“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 HCSB
As a former student pastor I have participated in more “Lock-in” and “all-nighter” events than I wish to remember. I can recall taking hundreds of teenagers to the local YMCA to spend the night swimming and playing racquetball and basketball along with a variety of other activities. Of course there was plenty of pizza, cookies, chips, and soda. When I finished those events, the only thing I longed to do was go home and get some rest. I was tired and fatigued and my body needed to recuperate.
Our bodies are designed to need rest and relaxation every day. When Jesus said, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened,” He was not talking about someone who had just been a part of an “all-nighter”. Rather, He was referring to the many demands and expectations imposed upon the people by the religious leaders. The Pharisees required the people to follow difficult rules and regulations as the way to salvation. These rules were a burden to the people because there was no way they could keep them. Jesus offered forgiveness of sin and salvation without having to keep any rules. The people only had to believe and trust Him. His ways are easy. We can truly rest when we stop worrying and trust Jesus to take care of any problems or burdens we are experiencing.
Challenge: Are you exhausted and feel like the pressures of life are crushing in on you? Jesus wants all who are struggling to come to Him. In Him you can find peace and rest. Only He can give you what you need.