The “I will” of Rest
Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
The word “rest”, is one of those words that can be expressed in a variety of ways. “Rest” is defined as “to relax, take a break, be at peace, be at ease or have a time of refreshment.” The Bible often speaks of rest, beginning with the week when God created all things. We are told how the work of creation was completed in six days and then, “he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done (Genesis 2:2). God rested, not because He was tired but simply stopped what He was doing, to set the example for mankind to follow. The fourth of the Ten Commandments made resting on the Sabbath a requirement of the Law (Exodus 20:8-11).
The command to rest was not an excuse to be lazy. Man and beast were to work for six days and then rest on the Sabbath day. The land also needed to rest (Leviticus 25:4, 8-12). Many people feel they must be constantly working, seven days a week, to achieve all they want to do. However, God instructs us to rest because of the advantages it gives.
For the Christian, the greatest and most meaningful rest is found in Christ. He invites “all who labour and are heavy laden,” to come to Him (Matthew 11:28) and cast our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7). It is only in Him that we find absolute rest.
The Jews were constantly struggling and labouring in an effort to make their lives acceptable to God. They were trying to obey many restrictions imposed upon them by obeying their ceremonial laws, but it is Christ alone who makes atonement for sin. . “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Who are those who labour and are heavy laden?
There are people who are seeking rest from the trials and burdens of life, but cannot find it in wealth or in pleasure and would give their well earned money for this rest if it was for sale, but it cannot be bought in a shop or market place.
Those seeking to keep religious laws
To appreciate our Lord’s invitation, we must recognise that the Lord was addressing the people of Israel who were burdened and weighed down with the importance given to the Mosaic Law and the legal laws of the Pharisees. Neither Moses nor the Pharisees could give rest from the pressing burden, or offer release from the heavy load, that the Law brought.
“The Law was given through Moses” (John 1:17), and because the Pharisees considered themselves the Law’s official interpreters, they elevated themselves to a position of authority in Israel. In Matthew 23:2 we read, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so practise and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practise.”
Christ referred to the scribes and the Pharisees as men who “sit on Moses’ seat”. As interpreters and teachers of the Law, the Pharisees claimed the authority of Moses. They also demanded that all Israel who submitted to Moses, should also submit to them.
The Lord warned the people of the repressive and legalistic ways of the Pharisees. He said, “Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers” (Luke 11:46).
Jesus was not referring to the difficulty and tiredness of physical labour, but to spiritual weariness. This came to those exhausted from following all the religious rules and keeping up all the religious appearances that were required of the Jews. The result would be the dissatisfaction, guilt and frustration that always goes along with legalism (a system of rules and regulations for achieving both salvation and spiritual growth. Legalists believe in, and demand, a strict literal adherence to rules and regulations).
The Lord Jesus had more hostility from the legalists of His day than any other group. It was not the thief or the immoral person who put Jesus on the cross – it was the legalists. Jesus pronounced six woes on the Pharisees in which He gave some of the specific problems with legalism (Luke 11:37-54). At the root of legalism is the sin of pride, because the legalist thinks that he is able to commend himself to God by his own good deeds. Religion without God is always trying to make the outer person look good, but it neglects the fact that the Lord looks on the heart.
The Talmud tells us that they had classified the Mosaic Law into 613 Commandments – 248 Positive Commandments (do’s) and 365 Negative Commandments (don’ts).
Jesus was speaking about the way the Pharisees had hidden the true meaning of the Old Testament Law with their own religious rules and regulations, placing excessive emphasis on outward appearance, and following a set of strict laws and instructions as the way to God and as a way to receive God’s blessing in life.
Even though the Old Testament Law was good, holy and righteous, it was weak and did not bring liberty because of its dependence on human effort. It left people feeling guilty because of their failure to remove their sin. Rather than freedom, it brought bondage and instead of a sense of release, it brought a sense of guilt and failure.
Jesus understood the burden of the Jewish faith to follow the Law and was inviting those under this stress and strain to come to Him for His yoke was easy and His burden was light (Matthew 11:30).
Those seeking to obey man-made laws
There were several hundred man-made laws a conscientious, law-abiding Jew would have to try and keep. When Jesus healed someone on the Sabbath day the Pharisees raised strong objections about the breaking of their rules. They prohibited the giving of aid to anyone who was ill on the Sabbath unless that person’s life was in danger (Luke 6:11). They also proclaimed that a Jew could only travel 1,000 yards from their home on the Sabbath.
