Rest for the Weary

"No rest for the weary," goes the cliche.  Now wait a moment, Mr. Cliche maker.  Clearly when coining your phrase you did not consider the words of Jesus when He said in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to Me, all you 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."  No amount of physical rest will eliminate weariness or the certainty of future aches and pains.  But rest for the soul!  Life has a way of sucking the "life" right out of us.  When our souls become weary of the drudgery of life, the emptiness of religious activity, the pain of rejection, fear of uncertainty, weighed down with guilt and shame due to our sin, Jesus bids us come to Him.  The life Jesus offers to all who receive Him is abundant for eternity.

The words of Jesus are ironic.  When we think about rest, we likely do not associate it with carrying a yoke.  The yoke Christ speaks of was a piece of wood customised to fit around the necks of oxen and attached to a plow.  It's a huge amount of work, pulling a plow back and forth across a field all day long.  That's why farmers employed oxen to do it!  Jesus does not offer us a sedentary life devoid of labour or responsibility, but He will provide rest for our souls.  He offers us peace that passes understanding on earth and eternal rest in heaven in the presence of the Father with exceeding joy.  God created man to do good works, not seek perpetual leisure.  It is only after we are yoked to Christ in relationship by grace through faith that we can taste and see how wonderful rest for our soul is.

Instead of seeking to secure our earthly future, the wise seek to invest in the eternal realm.  Once we are born again through the Gospel by the Holy Spirit, our aim is to enter into the good works God has prepared for us to do through His power.  Galatians 6:9-10 says, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."  Life is hard.  Even the bodies and minds of Christians grow weary.  The cure to our weariness is found when we tap into the strength supplied by the Holy Spirit, looking unto Jesus for direction and inspiration.  Hebrews 12:1-3 tells us, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."

When weariness hits, remember to consider Christ.  As a born again Christian, it is His yoke you have volunteered to bear.  He will be with you forever, for He has promised never to leave or forsake you.  The rest He gives is completely unlike the mirage of "rest" found in this world.  Be strong and courageous.  Has He not commanded you?  He will be faithful to do it!