Where to Find Rest
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labour 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.” (ESV)
When I mention the word “rest”, what image springs to mind? Sitting on a tropical beach somewhere with palm trees swaying gently in the breeze? Perhaps being tucked away in your bed, ready for a good night’s sleep? What does that word “rest” mean to you?
Of course we each should take a break from our labours on a regular basis. And, yes, a good night’s sleep is vitally important to our health and wellbeing. But you can’t live your whole life on holidays or in bed. Life’s there to be lived.
Which is precisely the point that Jesus makes as He speaks to us about the rest, the deep, abiding rest that He means to give us.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labour 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.” (ESV)
Hmm. Take my yoke upon you. A yoke, not a deck chair on a cruise ship – a work implement that goes over the shoulders of oxen to distribute the load.
In other words, yoked together, shoulder-to-shoulder with Jesus through His love, His wisdom, His teachings … right in the middle of living life, of doing all that He’s calling you to do … that’s where He means for you to find rest for your soul.
By all means, take a break from it all. But then get on with life and … take His yoke upon you, learn from Him … and you will find rest for your soul.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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