Matthew 11:28-30 (click to view Scripture below)
Our reading today is for everyone who has clearly felt like they are being overwhelmed by the season and even more frustrated that it’s nowhere near complete. This reading is for everyone who’s everyday routine (labor) is making them weary (heavy laden). (v28a) Jesus says to all of these people (which includes all of us) I will give you rest! (v28b)
Lots can be said about the meaning of rest in the Bible. It’s more than ceasing from physical labor and more than removing ourselves from a hectic pace. The rest talked about in this reading is something that only comes by a deep and abiding relationship with God.
This season can drag anyone into a frenetic pace that tries to convince us that active participation in these seasonal activities is what will bring us happiness. However, the reality is that only the coming of Jesus into our lives will begin to convince us that our human effort can’t overcome the tragedies of life — only God’s grace can. Our human efforts to succeed will run out of gas, but Jesus has come into our world to overcome; to show us that relying on our own strength and efforts can become self-defeating.
Rest is when we come to realize that we can rely on the powerful might of God who will never fail us nor leave us high and dry. His love was directed to us even before we knew we had a problem. (Rom. 5:8)
So, if you are weary and heavy laden today, rest is the work of God that comes in Jesus Christ. He is a loving God who has made it clear that our frenetic efforts to make life meaningful are a wild good chase, but in Jesus we can find rest for our souls!
Vice President, ChildHope
Prayer: Lord, today I freely admit I am in desperate need of the kind of rest that only comes by abiding in you. Convict and forgive me of the tendency to overindulge in the frenetic pace of the Christmas season.
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Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
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.”
See other devotionals in this series.
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