Rest!

Reat!

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Matthew 11:28 AMPC

The Context and Focus:

As you read the entire chapter from where the verse for today is taken, you read of Jesus teaching his disciples, and when he had finished, he also went ahead to teach in the cities of Galilee. Everyone had the opportunity to hear and listen to the words of Jesus, as he taught about his father and his kingdom. As it was in those days, so is it still now. God has given grace for His Word to be available to all men on earth, and it is also his promise that the gospel will be preached among all nations of the world, before the end will come. It shows the heart of love of the Father, who would not want anyone to perish in eternal damnation without an opportunity to hear about the One who gives and secures life. Jesus had some words of condemnation for those who heard and saw His mighty works then, yet refused to repent and turn to God. In the same way, so would there be judgment for all who will hear and see today, and also refuse or neglect to take the right step. What would the right step(s) be? 

The Message:

There is a standing invitation to all men to COME. There are no limits, conditions or restrictions. The verse simply says 'Come'. It means that the One who calls me to come has the capacity, capability and ability to do all He has promised. As it is impossible for God to lie, since he is not man, he means what he says, and says what he means. He also tells me who to approach. Men would usually pass on the help to other people, and they would sometimes not be bothered to lift a finger to help. It could just be that they just cannot help, or they would not help, but whatever it may be, a man like myself, who cannot even guarantee the next minute, is the worst place to go to for help in an emergency. Man cannot help you beyond his capacity and emotional state at the time. There is a God who makes Himself available to me at all times and in all situations, telling me that his hand is mighty to save, his ears clear enough to hear me, and his heart large enough to love me with all my baggage and excesses. 

The Conclusion:

No matter the worries or concerns, Jesus asks me to come. Whether I am weary or just tired of the world, He asks me to come. It is quite interesting that what he promises is rest. The answer to my problems may not be complete relief from them, but divine help that makes it easier for me to bear and continue. What Jesus gives is the relief that is perfectly matched to the problem I bring. At the heart of my help is my admission that I need help, I know Jesus can help, and I come to Him in total surrender. How can I demand or expect help from someone I have not submitted to, or whose authority I have either refused or failed to recognize? There are times when He may not take away the problem, like he did with Paul, but his rest will help you achieve even more than you could ever imagine. That is what God's rest looks like: able, capable and sufficient for whatever it is life throws at you. He is the comfort in the face of loss, and help in the midst of pain. He is all I need. Would I take him up on his offer? Would you? God's time of favour is here.