Finding Rest

I was studying the Gospel of Matthew the other day, I read several verses that most of us know from memory…yet the Lord showed me something exciting and very profound (at least it was to me). 

Matthew 11: 25-30  At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.  Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.  All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.  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.”

It becomes children to be grateful.  When we come to God as a Father, we must remember that He is Lord of heaven and earth, which means we must come to Him with reverence as to the Sovereign Lord of all; yet with confidence, because He alone is the One able to defend us from evil, and to supply us with all good.

Jesus made a remarkable statement to those listening.  He declared that the Father had delivered into His hands all power, authority, and judgment!   Our Savior Jesus Christ is all the revelation we have of God and  our Father’s will and love.  Our Savior has invited everyone and anyone who labors and is heavy laden (burdened in mind, soul, body, spirit)  to come unto Him–freely!  (The burdens themselves are the fruitless cares regarding wealth,  sensual desires in pursuit of pleasures, the weight of this world’s needs and wants.   Those who labor to gain their own righteousness, labor in vain.)

Jesus invites all to come to Him for rest to their souls.  He alone gives this invitation!  When people come to Him feeling their guilt and misery, and believing His love and power to help, they in turn will seek Him in fervent prayer.  This is the Gospel call–whoever will, let him come!  All who do come will receive rest as Christ’s gift, and obtain peace and comfort in their hearts.  This is accepting Jesus as one’s personal Savior.

But, in coming to Him they must take His yoke and submit to His authority (His Lordship) They must learn of  all things about Him and obey what is learned.  He accepts the willing servant, no matter how imperfect they are.  Here we may find rest for our souls, and here only.

There is no need we fear His yoke. His commandments are holy, just, and good.  It requires self-denial and often exposes difficulties because of the obedience, but this is abundantly repaid by inward peace and joy. Jesus yoke  is lined with love.  So powerful is the help He gives us, so precious the encouragements, and so wonderful the sharing of yoke, we can truly say, it is a yoke of pleasantness.  Sharing the yoke with our Glorious Savior is the way of rest.  In all this we see and begin to know Redeemer’s mercy.  Why would the burdened sinner seek for rest from any other way?

Coming to Jesus Christ and taking His yoke upon us delivers us from wrath and guilt to come;  from sin and the power of Satan; and from all our cares, fears, and sorrows of this world. 

So, why not come to Jesus to find rest for your souls?