Rest according to Jesus - Rest #4

Today we continue with the 4th installment in the "rest" series. I hope it has been as helpful for you as it has been for me. Today we'll look at Jesus' words on rest in Matthew 11. There he says,

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

We'll just make a few observations for reflection:
1) The implication from this passage is that all people are "rest deprived." While we are physically busy people (always running here and there), that isn't exactly what Jesus is saying. We are a people without spiritual rest. Our rebellion against God's rule (sin) has led to spiritual weariness. We were created to live under God's rule, and we've all told him to shove off. We seek satisfaction in places other than the God of the universe, we want to run our own lives, and we've subsequently made a mess of things. The result of our rebellion is spiritual weariness and misery. Our consciences condemn us. Do you sense this tiredness in yourself? Would you describe yourself as spiritually rest-deprived?
2) Praise God that Jesus offers rest for the spiritually weary (all of us)! Our rebellion can be forgiven, and we can have peace with God. That is the rest that Jesus offers to those who come to him. Better than rest from a hectic schedule, better than easier circumstances, better than inaction; Jesus offers true joy as a result of forgiven sin. He offers spiritual rest as a result of reconciliation with God. We'll see the full implications of this at Jesus' second coming, but it can be experienced presently. If you are spiritual exhausted, it's time to seek true rest in Christ.
3) Those who desire this rest, must take his yoke upon them. Like an ox submits to its master, so those weary rest-seekers must submit to the rule of Christ. They must trust in their master and His sacrifice on their behalf, and obediently submit to His commands. Living as a disciple of Christ brings true happiness, joy, and rest. Living life under His rule brings rest even amidst life's most challenging circumstances. His commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). His way is truly "easy."
4) I love this picture of Jesus that Matthew offers. Jesus is gentle. He is "humble in heart." He deals tenderly with His children. In a world of harsh and imperfect bosses, in a world of broken relationships, and mistreatment by authorities; Jesus is a sweet and tender shepherd. This reminds us of Isaiah 42:3, where Isaiah looks ahead to the coming of Christ and says this of Him,"A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice..." That is our savior. He doesn't break spiritually-exhausted bruised reeds, he brings forth justice. He brings forth true and lasting rest.

Puritan Richard Sibbes talks further about this rest that Christ brings. You can read it here. His short book A Bruised Reed is a gem.