The Essence of Rest

“Come to me all of you that 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, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly and the burden I give you is light.”

(Matthew 11: 28 – 30)

In the light of what we have already said about rest - one possible objection remains to be addressed – that this is all an excuse for a life of laziness! However Jesus invitation is to share his “yoke” – a picture of two animals ploughing (working) together and an illustration of the way we are bound to him and he to us!

Furthermore, is important to understand the essence of the rest Jesus refers to. It is a place where the soul (mind, will and emotions) rests, untroubled, in the goodness, grace, protection, all-sufficiency, and wonder of the Father’s love! This is not merely a concept but an experience – the testimony to which can be found throughout the pages of the bible – particularly in the Psalms. It is that place David refers to in Psalm 23 when he states – “The Lord is my Shepherd; I have everything I need.”, in Psalm 91 where he writes – “This I declare of the Lord; He alone is my refuge, my place of safety, he is my God and I am trusting him.”, and, in Psalm 131, when he records, in the face of great difficulty, – “But I have stilled and quieted myself, just as a small child is quiet with its mother. Yes, like a small child in my soul within me.”

This is a place of rest where the storms of life fail to unsettle, the sudden tragedies of human existence fail to alarm and the sea of unexpected circumstances fails to trouble. It is a place we all want to live – and some strive and scheme to enter – yet this rest can only be known in the loving arms of our heavenly Father. Far from being an excuse for “doing nothing” this is the only place from which all true “work” and success flows!