January 11, 2022 -- Matthew 11:25-30 -- Rest, doesn't that sound AWESOME? Rest for your soul

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At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:25-30 ESV

Jesus invites you right now to turn to Him. Immediately, no doubt, there are so many objections:

But I am such a great sinner. Won’t He despise me? This is what is hidden from the wise of this world and revealed to you, children in the faith—it is the Father’s gracious will that in Jesus Christ sinners would be forgiven.

But I don’t feel like, all these devotions and stuff, so much work. Hmm. Don't you think it is a lot of work to stay in step with the wickedness of the world? In order to avoid the cancel culture of this world you must obey all its whims and fashions. Then there are matters like body shaming--the constant onslaught of commercials for Noom, and Weight Watchers, and this or that new diet fad. Don't even get started on this world's view of “tolerance” that is no tolerance. No wonder Jesus invites you to turn to Him and find rest.

But I am weak. Yes, you are. That is an honest and necessary confession. Therefore take on Jesus’ yoke. It is a huge piece of wood with harnesses to bind two plowing animals together. In this instance, Jesus is telling you, when you are bound to Him, He will do all the heavy lifting. In fact, He already has. The cross is where all your sins have been atoned for and Jesus’ right-standing with God has been imputed, credited to, you.

But I don’t want to. As my accountability partner will tell you, I don’t want to go to the gym. If it weren’t for the fact that he will ask me: “What time are we going to the gym?” I’d skip out, gladly! It is why the Father has given us Jesus as our elder brother and the Father and the Son have given the Spirit of Truth to live in us. You are placed in community with Jesus Christ and with fellow believers who encourage you in the battle for true faith. A faithful Christian friend will ask you, "what time are you going to meet with Jesus?"

What a glorious picture it is: rest for your souls. Rest from doubt. Rest from inadequacy. Rest from the measuring stick of peers and their opinions. Rest from worry. Turn to Jesus and find in Him, rest.

O LORD,
Thou knowest my great unfitness for service,
   my present deadness,
   my inability to do anything for thy glory,
   my distressing coldness of heart.
I am weak, ignorant, unprofitable,
   and loathe and abhor myself.
I am at a loss to know what thou wouldest
    have me do,
   for I feel amazingly deserted by thee,
   and sense thy presence so little;
Thou makest me possess the sins of my youth,
   and the dreadful sin of my nature,
   so that I feel all sin,
   I cannot think or act but every motion is sin.
Return again with showers of converting grace
   to a poor gospel-abusing sinner.
Help my soul to breathe after holiness,
   after a constant devotedness to thee,
   after growth in grace more abundantly every day.
O Lord, I am lost in the pursuit of this blessedness,
And am ready to sink because I fall short
   of my desire;
Help me to hold out a little longer,
   until the happy hour of deliverance comes,
   for I cannot lift my soul to thee
   if thou of thy goodness bring me not nigh.
Help me to be diffident, watchful, tender,
   lest I offend my blessed Friend in thought and behaviour;
I confide in thee and lean upon thee,
   and need thee at all times to assist and lead me.
O that all my distresses and apprehensions
   might prove but Christ’s school
   to make me fit for greater service
   by teaching me the great lesson of humility.
"Need of Grace" The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions, ed. Arthur Bennett. Carlisle, PA: THE BANNTER OF TRUTH TRUST, 2020 reprint, page 180.

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