If I were to ask you to list God’s top give gifts to you, what would come to your mind? I am very confident that His gift of salvation would be on the top of your list but what would come after, I wonder? Specifically, I am wondering if ‘rest’ would make it to your list.
When I asked myself that very question, ‘rest’ did not come to my mind. How very sad in the light of Jesus’ calming and soothing words to us in Matthew 11:28-30:
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.
First, we catch a glimpse of His character. When Jesus shares who he is at the very core of his being, he uses the words ‘gentle’ and humble’. The gentleness here does not mean someone who is timid or spineless. Instead, it describes someone who harnesses their strength and power to build up, not tear down.
The Greek word translated ‘humble’ or ‘lowly’ was used almost always in a derogatory and negative way, most commonly of people of low standing and having little value. By referring to himself as ‘humble’, one of its implications is, even though he is God, he is approachable and accessible everyone. People can come to him as they are without fear for he treats people with dignity, honour and compassion.
What joy and comfort that when we’re weary and burdened, Jesus meets us with gentleness; He welcomes us with open arms into his presence.
The second thing we see is His offer to all of us His precious gift of rest to us. He refers to it twice: “I will give you rest” and “… you will find rest”. When Jesus repeats himself, it is for emphasis. Please don’t gloss over the point Jesus is making for us about the importance of rest!
Start taking steps, no matter how small, to slow down, to pause regularly, not just to catch our breath but to go to Jesus with all the burdens we are carrying and receive His empowering rest for our souls.
A fellow fisher of people,
Mark
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