We all know our bodies need rest, but Jesus knows our souls need rest.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble and you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Burdened? Weary? Troubled? “Come to me.” How often we look for other solutions, but Jesus knows He is all we need. Confusion about purpose, questions about eternity, sufferings from temptation, fear of death… What all wars against the soul? We don’t fully understand, but Jesus does. He knows how we are created inside and out, and He knows what brings true rest. Jesus understands all we endure because He lived on earth and was bombarded by the same pressures and temptations of this world.
“Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by his death He might destroy him who holds the power of death — that is, the devil — and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels He helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason He had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because He himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:14-18
While on earth, Jesus found rest in his Father and He bids us find rest in him. ‘Teach us, Lord, to rest in you.’
“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’” Psalm 91:1-2