WRITE-UP BY ISAAC OSAE ADDO
THEME: INVITATION FOR TRUE REST
TEXT: MATTHEW 11: 28-30
*INTRODUCTION*
All things have been delivered to Me by My father, and no one no knows my the son except the father, Nor does anyone know the father except the son, and the one to whom the son wills to reveal Him. ‘’ Come to Me all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give rest’’. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me., for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Beloved in Christ , permit me to ask these few questions ;
Do you feel so burdened with family issues and worries? Have you ever had a time in your life where you feel so overwhelmed with a particular action? Do you feel discouraged because your effort in life is not yielding any good results? Is there any sickness eating you up? Do you feel so burdened and cumbersome with the load of sin?
If your answers to the above questions are YES, then join me as we reflect on the theme ‘’INVITATION FOR TRUE REST’’
BODY / CONTENT
In giving a pre-background of the passage , when John the Baptist heard of the good works of Christ, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he is the messiah or the one to come, or should they expect someone else, so Jesus took the opportunity to express and explain His the authority of his Messiaship and clear the confusion in the heart of John and the people around. Jesus spoke as one with authority.
In the verse 28 of the text above we see Jesus throwing a special invitation to all ( believers and unbelievers) who labour and are heavily burdened with a particular load for rest. This is a simple invitation that requires little but offers so much. This call from Jesus is a proof of the supremacy of Jesus with the ability to solve every challenge and problem faced by humans. Jesus authoritatively in verse Matthew 11: 27 openly proclaimed that ‘’All things have been delivered to me by father’’ , hence the power to also deliver such unto others. It is prudent to note one cannot give what He doesn’t have. It is only those who can offer that has the power to invite. To heed to an invitation you must know who is calling You, the sufficiency of the person. As humans before we respond or believe in the promises of our fellow human we look at the credibility and track record of
the person. We are allowed to come to God personally , There should not be any form of hindrance between us and God. This is a call for a close intimacy relationship with God.
Beloved in the Lord who is Jesus calling? Jesus is calling ;
Ø Both believers and unbelievers
Ø Young and Old , Male and female.
Ø He is calling those with spiritual burdens.
Ø Those who are cumbersome with the load of sin.
Ø Those who are depressed and frustrated in life
Ø Those who have been burdened by sickness.
Jesus is calling on us to come to him with all our burdens and difficulties because he is ready to give us that rest we are looking for. Beloved in the Lord there is no rest in any human than perfect and true rest in God.
In the verse the verses 29 and 30 Jesus continues to call on us to take His yoke and give ours to Him.
A yoke is a wooden frame joining two animals ( usually oxen) for pulling heavy loads. It was used for tying the rope of a ploughing oxen or for tying whatever load the oxen was carrying along. It was extremely important that the yoke befitted the shoulders of the oxen. When the yoke is so tight you could realized that the skin of the oxen goes off. The oxen sometimes rebels but as time goes on it realizes that it ease the burden of carrying the load. The yoke can be likened to humans life and task on earth. The word easy can also means well fitting. Christ is saying that His life and task is well fitting and that is all we need on earth. He is asking us to bring our heavy yoke, that is breaking our neck and making us weak unto Him for his lighter yoke.
What rest is Christ assuring us?
Ø Christ is assuring us of the rest from fear.
Ø Rest from addiction.
Ø Rest from sin – Isaiah 1:18
Ø Rest from Fruitlessness
Ø Rest of Refreshing
Ø Rest from Thirst – John 7:37
CONCLUSION
St. Augustine of Hippo, Once said , ‘’ Thou hast made us for yourself, O lord, and our heart is restless until it finds rest in thee.
Beloved in Christ it is a appropriate for us to respond to the special call and invitation by Christ. We can’t do all by ourselves. The struggles of our lives needs soultions and the solutuion is in no one else than Christ Jesus.
God bless You.
ISAAC OSAE ADDO 