Finding Rest in a Restless World
“ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your soul. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
One of the greatest needs of mankind is simply just to rest. In spite of the economic and technological marvels of the modern era, never has life been so hectic and restless as it is today. At the same time, the pursuit of pleasure has intensified like never before, pleasure that gives a false sense of rest, a temporary relief at best.
Into a weary world that is stressed beyond exertion, comes an invitation from Jesus Christ to come to Him for rest. It is a call to all who labor and are heavy laden with burdens too heavy to bear. Christ confronts us with an offer: He will give us the rest we seek.
But we need to come to Him, and take His yoke upon us. Absolute allegiance is required. If we are to be yoked to Christ, we are to put ourselves under His instruction and teaching. A yoke takes only two — the teacher and the follower, so to be yoked to Christ is to forsake other teachings, to cleave to Him, and learn from Him.
How does Jesus give us this rest?
First, there is the rest of forgiveness. When we trust Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are justified by faith and obtain peace with God. When confronted with our past failures, shortcomings and sins that are beyond our own ability to rectify, we have the assurance that Christ has borne our guilt and sinfulness by His death on the cross, and paid the price for it all. He gives us rest from our conscience, rest from within. The rest of forgiveness.
Second, Christ gives us a new life as a result of being born again into the Kingdom of God. The new birth is not simply a moral teaching or moral effort: it is a miracle wherein Christ gives us His own nature; we become like Him. Christ gives us the rest that comes with a new nature, a new understanding and outlook in life, and a renewed mind.
Third, Christ promises to give us the Holy Spirit through Whom we receive the power and the strength to live this new life. We become partakers of the divine nature: God dwells in and within us, transforming and enabling us to do even those things that may seem impossible to the outside world.
True rest comes when our souls are at rest. Jesus Christ gives this true rest as our souls find our rest in God, a rest which Christ alone can offer as a free gift.
“The gospel of Jesus Christ only asks you one thing. Do you need rest? Have you failed to find it, are you desperately in need of it? Well if so, come!” 1
References:
C. H. Spurgeon, “Rest, Rest”, A Sermon delivered on the Lord’s Day January 8, 1871 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, London, UK
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The Heart of the Gospel, Crossway Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1991, pp. 154-192
Footnote:
1 Ibid., p. 186
*** Photography: Heron by Preston Manning
lilies, sparrows and grass 
Thank you for a reminder of the “wonderful words of life”. ~ Wendy
It is my humble pleasure, Wendy! Blessings, Dee
This is one of my favourite verses. Lovely picture. Great article. Thank you. Blessings from Lizzie Joy
Thank you, Lizzie Joy, and blessings to you, too! Dee
The rest of forgiveness…knowing that God has made us all-right with Him, just because we decided to simply believe that the price has been paid by Jesus. It’s almost incomprehensible, and wonderful, and awe-inspiring, that Someone would do that for us. Praise the Lord! and thank you for this inspiration, Dee…well said!
Lester
Yes, Lester, truly as you say it, Christ’s offer of rest is “incomprehensible, wonderful and awe-inspiring”. Thank you so much for expounding on the post. God bless you! Dee
Dee, thank-you. And we need to be reminded we have such a home – I don’t know how else to put it – home in the sense of a comfortable place to sit, friends who KNOW us, who are around – not too hot, not too cold, the light of God. To be known is to know rest – home – put your head here, listen to my heart beat, I love you, home. Your writing style and message conveys that – thanks.
Thank you, Sandra. I love how you relate this post to “home”, because indeed that is where we feel a belonging to, of being fully what we are, as we are, at peace and at rest with others who know us in the light of God, in the light of love. Love, Dee
it must be the sweetest offer ever made. thanks for the wonderful exposition.
Yes, Lorna, it really must be the sweetest offer ever made. Thank you so much. Love, Dee
Great reminder of the rest found in Jesus and the gospel. Thanks, Dee.
Thank you, John. I’m glad the post spoke to you. God bless, Dee
Dee, thank you for stopping and liking my post today. I look forward to following your blog. The post, Finding Rest in a Restless World today, resonated with me after a long and tiring day.
Take care,
Ivon
Hi Ivon, I was happy to have discovered your blog, through you liking my post yesterday. I am heartened that this post resonated with you after a long and tiring day. Thank you, too, for the follow, and I look forward to reading your posts as well. Blessings to you, Dee
One Lovely Blog Award Nomination
http://sonocarina.wordpress.com/2012/09/02/one-lovely-blog-award-nomination/
And thank you again, Carina!
my pleasure
thank you for wonderful place to rest and find peace
blessings!
I really appreciated you pointing our the three bases of our rest with the Lord… forgivness, the new birth and the Spirit. I’m not sure that I’ve ever heard these truths presented in this way. As I thought upon it, it was a very Scriptural presentation. It is much appreciated, great application as well. Lord bless you and thanks for the teachings.
Thank you, and I am encouraged by your comments. This teaching was derived from my two references in the post, but mostly from Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones. God bless you, too!
A beautiful reminder of such a simple message often too complex for the faithless. I enjoyed reading this and thank you for the reminder of the wonderful blessing we have of resting in Him! 🙂
Thank you! Yes, we indeed have the privilege and the blessing of finding our rest in Jesus. Blessings to you!
Amen. Precious words of truth. Thank you. God bless you.
Thank you, and the Lord’s blessings be upon you, too!
thank you for sharing these peaceful words!
It is my privilege, and I am blessed to know this post spoke to you!