Rest for the Weary

As I read Matthew 11, verse 28 stands out. I think that verse stands out because it contains the word rest. When you are a parent to twin three year olds, the word rest gets your attention. It is the one thing you can never enough of no matter how hard you try.

There are actually many people in our world looking for rest today. Of course, not all of those people are looking for physical rest. Some are looking for mental rest. They want relief from the anxious and troubled thoughts that flood their minds each day. Others are looking for rest from the burden of guilt. They are weary from carrying the sins of their past. Others are looking for rest from addiction. The alcohol or drugs that they have served have been a cruel task master.

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus gives those who need rest a great promise. He tells that the old adage is not true. There is indeed rest for the weary. But how do we obtain that rest? Jesus says three things:

1. We have to admit that we are weary. Jesus invites the weary to come to Him. To look for rest in Jesus, one has to admit that he or she is tired. We have to say that we cannot carry the burdens of life by ourselves.

2. We have to live life Jesus' way. He has to be boss and Lord. Jesus says "take my yoke upon you." In Jesus day the yoke that united animals in the field was also a symbol of discipleship. When a student followed a rabbi, he was said to be taking the rabbi's yoke. That meant that he would rigidly follow the rabbi's teaching and instruction. To find rest, we have to let Jesus be our Lord, following His commands. At first, this doesn't sound restful. But Jesus says is yoke His easy and His burden is light.

3. We have to learn from Jesus. We have to continue to hear His word every day and to get to know Him more and more.

Why are there times that I am weary in all aspects of life? It is because too often I am trying to do all of the work myself. I need to continually yoke myself to Jesus. I need to obey Him completely in the power and the strength that he provides.