Messy House, Clean Heart: A 5(ish)-Day Reading Plan From Dana K. Whiteનમૂનો

Day 4: Jesus Wants to Come In (Even if the House is a Mess)

Read Matthew 11:28–30.

Are there any burdens you feel Jesus wouldn’t want you to bring to Him? How does that prevent you from experiencing the rest He promises?

What do you think He means when Jesus calls Himself “gentle and humble in heart?”

Personal: What aspects of your life do you feel the need to “tidy up” before you can invite Him in?

I met Jesus as a child, but I got to know Him on a personal level as an adult. The beauty of knowing Jesus personally, which happened when I started reading the Bible for myself, was finally learning my childhood impression of Him was wrong. Thinking I should hide my mess from Jesus was the opposite of what I needed to do.

Thinking about Jesus in this way was, honestly, dangerous. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that I need to get my life together before coming to Jesus. It just says come to Jesus. Open the door if He knocks. He won’t be surprised or shocked or horrified by your mess. He wants to come inside and spend time with you. He wants to shine His light over it all. Not to shame you, but because His light is the only thing that can make it better.

And to be clear, I’m not just talking about dirty dishes, piles of laundry, and a garage full of clutter. I’m talking about all of it. All of you. Your non-sin struggles and the sins you fear could never be forgiven.

Open the door if Jesus is knocking. There’s literally nothing you need to do first before you let Him inside. He wants you to let Him love you exactly as you are today. At this very moment. Nothing you do can scare Jesus away from you.

If you think you have to fix your life before you come to Jesus, then you don’t fully understand what He’s asking of you. He’s asking for all of you, whatever that includes.

In Matthew 11:28–30, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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.”

Once you open the door to Jesus, everything will change. You’ll start down the path of understanding His heart, and your heart will change as you go. But first go ahead and open that door. Welcome Jesus in.

Respond: Reflect on any barriers or fears you've felt that have kept you from fully opening the door to Jesus. Contemplate the freedom and peace that could come from allowing Jesus to enter your life as it is now, embracing His unconditional love and grace. How can you take a step today to welcome Him more fully into your life, even amidst the mess?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I invite you into my heart today, and welcome you to fill me with your loving, gracious, merciful presence. Thank you for knocking on the door! Amen.