When it was time for Noah and his family to enter the ark, the command from God was, “Come into the ark, you and all your family.” After God’s judgment and the flood waters receded, the command from God was, “Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you.” They were to come in for safety only to out in confidence!
Genesis 7:1 (NKJV) “Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.”
Genesis 8:15–16 (NKJV) “Then God spoke to Noah, saying, “Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you.”
Among the many life-giving teachings of Jesus, He shares two very similar commands. These two commands remind us of the familiar rhythm of the follower of Christ. It’s a predictable and regular spiritual pattern.
Matthew 11:28–30 (NKJV) “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.””
Matthew 28:19–20 (NKJV) “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”
We come and seek the Lord only to go and share His love.
We come and worship the King, only to go and work among the world.
We come in to study His Word only to go out and exercise our faith!
This “come-and-go” rhythm in Jesus is much like breathing, spiritually. We breathe in His love and joy, and we breathe out obedience and surrender. There must always be that coming in followed by the going out.
One of the most spiritual, life-giving things we can do as a fellowship is to join together as a Church family for Worship and the Word and then intentionally take the love of Jesus into this darkened and complex world!
