By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

Jesus is Our Rest

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“Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 New International Version

Rest can be elusive.  This world, with its demands and its temptations, its worries and its frustrations, drives us mercilessly, pushing us ever harder to strive, to labor, to fret, to regret.  The Teacher in Ecclesiastes says it best, “Futility, futility, all is futility.”  The more we labor, the more we strive, the less satisfaction and rest we have.

This sign I found in Ada Station, Oregon, literally on a lake at the end of the road, reminds the visitor that he came here to rest.  And yet, in the midst of  this calm, quiet spot, many have no rest.

What can give you rest?  Some try money, alcohol, drugs, sex, pleasure of every kind.  Others search after knowledge and learning and accomplishment.  Yet others think that by moving to that quiet place they can find rest.  But the old adage is true, wherever you go, there you are.  Our frenzy follows after us and rest eludes us.

What can give you rest?  The answer is simple and profound.  Jesus can give you rest.  “Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Jesus offers to take our sin, our worries, our frustrations, our pain, our guilt, our striving and absorb it into himself.  He takes all that ugliness and hurt and sadness and absorbs it into his body on the cross.  Literally, Jesus is our rest.

Take it all to him,  Find rest in Jesus.  There is no other rest for the weary.

Lord Jesus, I give you all my sin, my guilt, my pain, my worry, my striving.  Thank you that you take it all.  Jesus, you are my rest.  Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado