Title Sabbath Vacation / Matthew 11:25-30
Content Sabbath Vacation / Matthew 11:25-30
It has been a full-fledged summer vacation season this year. There are rumors that vacation plans are reduced a lot because the economy is difficult, but vacations are fun nonetheless.
Today's message begins with a sincere invitation to those who have lost the rest of Jesus. “Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden. I will give you rest.”
1. Come to me, he said that he would give me rest.
Since noble people made in the image of God ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden and were driven out of Eden, people began to lose their true rest. It is not work that makes people tired and weary, but because of the sinful life that takes place in a relationship that is cut off from God. In work done without the provision of God's grace, people are more weary and bored than joy and satisfaction. So Jesus said to those who have turned away from God, come to me. He said that if you do that, you will find true rest. Jesus died on the cross for this. For those who have lost their relationship with God because of man's sins and transgressions, Jesus fully paid the price for their sins by bearing the cross for them. And he made the relationship between God and man become one. Jesus tells us to return to His bosom where we are at rest.
2. He invites those who labor and are heavy laden.
Who are they specifically talking about? Jesus said, “Is there any discrimination among those who are saved?” If you look at these words, “those who labor and are heavy laden” are to come. The meaning of the original word “to work hard” refers to a state of being tired from doing many things on your own. Everyone makes a living by working. Most of the work begins in order to realize one's will. I do my best to make that will come true, but things do not all go according to my will. Sometimes I am over-motivated, so I make unreasonable numbers, and when things don't go well, I get stressed out and live a difficult life. To those who live like this, Jesus politely invites them.
3. He tells us to learn first before we get rest.
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me.” A yoke is a tool used to put heavy burdens on animals or to do work. In Jesus' day, the yoke of Palestine was not carried alone, but always carried in pairs by two laborers. Therefore, when Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you,” he is asking us to take on the yoke with us. Then, what is the yoke to bear with the Lord? The yoke of Jesus is the cross. Self-denial is a prerequisite for bearing the cross. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23) . It is a promise that we will always be with you until the end of the world.
4. Jesus' meekness and humble heart.
Meekness and humility are the same but one. It is my heart to obey God's will rather than my own will in the sight of God. Knowing that it was God's will for Jesus to bear the cross, he accepted it with a meek and humble heart. No one wants suffering. But if this is truly the will of God the Father, it is Jesus' humility to be willing to bear it. It is my heart to accept the will of God, which is greater and greater than my will. However, there are many times when we rationalize our greed in the name of God's will. And depending on whether the event is fulfilled or not, the conflict of life is continuing. As long as you live like this, no matter how long you go on vacation, you cannot get real rest. True rest comes when our lives are in Jesus.