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We all want to experience the teaching of this verse taught by Jesus:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28, ESV).
Jesus isn’t just talking about a good night’s sleep, but about spiritual, emotional, and physical peace that lives above fear, anxiety, and weariness. Jesus doesn’t promise a life without difficulty, but He says clearly. . .
Come to me!
Matthew 11:25-30 is what I call an “encapsulated” teaching, as these few verses by themselves (encapsulated) allow us to understand finding rest. The more you read it, the more you understand. The more you understand, the more you experience His rest.
Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will” (Matthew 11:25-26).
Jesus tells us how not to find peace — the way of the wise and understanding; and how to find peace — the way of a child. Jesus’ metaphorical teaching explains a simple faith, not necessarily uneducated or sophisticated, but one that is free from concerns about the goodness and greatness of God.
We will never find rest if we don’t trust our Father in heaven! Note in the next verse how many times the word “Father” is used.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him (Matthew 11:27).
“Father” is used three times and “Son” is used three times; this is the handoff verse from Father to Son. Father is Lord of heaven and earth (v. 25), but now “all things” are handed to the Son.
Our belief (faith) comes at the discretion of Jesus, “whom the Son chooses to reveal,” which means that if you believe in Jesus, He chose you. Wow, think of the implications. Did He choose you for anxiety and worry or for His yoke and burden that ironically brings rest?
Come to me, all who labor 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 (Matthew 11:28-29).
The key for rest can be found in the word “come” — it’s imperative as in casting aside everything and sitting beside Jesus. All worries originate from holding onto something that’s not of Jesus.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:30).
A Biblical yoke had room for two oxen.
Jesus’ yoke has space for only two as well — you and Jesus. There’s much difficulty, cost, pain, and work in following Jesus, but it’s not so bad, and in fact, it’s rather easy with Jesus pulling the yoke alongside us.
Rest. . . rest. . . rest. . . isn’t the absence of work but being yoked with Jesus for our Father’s will to be done on earth.