They also stated that the plucking the ears of corn on the Sabbath and rubbing them in their hands before eating the grain, amounted to reaping and threshing (Luke 6:1-2). When a Pharisee invited Jesus to dinner, He did not get involved in their elaborate washing custom and when they questioned Him about it, He criticised them for their hypocrisy (Luke 11:38-41). The laws about tying a knot on the Sabbath were only allowed if it could be untied with one hand.
The Pharisees saw themselves as good people because they kept the Law and not as sinners in need of a Saviour. However, Jesus said they ought to be as careful about clean hearts as they were about clean hands.
Jesus condemned the Pharisees because they loved to be in the front seats in the synagogues and to receive the respectful greetings in the market places. They wanted people to notice how important they were (Luke 11:43).
Jesus came to free His people from the intolerable traditions of the Jewish elders, to cancel those unscriptural regulations, and introduce a purer and more spiritual way of worship. Therefore this invitation was extended to those who were weary and oppressed by the heavy load of rules and regulations placed upon them by the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:4).
Those seeking salvation by their own efforts
Christ’s invitation to come to Him is as relevant today as it was at the time when Jesus walked on earth. It applies to those who, for whatever reason, try to achieve salvation by means of their own efforts.
Christ addresses “all who labour and are heavy laden” – it is a wide description. It includes multitudes in this weary world – all are invited, whoever they may be, and whatever their past lives – to come to Christ.
It is in the midst of this religious setting that the Lord makes a very gracious invitation to all who would want to experience the relief, joy and the blessing of His life through a grace/faith relationship with Him.
Jesus always invites desperate, helpless, and seemingly hopeless people to come to Him. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).
Martin Luther entered a monastery to separate himself from the world. He endured great humiliation in the search of holiness and peace. If ever a monk could obtain heaven by his works, it was Luther, for he had been encouraged to satisfy God’s justice by his many good works. He tortured himself almost to the point of death to obtain peace with God for his troubled heart, but was unsuccessful.
Many people are like Luther, hoping and believing that their good living and their good works will be enough to get them to heaven. It was only when Luther came to realise his good works could contribute nothing towards his salvation, that he found his sins forgiven and peace with God.
Those who seek to earn credit towards their salvation are frequently searching for rest of soul and peace with God. But Jesus says, “I will give you rest.” The dictionary describes rest as cessation from action, motion, labour, or exertion. To enter God’s rest is to cease from all efforts at self-help in trying to earn salvation.
Those who are weary and burdened, making every effort to gain salvation, must take it as a gift from Jesus who came from heaven. “For by grace you have been saved through faith … it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
What is their Rest?
“Rest” is something we long for and work to achieve and very often it evades us, but Jesus said to his disciples, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). The Lord knew the value of rest. However, on this occasion, Jesus meant more than rest from toil and labour or from a weary journey.
What is the nature of this “rest” which Christ gives to all who come to Him? It is a spiritual rest, a satisfying rest, a “rest for the soul” as the Saviour declares later in this passage. It is a rest that this world cannot give or take away.
It is good to understand that because of where the invitation comes from, the promise will be fulfilled. He said, “I will give.” Therefore, as a result of who He is, there can be no doubt; He has the power and ability to do what He says.
At the time of General Election the politicians make many promises, but everyone knows that not everything will be done just as they promised. It means they will make the effort to fulfil their promises, and if the opposition party and the country support their policies they will probably be carried out. But here, there is no doubt it is a clear declaration from Jesus, “I will give.”
Now, what is promised? He promises “I will give you rest” and this rest is far reaching. We get so busy with the affairs of everyday living that we find ourselves struggling with life rather than enjoying it.
We are living in the most restless age that has ever been known in this world. Men and women are restless – they have no peace of mind, heart or conscience. But Jesus promises rest to “all” who come to Him.
He gives rest of heart
One of the most dreaded diseases in the world today is what we call “heart trouble” and often we hear of someone afflicted by a heart attack. The heart beats an average of 75 beats a minute, 40 million times a year. But one day when we least expect it, our heart will beat for the last time and when it does, life as we know it, will be over for us.
