“All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, 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.’” (Matthew 11:27-30)  This week’s Gospel lesson (in my opinion) is one of the most comforting passages in the New Testament.  You and I are promised a reception by the Lord, to whom “all things have been handed.”  We may be confident that to meet Jesus is to find our comfort and peace.  But there is a parallel passage in Matthew’s Gospel which is just as well known: “All authority in heaven and on earth, has been given to me.  Therefore, Go!”  (28:18-20) Isn’t it a remarkable thing that the One who bids us come, is the same One who sends us forth?  And isn’t it a remarkable thing that Jesus has authority simultaneously to comfort us and to empower our witness to the ends of the earth?  Perhaps the two commands are really just two sides of the same coin: in other words, our gracious Lord never sends us anywhere to which He has not already arrived.  And it is there, just there in the mission field, that we find our own rest and joy.  What a mighty God we serve!