You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: ‘If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.’ 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, ‘I am trembling with fear.’

22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’ (Matthew 11:28-30).

The word ”come” is repeated in today’s passage, and it is a word expressive of movement. No-one can come to Jesus and stay where they are. I think the New Testament word which best captures this movement is ”repent”. You could say it has movement built into it. It means a change of mind leading to a change of direction. It is to turn. In fact, it is an ‘about turn’: a turn through 180 degrees.

No-one can respond to Jesus’ most gracious invitation without movement. No-one can come to Him without repentance. There are those who admire Jesus from a distance, but that is where they stay. They admiringly look from afar and appreciate the view, but they do not ”Come”.