The warm words of Jesus

Jesus declared..."Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus speaks to those who have grown weary, tired or exhausted with toil, burdens or grief.  They are those who labour with wearisome effort.  They are those who are carrying a load. [See here and here.] I don't know about you, but that is something I experience far too often.  A heaviness of soul and a sense of unrelenting toil in many areas of life.

Are you weary from trying to meet people's expectations?
Are you tired of trying to remain positive in the face of difficulties?
Are you exhausted by the ever growing lists of things to do?
Are you labouring on and on to achieve a sense of peace in the face of guilt?
Are you carrying the load of self-loathing?
Are you carrying the burden crushing responsibility?

Jesus speaks into every situation, "Come to me...and I will give you rest."

Stop for a moment, and hear those words as they are.  His tone is warm and filled with love. Jesus does not want his people struggling under heavy loads, close to collapse.  Instead he wants to release us from all of that.  He wants us to see that our every desire and need is met in him.  Acceptance, hope, peace, wisdom, forgiveness, value are all met in him.

Knowing his perfect love releases us from slavery to expectations.
Knowing the hope he offers allows us to see our difficulties in right perspective.
Knowing that we can bring every task and priority to him in prayer allows us to begin to see our to do lists through his eyes.
Knowing that he died for us releases us from guilt.
Knowing his desire to bless us helps us to see ourselves through his eyes.
Knowing that he is perfectly sovereign and sustains all things allows us to place our responsibilities in his hands.

Who is he?  He is the same LORD who told Israel that “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”  Exodus 33:14

* Much of this post is inspired by this morning's sermon at Abbeyfield Community Church