There are precious few people I know who aren’t busy; who would define themselves as almost perpetually tired; and, if you get down to it, sick of the way life tends to play out for them on regular basis.
“Sick and tired.”
Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
How many of us have heard that? How many of us have said that? How many of us consistently feel that?
<<sigh>>
So when we hear Jesus’ words today, “come to Me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” those words are soothing to the ears!
“Yes, please!”
Yes, there is a lot more to His words and the ones that follow than we might initially grasp.
Let’s break some of this down:
First, let’s understand that His invitation to come to Him is open to all.
Second, He invited those who “labor and…heavy burdened.” This is far more than those who are fatigued in this world. The context suggests those who are being burdened by the rules and regulations of the Law. Those who are burdened by the religious authorities. Those who are burdened by sin. Those who are being beat down in the never-ending attempt to be good; to be godly; to be perfect.
Those who are truly “sick and tired.”
Does that include you?
Then Jesus gives more in His invitation to come…“take My yoke upon you and learn from Me.” Learn what? That He is “gentle and lowly in heart.”
So how is Jesus’ gentleness and humility help us?
Because He was gentle and humble to His Father unto death on a cross to take away all burdens and labors! His humbleness and gentleness leads to a release from all that holds down, all that encumbers, and that comes against us. All that makes us “sick and tired” – spiritually, emotionally, and physically! And since He has fulfilled everything needed, His yoke and burden is now easy and light!
It is telling that the next section after our text in Matthew is Jesus showing that He is lord of the Sabbath. Not only is He lord of the Sabbath, He is the fulfillment of it! He is our full and eternal rest! He is the answer to all that makes us “sick and tired!” Everything!
Halleluia! Thank You, Jesus!
“Gracious Lord; we praise and thank You that in Your gentleness and humbleness You fulfilled all labors and burdens and now give us full and eternal rest from all that makes us “sick and tired.” Grant us to see that fulfillment when our sins and the Enemy try to burden us again so we see the Truth in You. In Your precious name do we pray; amen!”
Scripture
- Matthew 11:28-30
- Psalm 145:1-14 (Repsponsory)
