By Pastor Don Schatz

Rest

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28  New Revised Standard Version

I don’t know about you, but I can feel overburdened on occasion, like a dock with too many sea lions.  Docks float.  They are not supposed to be under water.  Do you ever feel like its difficult to keep your head above water?  Are you feeling like that now?  If not, what kinds of things can make you feel that way?

Jesus knew, Jesus knows that we can feel that way.  He did not shake a finger and say, ‘Tsk, tsk.’  He still does not.  The Lord does not expect us to be anything but human.  Good thing, right?  Because human is what we are.  No, Jesus said to the burdened, to those feeling underwater, “Come to me.”  This is first.  Do not rush to the end of the sentence.  Jesus first teaches us to listen, to remember his invitation.  “Come.”  Come to Jesus.  Hearing these words, attending to the lesson, we can put Jesus’ words into practice.  Remember these three words today: “Come to me.”  This is first.  Do not shoulder your burdens by yourself.  Do not accept the image of your life as you thrashing wildly, with  your nose barely breaking the surface of life’s waters.  Come to Jesus.

Now you are ready for the end of the sentence.  “I will give you rest.”  Go to Jesus.  Pray.  Ask for his help.  He will give you rest.  True to form, the Lord does not ask anything of us, accept to come to him.  He is training us to deal with our burdens and weariness of soul by coming to him.  Then, he gives rest.  He loves us.  He gives us rest.  No charge, no conditions, no small print.  Just rest.  He still breathes peace upon us.  The Spirit of Peace is still at home in hearts.  Tenderly, tenderly, Jesus is calling.  You.  Calling you home to his heart to rest.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado