Matthew 11 - 11.17.25

Scripture

Matthew 11:28-30

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Observation

“These last three verses of Matthew 11 are called the Great Invitation. Those invited are "all ye that labor and are heavy laden." Christ's teaching has a special appeal for the poor, the downtrodden, the despised, rejected, and suffering of earth; but it is incorrect to assume that only these are invited. Rather, ALL people are invited to fly unto Jesus for peace and redemption; and, in one sense or another, at one time or another, by some means or another, every soul ever born into this world is "weary," "heavy laden," and troubled by the common sorrows and calamities to which flesh is heir. In this larger view of the unmitigated sorrow in which all men dwell, the Great Invitation excludes no one. The common burden of sin, sickness, death, doubt, disillusionment, and sorrow is an invariable heritage of every man coming into the world. Reasons why men (and women) should come to Christ are: (1) for the rest He will give, (2) for the rest they will find, and (3) because Christ is meek and lowly in heart, thus fully qualified to provide sympathy, love, understanding, and whatever else may be required to alleviate human distress and to provide eternal life.” (Reference: Coffman Commentaries on studylight.org)

True rest comes from Jesus Christ alone. 

Sometimes I hear people say that they need a vacation from their vacation. This just proves that external rest never satisfies the way internal rest with the Lord does!

We find rest, refreshing and a lifting of the burdens from our souls by being with the Lord, knowing that we are loved, forgiven and cherished by Him just because He chose us first. 

Application

Take a break with Jesus. We are LOVED by Him just because we are His beloved child. 

None of us were created to run 7 days a week! I used to do that when I was younger and it literally caused my body to shut down! 

We need to get off the hamster wheel and stop to reflect once a week. For me, that means getting off of social media for a bit and not answering any emails, texts or phone calls unless it’s an emergency. I need to quiet my mind and soul down to read His Word, journal, listen, pray and fast. I need to be with Him with no distractions. On my Sabbaths, I also give myself permission to do other things that I enjoy, like reading and playing music, unrelated to work.  The work will always be there the following day and it’s healthy for people to not be dependent on us every single day. 

Pastor Levi did a great sermon on rest, titled “No More Bricks.” Here’s the link to it if you missed it: https://youtu.be/k2XU4b-iu8s?si=5v3a5LWgnaHJa37Z

What does rest look like for you? What needs to change in your schedule to make sure resting in Jesus becomes a priority? Praying that we all seek true rest for our souls through the Lord. 

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank You for Your gift of rest. I am reminded that Jesus went away OFTEN to be with you. (Luke 5:16) I pray that I would not just set aside a day of rest, but also go away with You often everyday to refresh and recharge. Thank You that I don’t have to work for Your love and affection, but that I work as a result of Your love and affection for me. I pray for everyone reading this that they would also set aside time to rest with You. Help us to stop carrying around weights and burdens that You have never called us to carry. We surrender and release it to You Lord. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi