Finding Rest

Taking Jesus Yoke… What does that Mean

Introduction: How many of us are tired after a good game of volleyball? How many of us know that we are going to get tired after playing volleyball? So how do you guys recover? Gatorade, dinner, maybe some good sleep?

Bridge: We can get tired in a lot of ways and with hard labor such as sports means there has to be a form of rest for restoring yourself. When it comes to living life some of us labor hard to be good. Good in sports, good in schools, good at work, good parents, good neighbors, good children, ect. It can be burdensome to try to do good and be good at something.

Turn with me to Matthew 11:25-30. What is Jesus saying here? What is this labor that the people and ourselves are doing, and what is this yoke/rest?

Context: The Jewish people were serving this Holy, perfect, and righteous God. Everything about Him is perfect and He’s given this law for the Jews to follow. They thought they were doing a good job but as it turns out Jesus says you must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. You love your neighbors Jesus calls us to love our enemies, you don’t murder Jesus calls us to not have anger in our hearts, ect.

This is so hard, but Jesus calls us to Himself, to His yoke. All who feel heavy laden and burdensome because of the Law. Thinking there is no way I can reach God Jesus invites. Come to me, I offer forgiveness, for you to be perfect to God, and I will transform you into My likeness and goodness.

Conclusion: Some of us are tired of trying to be good and look good in front of others. You do not ever have to feel that with God when you are in Christ Jesus. Because He forgives your wrongdoing, He displays you perfect to God through His blood, and He transforms you into looking like Him. And if God is the only thing that matters in the end I can find rest in other shortcomings because I am forgiven, justified, and sactfied by the One who loves me.