Are you tired and worn out? Do you often feel like it’s a real struggle to make it through the day? Does it feel as if you’re stuck on a treadmill that just keeps spinning faster and faster with no sign of slowing down? Do you long for a break from the overwhelming demands of life?
In Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT), Jesus says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Jesus offers rest for our souls, but he also provides rest for our entire being. Doesn’t that sound nice? Could that be the remedy most of us have been searching for but not finding?
The Jewish Sabbath laws — including one of the Ten Commandments — pertain to God’s mandate that people take a regular break from their work so that they can experience rest. The Sabbath laws were given to humanity as a gift from God to remind us of his work of creation and redemption.
In observing them, we’re not only called to cease from work, but we’re also encouraged to enjoy God’s presence, cultivate holiness, and allow ourselves to be set apart for his purposes.
In the Old Testament, the Sabbath laws not only required a weekly day of rest, but they also established monthly, seasonal, and multiannual observances. However, with the coming of Christ, we now can find that rest in him every day. As the Apostle Paul states in Colossians 2:16-17, “… these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.”
Jesus began many sections of his Sermon on the Mount with the words, “You’ve heard it said … but I tell you…” He referenced the law — or some of the traditions that had been added to the law — and then proceeded to provide a better, fuller explanation of it to his followers. For example, he made it clear that it’s not enough that you don’t murder; you shouldn’t harbor hate in your heart toward others.
Also, it’s not enough that you abstain from adultery; you shouldn’t entertain lustful thoughts in your mind.
Jesus didn’t touch on the subject of the Sabbath in this sermon, but if he had, I think he may have said something along these lines.
“You’ve heard it said that you should remember the Sabbath and keep it holy by taking a day of rest once a week, but I tell you, you should set apart every day for the Lord. You should daily love, worship, praise, and honor me. You should daily rest in me — physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and relationally.
“You should daily humble yourself, submit to me, and obey my commandments. You should daily renew your mind and spirit in and through me. You should daily cast all of your cares upon me. You should daily come to me, take my yoke upon you, and learn from me.”
What will we receive if we do all of these things? True, complete rest — body, mind, and spirit! We can experience this rest up to a point here on earth, regardless of our circumstances or status in life, but we’ll experience its fullness only when we’re directly in his presence.
According to Hebrews 3-4, this rest is still available to us today. Don’t just occasionally rest in Christ. Rest in him all day, every day!
