Rest In Jesus

Then Jesus said, come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. [Matthew 11:28]

We are working through the 15 changes to make 2024 a fantastic year. Today I want to talk about rest. This is the rest that we can have as believers, which is awesome!

***There is more information on the podcast this post is just an outline.

There is a physical rest that we obviously need for the health of our bodies. Because if we wear ourselves out, we then become no good to anyone. But even better than that is a rest that we as believers are entitled to. This is not a rest that people who do not know the Lord can experience. God gives us His children and His loved ones – rest.

Let’s first start back in Genesis where God rested, this will set the foundation for what we are going to talk about today.

So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.  And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation. [Genesis 2:1-3]

Today girlfriends, you are going to learn about a new way to rest. The way that God rests.

In Genesis 2 God didn’t rest because He was tired, He had created everything on the earth. The light, darkness, waters, mountains, trees, grass, fruits, and even people. His creation was so perfect that there was nothing left for Him to do.

When a painter creates a painting, they rest from their work when it’s finished because another brushstroke would be too much. A lawyer rests their case because they have done all that they can do. Likewise, God rested because everything had been created perfectly and in such a fashion that it didn’t need anything else added or any maintenance.

The Lord didn’t just create grass and trees; He created them with the ability to reproduce. That means He hasn’t created grasses and trees since the original creation. GOD HAS BEEN AT REST.

He created animals and people with the ability to reproduce. He hasn’t been creating animals and people since. He gave everything the ability to reproduce. GOD IS AT REST.

Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. [Isaiah 40:28]

We humans were created last and then look – we moved into GOD’S REST. Adam didn’t have to plant trees and wait for years to get fruit. He didn’t have to plant crops. God had already provided everything, and man just moved into GOD’S REST.

Likewise, as believers, (as a new creation) we don’t have to struggle to receive from God. What we need to learn to do is REST in what has already been provided. Seriously God is so good to us.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! [2 Corinthians 5:17]

Just as Adam wasn’t created until everything was complete and ready for him, Jesus has already provided everything we will ever need before we were saved. Now all we need to do is REST in what is already ours. We already have everything we need.

Now with that in mind let’s go back to Matthew 11

Then Jesus said, 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. [Matthew 11:28-30]

Having rest or being in rest is totally against the wisdom of this world. The way to get ahead in the carnal mind is to work harder. But Jesus says, “Come to Me and rest.” This means a place in Christ, REST, is simply an obedient response to what He has already done for us. This is a stark contrast to us laboring to get God to move as most of us have been taught to do. Now this next part of the scripture is even more powerful.

A yoke was made of wood with two hollowed-out sections on the bottom portion that rested on the necks of oxen that were used to plow or to draw a cart. Figuratively, a yoke symbolized servitude or submission. Jesus encourages us to submit ourselves to Him, for TRUE REST comes from serving Him, not ourselves. (putting God first)

A new ox was often trained for plowing or drawing a cart by yoking it with an experienced ox. The yoke kept the young ox from “doing its own thing,” and it soon learned obedience to its master. In like manner, we are to commit ourselves to be yoked to Jesus, as He guides our steps.

The most amazing thing is that Jesus does not give us harsh treatment or beat us into submissiveness or obedience. He has carried for more than His share in our load, and He wins us through His love not by harsh treatment. Because of His love and the Holy Spirit within us, we desire to be obedient to Him. When we REST or believe the Word that He has already provided for us our burdens become very light.

Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. [Psalm 127:1-2]

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4:6-7]

BOOK: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World (Mark Comer)