25 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. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27 “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.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:25-30
The promise of rest is a key theme that runs throughout the Bible. It begins in Exodus, when the Israelites were slaves, forced to work and work every day. God demands freedom for this burnt out nation, so that they could fulfil their true purpose and worship him. God wants them to rest so that they could be present with him. In the Wilderness, God reaffirms this promise to lead them to a place of rest.
“My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Exodus 33:14
This was the purpose of the promised land. It would be a place of healthy rest. Also, notice that rest is linked to presence of God. Rest is found in the presence of God and for the purpose of being present with God. Rest is relational - we receive rest from our daily walk with God.
Jesus says the same thing, that it is when we come to him that we receive rest. Presence and rest. Rest and presence.
When we feel tired, we often think that the solution is abandon and escape. This is not that. When Israel in their fear turned away from the promised land, God said that, ‘They shall never enter my rest’ (Psalm 95:11). They could take days off and go on holidays and not receive the gift of rest. This is the rest that infuses us in every situation. It is the rest that sleeps in a storm and carries peace into every situation. Stress and challenges don’t respect days off. Whether it is relationships, house prices, cost of living, health issues, there are always challenges. Jesus does not promise that they will stop but that he will carry them with you. That he will bring presence into your challenges.
Jesus offers it to you as a gift, if you come to him. He offers rest.
Rest and presence. Come to me, all who are tired and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Reflect
- On a scale of 1-10 how rested are you?
- How are you prioritising presence in your life?
- What are you carrying today that you could bring to Jesus?
Respond
Pause and pray. What are you carrying today that is heavy? It doesn’t matter how big or how small it is, Jesus offers to carry it with you and to take the weight. Share it with him and ask for his help.
