FINDING REST

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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Matthew 11:27-30

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Easter Sunday. What an awesome day for Christians…a day of celebration and rejoicing…a day when our Savior defeated death and the grave to rejoin His Father in heaven…and in doing so pave the way for us.

Indeed, it’s been a journey over these last 40 days and nights through Lent. It’s been a long trek filled with review...reflection…repentance…recommitment…and renewal. And if we have observed Lent properly, then we’ve traveled a good distance with Jesus and we’re weary as we reach Easter.

For we’ve walked with Jesus through His ministry along with His chosen twelve all the way to Jerusalem and the waving palm branches that greeted Him.

We’ve been with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane as He prayed and then betrayed and arrested.

We placed ourselves with Jesus as He was taken to trial and wrongly convicted of blasphemy, sentenced to die a criminal’s death through crucifixion.

We imagined walking with Jesus as He carried His cross to Calvary, then witnessed Him nailed to that cross and then hoisted up to hang and suffer for our sins.

We listened as He was mocked and derided by those who gathered to watch Him die and yet asked the Father to forgive His attackers because they weren’t aware of what they were really doing.

We sensed the deep anguish of loss as Jesus gave up His spirit and died.

We then followed Joseph as He asked for and received Jesus’ body, preparing it and placing it in a tomb which was then sealed.

And today, we visit the tomb to find it empty. For Jesus has risen as He said He would on the third day. Those who thought they would rid themselves of Him through death actually were participants in Jesus existing forever…and even more than that, presenting an opportunity of eternal life through resurrection for anyone who would believe in Him (John 3:16) whether Jew or Gentile. The curtain that had separated man and God was now torn in two and replaced by a bridge in the way of Jesus Christ.

Yes…if we have truly walked with Jesus since Ash Wednesday, then we are tired…maybe even exhausted. We could use some timely words from the Lord in a time like this.

Today’s scripture offers just that.

For as the 11th chapter of Matthew closes, Jesus speaks special words to us…words that bring comfort and relief…rest and recuperation. He said:

"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Through Lent, if we have committed ourselves to walk with Jesus, we can’t help but have received revelation…revelation to help us increase our wisdom and understanding…revelation to help us see where we need to improve our lives to come more in alignment with Christ. We now understand the words of John 14:6 where Jesus reminds us that He is the way and the truth and the life…the only way we can get to the Father…God…His Father and ours. We have received the revelation that in order to be Christian we need to first be Christ-like.

Most of us after the revelations of the season will find ourselves tasked with the Lord’s expectations. For some, the expectations might be very high and challenges may leave us restless and anxious.

But receive comfort in the midst of what Jesus has tasked you to do through His promise…that all who are “weary and burdened” will be given rest for their souls. Walking with Jesus if we may seem like difficult labor but when we realize He is walking with us, we realize as Paul did that there is nothing we can’t do when we have His strength within us (Philippians 4:13). Indeed, Jesus will help lighten our load and empower us to carry out His will and way as e strive to go forth in obedience to His call for our lives.

Friends, on Easter, we again reaffirm that Jesus has claimed victory over the grave and returned to His Father, now communicating with us through the Holy Spirit…the Counselor he promised. And no matter how embattled we may feel after again reliving His ministry, death and resurrection…today, we can rejoice and be glad…and find rest…for Jesus Christ is risen!

Alleluia!

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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