feel we lack. But none of that satisfies the soul. Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35, NIV).

Coming to Jesus is recognizing that he is enough. We need nothing else to be accepted by God, because Jesus has already opened the way. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15–16, NIV). To come to Jesus is to approach with confidence, knowing he understands our pain, our struggle, and our temptations.

The problem is that we may know this verse by heart, yet in practice we prefer to carry our loads alone. Pride, self-sufficiency, and distrust whisper, “I’ve got this.” But Jesus’ invitation isn’t for the self-sufficient; it’s for the needy. Soul-rest is found in him alone.

Coming to Jesus implies dependence—admitting we don’t have the strength, that our peace doesn’t come from controlling circumstances but from surrendering at his feet. It means deciding that in anxious moments our first impulse won’t be to grab the phone, scroll social media, or sprint to human advice, but to run to Christ.

Every time we pray, open the Word, or simply pause to remember who Jesus is, we respond to his invitation: “Come to me.” It isn’t a one-off event on the day of our conversion; it’s a daily rhythm of drawing near in trust.

The rest Jesus offers isn’t conditioned on our emotions or achievements. It’s a gift of grace. In the rush, routines, and daily pressures, the question is: Where do you run when your soul is tired? If you run to Jesus, you’ll find true rest.

Jesus’ invitation still stands. He isn’t distant or inaccessible. He is still saying, “Come.” No matter how long you’ve been away or how many burdens you carry, he remains the safe place for your soul.

For Today

• Where do I tend to run first when I’m tired or overwhelmed?
• Practically, what does it look like for me to “come to Jesus” today?
• Which burden do I need to hand over to him right now?