One of the most painful emotional experiences is that of a “broken heart” whether it is from the illness or death of a loved one, or for some other personal problem. In John 14, Jesus is not talking about physical heart trouble but about a spiritual illness. He is talking about a troubled, burdened or sorrowful heart.
Therefore, comforting words are found in John 14:1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” The broken, lonely or sad heart will find rest in Jesus. When Jesus said these words His disciples did not understand that He was going to the cross to die for the sins of the world. All they knew was that Jesus was going to leave them and as a result they were filled with fear. It looked like their world was falling apart and darkness was about to overtake them, yet they were not to let their hearts be troubled.
Jesus gave three reasons why they should not have troubled hearts: a) believe in God for He will care for them. b) one day Jesus will return to be with them and c) He will take them to be with him for ever in heaven.
Isaiah 53:3 refers to Jesus as “A man of sorrows.” Therefore, familiar with sorrow Himself, He would be able to comfort the hearts of His disciples when they become sorrowful and troubled.
Many people experience troubled “hearts” in the world today. The pressures of life and broken homes are causing many hearts to be broken. The Psalmist said, “The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27). Jesus declared that He can give peace of heart.
He gives peace of conscience
The Psalmist said, “For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me” (Psalm 38:4). Those who commit sin with apparent ease will one day have the burden of a guilty conscience to bear.
The Bible has much to say about our conscience. There is no word for “conscience” in the Old Testament Hebrew, but it is often illustrated. Joseph’s brothers certainly felt the sting of their conscience when they first came to Egypt to purchase corn. While Joseph’s identity was concealed, he tested his brothers, accusing them of being spies and casting them into prison. We read their response in Genesis 42:21. They said to each other, “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” Joseph did not remind his brothers of their past cruelty and they did not know they were in his presence. Joseph wasn’t dead, he was alive, and so was their conscience.
The root of the Greek word translated as “conscience,” means to be aware. The Greek speaking people in the New Testament days used this word in their everyday conversation. It basically described the pain that you feel when you do wrong. We see evidence of this in John 8:9 when those who demanded what should be done with the woman caught in the act of adultery. When Jesus wrote on the sand we see that one by one their conscience convicted them and they walked away.
God as our Creator has created us as moral beings. As such, God has equipped every human being with a “built in” moral conscience. The Law was given to the Jews, but for the Gentiles their conscience bore witness to how they should live. Their conscience was like a judge and jury in their hearts. Conscience is the voice of God in the soul.
God’s Word speaks of a blameless conscience and to be “blameless” means to be without offense. In Acts 24:16 Paul at his trial said, “I always take pains to have a clear conscience towards both before God and man.” The function of a conscience is to warn and convict us. The brothers of Joseph did not have a blameless conscience, they were filled with guilt.
God’s Word also speaks of a pure or clear conscience. Paul said, “I thank God, whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day” (II Timothy 1:3). This is a conscience that is clean and without regret. Paul was always giving his all and doing his best for God and others.
A clear conscience is a wonderful thing and it liberates us from fear and instils courage. We can remain calm and confident even in difficult times. Proverbs 28:1 says, “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” If we come to Jesus He will give us rest and peace of conscience. The conscience will no longer condemn us and we will have the peace that only Christ can give. Cf. Ps. 103:12; Isa. 43:25; Heb. 8:12.
He gives rest of mind and freedom from fear
A troubled mind is fertile ground for Satan to do his work. Many people struggle with anxiety or worry and cannot relax. Anxiety is not the same thing as stress. We all experience difficulties and challenges everyday – that is stress. Anxiety is different as it develops from an anxious mindset and the feeling of restlessness and agitations when the body is uncomfortable and the mind will not slow down. Fear causes a variety of reactions depending on the intensity, timing and coping options available.
In Isaiah 26:3 we read, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because He trusts in you.” Many people have a restless and troubled mind with all the worry and anxiety of the past, present and future but there is peace for those who put their trust in Christ.
Jesus told his disciples at the Last Supper, “Let not your hearts be troubled neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27). The book of Hebrews puts it this way, God has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” so we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6).
The Lord says in Isaiah, “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). God’s people are told to “fear not,” based on the promise God is with us and for us. We are able to “fear not” because of God’s presence, power and will.
