Young Adults' Group

I Will Give You Rest

by Pastor Mark
July 21, 2016

The need for rest

Last Saturday, we learned about the danger of becoming wearied and discouraged because of the sins and problems in our life. But if we truly consider the Lord Jesus and how He endured hostilities against Him, we can prevent ourselves from becoming wearied.

The problem of becoming wearied was a concern that Jesus had for His disciples too. He gave an invitation to all, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,” (Matt 11:28) The call was for all to come to the Lord Jesus and have true faith in Him. The word “labour” in Greek is “kopiao” which means “to toil till one is wearied.” We may become wearied because of work and of the challenges of life. We can become greatly burdened and overloaded with problems. How do we find rest when we are physically tired out?

The promise of rest

“And I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28)

The Lord Jesus gave a wonderful promise that He will give rest. But what is this rest that He was speaking about? The word “rest” in Greek is “anapauó” which means “to pause and be refreshed.” It is a kind of rest that brings about a refreshing experience. The Apostle Paul wrote of the refreshing ministry that he experienced from his fellow servants, “For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.” (1 Cor 16:18)

Jesus was not teaching only of physical rest. He was teaching about spiritual rest…refreshment that goes beyond the physical but to that which is of the soul, “You will find rest for your souls.” (Matt 11:29) Let us be challenged to seek spiritual refreshment. Let us believe that Christ will give us refreshment of the soul when we come to Him.

Taking on the yoke of discipleship

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,” (Matt 11:29)

Rest does not mean that we become idle. On the contrary, the Lord gave further instructions that we should take His yoke upon ourselves. What is this yoke? A yoke is something that a bull carries in order to plough the ground. Symbolically, this is the yoke of discipleship. The word “learn” in Greek is “manthano” which means to learn as a disciple. It is to follow the Lord Jesus as a disciple and to learn from His teachings and to obey His words. It is to serve the Lord as His disciple.

What is it that we want to learn from the Lord? Jesus assured, “For I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt 11:29) The Lord is not a hard task-master. He is a gentle master. He does not seek to be rough and harsh on us. The Lord is also a humble master who is not arrogant and proud. As we relate with the Lord Jesus and discover more about Him, He becomes so much more real. We will be specially blessed…to find spiritual renewal in Him. Let us be challenged to take up this yoke and learn from the Lord.

A word of assurance

“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matt 11:30)

The Lord Jesus assures that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. This is indeed a wonderful promise that we can trust the Lord for. We can find spiritual rest as we relate with Him.  He will bring about the refreshing of our soul. Let us be challenged to come to the Lord, to take up His yoke and to learn from Him as His disciple. Let us be refreshed by the reality of the presence of the Lord Jesus in our life.

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