“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

In the Old Testament, God handed down rules regarding what not to do on the Sabbath in order to embrace rest. In the New Testament, Jesus offered a new way. Rather than stressing regulations, Jesus called the disciples into relationship. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” In the preceding verse, Jesus pointed to His own ongoing relationship of oneness with His Father, the One He’s revealed to us. The provision of ongoing help Jesus enjoyed from the Father is one we can experience as well.

While we’re wise to avoid certain pastimes that can interrupt our sleep, resting well in Christ has more to do with relationship than regulation. Put down what you are doing right now and lay your burdened heart down on the pillow of Jesus’ invitation: “Come to me…”

Daily Questions

1. How does viewing rest as a relationship rather than a regulation change your view of rest?
2. In what area of your life is Jesus calling you to rest in relationship with Him?

Daily Thoughts

Dear Jesus, thank You for the rest You call us to in an ongoing relationship with You.

Matthew 11: 25-30

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.”

“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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.”

Bonus Information

Implicit in Matthew 11: 25-30 is the truth that we’re all under some type of “yoke,” that is, we each have a burden to bear in this world. Those who are “weary and burdened”, which at some point is all of us, have a choice to make. We can choose to remain under the yoke that comes from living in this world apart from God, or we can follow Jesus and wear His yoke. he assures us it’s easy and light. That may be hard to believe as we encounter life’s many challenges, but choosing to run from God brings a far greater burden, one that leads ultimately to despair. Life will bring all kinds of burdens, but how much better to follow after Christ. He promises a peace that the world can’t give.