He's Waiting For You

Revelation 22:16–17 KJV 1900

16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

All other religions say “GO!”

Go to Mecca

Go to Rome

Go Do this or that

Jesus in some of the last words of the Bible says simply - “COME”

It is an invitation - some have termed it “The Last Invitation of the Bible”

in our verse Jesus is inviting all who will

An invitation implies that at a time and place I will be waiting for you.

The Bible is chock full of instances and scriptures that show we have a God who is waiting on us.

2 Peter 3:9 KJV 1900

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

One hymn writer put it this way:

“He stood at my heart's door in sunshine and rain And patiently waited an entrance to gain;”

I am so thankful we have a God who waits a God who is patient a God who understands us and knows how to approach and speak to us.

1. Waiting for those who do not know what they need

in John 4 we find a beautiful story where Jesus traveling from Judaea to Galilee he didn’t even have to but I love that John 4:4 “4 And he must needs go through Samaria.”

why??? There was someone that was on their way to a well who needed him and didn’t even know it.

I used to network with a lady who owned a restoration company. They would come in after a disaster, crime, or if someone had mold growing and would clean up and restore

her slogan was - “It is better to know me and not need me, than to not know me and need me.”

kind of an interesting line - but this woman didn’t know Jesus and didn’t even know she needed Him.

There are people like that

She was just going to draw a bucket of water - all the while the Water of life was waiting for her.

She was just going to get something she knew she needed - while Jesus was waiting to give her something she didn’t realize she needed.

can I just remind you this morning - He’s still waiting by the well.

I think it was Rodney Griffith who wrote:

He's been waiting by the well-side, knowing you'd be passing by So take advantage of the moment He's not gone, He's still waiting by the well Are you tired of being thirsty, even though you've had your fill Of the water that the world gives? Does it leave you longing still? Well, there's good news up at the well-side A woman's voice rings loud and clear She says this man changed her forever And if you need hope, you can find it here

Jesus is waiting for those who don’t even know what they need - He’s waiting to restore

2. Waiting for those who are coming home

We find in Luke 15 a series of parables Jesus tells about lost things. He tells about a man who had a son who took off and left home to strike it out on his own. He wanted to do things his way. He didn’t like all the rules and regulations of home and dad.

For awhile things were good he thought - but when the funds ran out and the friends fell off he had to find a way to stay alive. The famine came and he began to be in want

he joined himself to a citizen of that country who sent him out to feed swine.

As he would throw the corn husks and other slop out to the pigs his stomach would growl and he longed for a bite even of what he was feeding the pigs.

We look at this and say - there is no way that people get into this place - but I have lived long enough to see it.

I have seen people go through trash cans, just to find a little leftover food to eat

I have seen people so stuck in the mire of drinking and drugs that they were ok living in filth and going without food

Whenever we put pleasure and what we want over what God has for us - it will lead to dark places

but i love Luke 15:17 “17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!”

You know the story - he gets up rehearses over and over what he is going to say to his dad and heads for home.

I love how Luke tells us that Jesus - trying to show us the Father - says, “and when he was a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him....”

Can I just point out the obvious this morning - If the father saw him a great way off - that means the father was looking and waiting for him to come back home.

He’s still at the gate, still has his hands over his eyes scanning the horizon waiting looking expecting you to come home

Still saying

Revelation 22:17 KJV 1900

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

He will renew - he’s waiting to renew - to bring back into the home

Restore

Refresh

Renew

Reassure

3. Waiting for those who know they need something but can’t figure it out

I see him at his desk counting money and feeling confident and satisfied. Look at all he had accumulated, he was a self-made man. yeah he might not be as tall as others, but he sure made up for it in shrewdness and money.

Then there was that nagging thought- that irritating feeling that ran through his mind again. he just couldn’t seem to shake it or get rid of it no matter what he did.

“Is this really all there is to life”

That’s when through the open window he heard the news on the street - Jesus the great teacher and healer is coming to town.

Zacchaeus said - “I’ve had enough of this doubt - I’m going to go see if Jesus can do something about it.”

He didn’t even bother to put all of his money away, he jumped up and ran out the door and to where Jesus was supposed to be.

But Zacchaeus was not as tall as others and the closer he came to where Jesus was - he realized he was not going to be able to get to him.

then he had an idea - there was a sycomore tree by the side of the road where Jesus was coming he might have been short - but he could climb a tree - and there was a limb right above where Jesus would stand. He would have to think of a way to get his attention later - but for now he could sit and wait

Jesus may have been surrounded by people - all clamoring for his attention - but he was passing through Jericho waiting for Zacchaeus

As he passed the tree he stopped and looked up and told him to come down - I’m coming to your house today

I love what it says about Zacchaeus, “He made hast, and came down, and received him joyfully.”

That is the key - for those who know they need something but don’t know what they need - we have a God who knows where you are and has what you need

You may be up a tree,but Jesus is passing your way - receive him joyfully

4. Waiting for those who need a touch from Him

Luke 8 and Matthew 9 shares a story of a women who had a health issue - she had tried every cure suggested to her and many made her feel worse than helped. She had spent her money on doctors and vitamins, and essential oils, she was broke but the problem was still there.

she heard of Jesus and knew if she could just get to Him and “if she may but touch his garment, I shall be whole”

I know Jesus was on the move - but I wonder how many times Jesus paused waiting - she is supposed to be here, I know she is on her way,

Jesus in his humanity may not have seen - but God did

he saw her struggle to get out of bed that morning,

saw her begin to brush her hair - but she had to stop several times to rest - she was so weak and tired

He saw her as she would walk a few yards and then have to lean against a tree to rest

God was waiting - one of His children needed a touch

Oh saints - I want you to know that God knows what you need, it may seem like he’s on the move and going to leave you behind - but I promise you He’s waiting on you

You can put all of your confidence in God. He is not angry with you, His dear child! He is not waiting to pounce on you in judgment—He knows that we are dust and He is loving and patient toward us.18

A. W. Tozer

he still says, Rev 22:17 “17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

Jesus waited for the woman at the well

Jesus waited for Zacheaus to climb the tree

Jesus waited for me

Jesus is waiting for you

“He is right here all the time” waiting patiently in line

What an idea of the mercy, faithfulness, love of God

Waiting yes for us to get saved

but also waiting for us to quit depending on ourselves and turn to Him - he’s right here

I don’t know you are - but I know where He is!!!