Many people are afraid of loneliness, but Christ has promised never to leave us or forsake us. Therefore, we will never be alone. Jesus has promised to be our helper and when the burden is too great for us, we have Him to help us. We can come to the Lord with our fears and receive comfort and “rest”.
He gives rest for the soul
Jesus said, “I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). Jesus alone can give us the rest we need. The real need is not so much rest for our bodies, but rest for our souls. Some have said that it is too hard to be a Christian and live for the Lord, but Jesus said His yoke is easy and His burden light.
As Christ is the only One who can give rest for the soul, it is reasonable to conclude that no true rest may be found apart from Him. We cannot by our own work or effort, create it for ourselves. It is sad to find people searching for happiness and contentment in the things of this world, or from people of this world, when all the time they do not see the need to satisfy the soul.
The Psalmist was able to say, “The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. For you have delivered my soul from death” (Psalm 116:6-8).
When Jesus invited to Himself “all you who labour and are heavy laden,” He was speaking primarily of weariness of the soul. What makes the soul “weary and burdened”? The ultimate cause is our sin and its consequences, not to mention the impact we feel from the sin of others. However, the Psalmist was able to say, “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken” (Psalm 62:1-2).
The soul is worth much more than all created things, and therefore cannot find the rest and peace it seeks in the things of no eternal value. We should take time to seek God for He will bring eternal rest to the soul. After death, the souls of believers pass immediately into heaven because they have found peace with God in this life and are therefore safe and secure for eternity.
He gives rest from the temptations of Satan
The Spirit of God led Jesus into the desert to face Satan’s temptations and these took place immediately after Jesus’ baptism and before He began His public ministry. Why was it so important for Jesus to face these temptations from Satan?
Matthew 4:1 says, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” His ministry began with testing. When God created Adam and placed him in the Garden of Eden, He tested him. He gave mankind a free will and did not make him a robot with no freedom to choose for himself. The first Adam failed and we see the consequences in our lives and in this world today. Jesus, whom the Bible calls the second Adam, did not fail His test and in so doing is able to bring fallen mankind back to God to freely choose again to follow Him and His ways.
The Son of God was alone in His temptations. He had no help, support or encouragement from family or friends. Satan had Him on His own. Every follower of Christ will face a time of testing of his or her faith. The testing will usually come at the time of our greatest vulnerability.
Jesus faced three temptations. The first temptation was to turn stones into bread. The second was to jump from the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem where He would be rescued by angels. The third temptation was to worship Satan. The temptations of Jesus were recorded to help all who are His disciples to understand how, Jesus the Son of God in flesh and blood, was “one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
We have this promise that God will never allow us to be tempted beyond our ability, and that He will always provide for us a way of escape. “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13; cf. 1 John 4:4).
We should be comforted in our times of testing by the fact Jesus went through the same. Jesus meets us in our hour of need and in our moment of trial and testing, as the one who defeated evil and overcame temptation. When believers enter heaven they will no longer have to face the temptations of Satan.
He gives rest in heaven
Peter said, “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practise these qualities, you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:10-11). There is nothing greater to look forward to than rest in heaven. The Lord will welcome those who have come to Him as their Saviour. There is a crown waiting for those who keep the faith.
In our work we may desire security, promotion and job satisfaction; in our lives we may want excitement and pleasure but these things are only temporary. There is a future rest beyond anything that can be experienced in this life. There shall be a perfect resting from all sin in heaven, for nothing shall ever enter there which could either defile or disturb our peace.
In heaven there shall be no more sin and no more sorrow from the heartache, sorrow and pain of seeing the evidence and effect of sin daily in society around us. When the apostle Paul was in Athens, “his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols” (Acts 17:16).
In heaven “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). We know that those who have put their trust in Jesus Christ to save them have the assurance of peace and rest for eternity in heaven.
Life on earth is a constant battle against the world, the flesh and the devil, but in heaven the fight will be over and life will be very different, for heaven is a place of rest.
Jesus Christ came to save sinners – those who have gone astray and come short of the glory of God. This “I will” goes right into the heart, “whoever comes to me, I will never cast out” (John 6:37). It does not matter who the man or woman is, or what their trials, troubles, sorrows or sins may be, Jesus gives the invitation, “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” and they will truly know and experience that promised rest.