At the beginning of each New Year, I sit with Jesus and ask Him what His word is for me for the year. As I lingered with Jesus over the word, I heard Him say rest. What throws me off about Him saying rest is that I feel like I need to do more and rest too much. I am thrown off by His indication that I need to rest this year when last year I procrastinated and still have loads of stuff to accomplish. Let me add here that my accomplishments for 2024 are following the same procrastination schedule of 2023! I rest much more than I should. Jesus speaking to me the word rest wasn’t what I expected.
Going to God’s word clarified what rest God spoke of. Let’s look at Matthew 11:25-28 to grasp the wonder of the rest God speaks of.
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows 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. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Earlier in the chapter, Jesus had been questioned by John the Baptist’s disciples, who were sent by John while he was in prison, asking if He is “the coming One, or do we look for another?” (Matt 11:3). Jesus has been questioned about His identity they ask are Him Are You the Christ? As Jesus expands on who He is, He points to the truths of Himself from scripture. He also gives woe to the unbelieving cities that did not repent. At the close of chapter 11, after being questioned, Jesus prays and boldly declares His unity with the Father and His offering of rest.
How delightful that Jesus offers rest in the face of adversity as He was questioned about His identity. The unity of Father and Son is preached as Jesus prays, then He ends the prayer, and the declaration of the rest offered through Christ is expressed. Unity and rest- what a wonder these are brought together. It is only in the unity of God that any rest is found. Jesus explains that He reveals the Father and then calls all who labor and are heavily laden. Our rest is in the relational interaction with God. How lovely is the presence of God that my soul finds rest!
Two Greek words are used when looking at the phrase rest that Jesus speaks of here. The first time rest is used, the Greek word is anapauo, which means to refresh and give rest. The second time rest is used, the Greek word is anapausis, which has a deeper meaning of rest, the cessation of any motion and recreation. Jesus is so kind as to extend refreshment to us who are heavy-laden. It’s like a fresh drink of water after a hard workout. Refreshment that ministers to our needs. He goes on to extend a soul rest that gives our soul recreation. Something new is formed in our soul when we take the yoke of Christ and learn from Him. Our soul ceases the striving, and recreation is established, and life is given. Jesus provides life-giving rest and recreation for our weary souls.
Jesus spoke of the rest for me: not laying on the couch and binging Netflix. The lack of accomplished tasks doesn’t mark this rest. No, this is a rest that changes the soul. Jesus’ rest restores life in the depths of places that have remained dead. A soul engagement that brings striving to a halt. A restoration of things lost and a freedom from surviving on false identities. This rest provides beauty from ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair (Isiah 61:3). Rest that is interactional as I fellowship with God and remain in unity with my Lover. A transformational rest that is evident to all who I encounter. Come join me and receive the rest Jesus has for you. Let Jesus recreate your heavy leaden weary soul into the restful restored place where there is followship with Him.
Valerie Jackson
LPC