Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
This verse is often given to those who are suffering. That’s not its original context, but the verse doesn’t entirely loose its meaning when so applied because one of the primary promises that the risen Jesus makes is one of peace. John wrote of Jesus’ promise, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” Later in John chapter 20 we read of Jesus speaking His peace to those who had walked with Him – three times saying, “Peace be with you.”
Rest being an outcome of peace, it is not entirely wrong to appeal to Jesus’ promise of rest whenever we find ourselves harried or oppressed or suffering some weight upon our soul. Yet the context in which Jesus speaks of giving rest adds much depth of meaning to His promise. Consider that He had just told the disciples that the towns in which He did many of His miracles were to be harshly judged on account of their unbelief. For sure, the Jews of rural Israel would never have counted themselves as unbelievers. They believed. But they believed that they could earn their way to God by religiously following the Law.
Jesus knows that trying to earn your way into God’s good graces is a wearisome burden. Not only because it is actually impossible apart from faith, but because it is exhausting to live on high alert, lest you say or do anything that offends. It is tiring to have to work long hours so that you can afford an acceptable offering in the eyes of a religious official. Being a devout follower of any legalistic system is to live with a constant and challenging burden. One might think that it is easier for those who dedicate themselves to study instead, but you cannot study your way into God’s good graces either. No amount of knowledge of God’s Word and/or ways can substitute for adoption as His child. So having just explained that the Son alone knows the Father, that the Father alone knows the Son, and that the Son grants to those who come to Him to know the Father, Jesus promises rest to those who do come to Him.
That is the truly wonderful thing about this promise. Rest is something we gain when we are in the presence of Jesus. Rest from wearisome work because His work on the cross is enough. Rest from the burden of sin because He takes it from us. Rest from trying to earn our way into the Father’s presence because He simply reveals the Father – freely and without cost – to those whom He knows. Everything about Jesus speaks rest to our souls.
Moreover, Jesus gives rest to our bodies. To come to Him is to lay down whatever we carry that we might bask in His presence. To come to Him is to set aside the pressure of the day that we might listen intently for His Voice. To come to Him is to know true rest for body, mind and spirit. This is the privilege all who know Jesus have; real and present rest – whenever we come to Him , whenever we need refreshment. Truly, there is no striving in the Kingdom of God. Just peace, right-ness in our walk and work, and joy. Glory to God.
Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled mortals the peace of God.
Charles Spurgeon
APPLICATION: Intentionality
Do you need peace or rest today? Seek Him. He has it for you.