Come To Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
20 October 2019
Are you stressed out? Heavy laden? Is there rest anywhere?
Jesus promised rest for those who come to him.
The Jews, who were the first hearers of Jesus' promise, were labouring under the legal requirements of a religion of bondage.
Jesus promised rest from religion. The Jews, like everyone else, were also labouring under the cares and anxieties of life. Jesus promised rest from life's anxieties.
How are we delivered from labour and being heavy laden? Jesus says come to him. Rest is found in Jesus Christ who faced the severest of stress when he was crucified on a cross. He has tasted death for everyone. But not everyone believes in him.
Jesus had earlier rebuked some people for being unrepentant of their sin of unbelief.
As he spoke to the heavenly Father he uttered something quite profound saying the heavenly Father conceals and reveals things to whom he will. In one breath he spoke of sovereign election which gave unrepentant people salvation and on the other hand he extended invitation for unrepentant people to come to him for rest. For Jesus there was no contradiction between sovereign election and the free offer of the gospel.
People are to go to Jesus and no one else. He is the only Saviour. He is the only person who can give rest to the troubled soul. He is the Son of God. Note that he spoke of the Father and himself as being one — the very thing that antagonized the Jews who accused him of blasphemy.
Those who go to Jesus will learn from him. They will understand that it is Jesus alone who gives rest. It is his gospel of saving grace that gives people peace of mind.
Jesus said his yoke was light. His yoke is the gospel. It is gentle. The Pharisees and scribes had introduced burdensome religious rites which brought people into bondage. It was a heavy yoke they had to carry. But the yoke of Jesus is light. He has borne the weight of our sin and he has liberated us. He has carried the heaviest load and believers are freed from encumbrances and have rest in their souls.
Consider some instances of people who in trying circumstances found rest in their souls through trusting in the Lord.
Look at Jeremiah who with his people were under the yoke of bondage in Babylon. But Jeremiah found rest and could proclaim that the Lord gives great things to those who call upon him (Jer. 33:3).
Look at Daniel who was cast into the lions' den. But before this he called upon the Lord in prayer and found rest even in the midst of killer-lions (Daniel 6:10ff.)
Look at Elijah who in the stressful days of famine called out to the Lord and the Lord granted relief (1 Kings 16:33; James 5:17).
If you labour and are under stress go to Jesus. He has promised rest for your soul. He has never lied. He will give you peace of mind and the rest you long for.