Although we started our series from 1 Thessalonians this past Sunday, it seems wise to spend some time continuing our discussion on rest from the two weeks prior... so stay tuned for more on "a Church in Waiting". This week, let's find time to consider rest:Two weeks ago, Eric preached an outstanding message from Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus said, "Come to me, all who labor 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." In his message, Eric unpacked three common misunderstandings about this text:
1. It doesn't address the tired; instead, Jesus invites the weary. Tiredness is an exhaustion of the body, but weariness is a state of the soul coming from a reliance upon our own performance. But legalism never provides relief for our weariness.
2. It doesn't promise strength; instead, Jesus calls us to dependence. We're not rechargeable batteries- coming back to God for strength so we can go function on our own. Instead, Jesus invites us to serve plugged into His Spirit as we depend on Him. One of Eric's most functional metaphors for us was that of being "load-bearing walls" or "dividing walls". We quickly become weary when we choose to carry loads (friends' concerns, daily responsibilities, or our kids salvation) rather than casting them on the Lord.
3. It doesn't offer escape; instead, Jesus invites us to rest. We're called to restful activity not escapist passivity. 1 John 5:13 tells us that we can expect to be busy for God but not wearied in the process because ultimately, "His commands are not burdensome."
Last week, we looked at Hebrew 4:11-16 where God calls us to fight the unbelief that causes weariness within us. After looking at the OT concept of rest as a fruitfulness springing from the fulfillment of God's blessing on us, we saw that rest in the NT is centered not around land but around Christ. This passage in particular showed us that the restful soul tirelessly clings to Christ. Rest, then, is found in two places:
1. Rest is found in the promises of Christ (v 11-13). One quote was particularly helpful in reminding us of the dangers of unbelief:
"It is faith that enlivens our work with perpetual cheerfulness. It commits every part of it to God, in the hope, that even our mistakes shall be overruled for his glory; and thus relieves us from an oppressive anxiety, that is often attendant upon a deep sense of our responsibility. The shortest way to peace will be found in casting ourselves upon God for daily pardon of deficiencies and supplies of grace, without looking too eagerly for present fruit. Hence our clear course of effort is unvarying, but more tranquil; It is peace, not slumber, and rest in the work-not from it. Faith also supports us under the trials… Unbelief looks at the difficulty. Faith regards the promise."
2. Rest is found in the priesthood of Christ (v 14-16). Another quote was helpful in reminding us to find our rest in the intercession of Jesus:
“We will never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings or feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. Keep your eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when you wake in the morning look to Him; when you lie down at night look to Him. Oh! let not your hopes or fears come between you and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and He will never fail you.”
As you meet this week, take time to pray for those who are weary in your group. Remember specific promises of Christ and the priesthood of Christ as you unpack the dangers of unbelief and the fruitlessness of living as load-bearing walls.
