Jesus says ‘Come!’ The Bride says ‘Come’. And again, and again…

“The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:17,20)”

‘I love you.’ ‘I love you too.’ ‘I love you the mostest.’ ‘Well, I love you morer’. ‘You put down the phone first.’ ‘No, you put down the phone first.’ etc. etc. Some of you are thinking, ‘yuck!’ But you only think that because you have forgotten how lovers talk.

The sweet longing to bask in the company of the one you love overrides the conventions of more reserved and ‘mature’ conversation. Don’t you remember the silly arguments about who puts the phone down first? Those were happy days when we were intoxicated by being in love!

The book of Revelation are Jesus’ last words to His Bride on earth. Jesus came from heaven to search for His Bride. He died to make her clean and spotless and now He sends out His Spirit to woo her to Himself. Every day, all over the world, He draws His beloved people to Himself. But Jesus is in heaven and His church, (those who are still alive), are on earth. And He longs for her. He constantly calls out to her, ‘Come!’

When Jesus was on earth, He never stopped saying ‘Let sinners come to me.’ ‘Come to me all you who labour and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest.’ ‘Let the little children come to me.’ ‘Come to me all you who thirst.’ Jesus kept calling out to His Bride. Now, ascended to the Right Hand of the Majesty, surely Jesus lacks nothing? No. Even from there He calls out to His Bride.

Notice how lovers talk: Jesus says ‘Come!’ His Lover replies ‘Come!’ Just as Jesus calls out to His Bride, so she calls out to Him. Jesus repeats Himself again… again: ‘Come!’ And the church replies, ‘Come Lord!’ And again. So the two lovers speak to each other repeating themselves. This is the way lovers talk because they can’t bear being apart. They long to be together and both keep repeating the same thing, ‘Come!’

Just in case she loses heart, Jesus says ‘I’m coming soon!’, as if to say, ‘Don’t give up. I’ll be there before you know it!’ Why the delay? The book of Revelation tells us. Jesus has not yet come because His people have not yet come. Jesus has sent out His messengers to gather His elect from all over the world. When the full number of His people have come to Him, He will indeed come to them with no more delay.

Friend, have you heard Him say ‘Come’? Has your heart felt the pull of Jesus’ words when He says, ‘You’re thirsty. Come to me and drink – with no cost.’ So just come! Come to Jesus right now as you are. And if you have come before, come again. Just keep coming.