There is a question in my mind about “rest.” We’ve all had something to say about “rest.” Slowing down, taking it easier, and spending more time with God. All the books about Emotionally Healthy Spirituality (EHS) say the same thing. We have to slow down, we have to set a Sabbath rest for ourselves.
However, do we realize what Jesus said about “rest?” In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says literally, “Come to Me, all ones tiring, and being loaded down, and I will cause you rest.” Jesus said He would CAUSE us rest. That is really different from GIVE us rest isn’t it? The Greek word ἀναπαύω anapauō in this verse means, “to cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labour in order to recover and collect his strength.” Jesus says you don’t need to keep striving. Jesus says I permit you not to strive any longer. Jesus says come to me and I will cause you to cease from any movement or labor in order that you can recover and collect your strength. Have you ever had anyone tell you to stop what you were doing? I hear Jesus saying, stop what you’re doing! This labor you are undertaking is not what you were made for. You were created to rely upon Me, depend upon Me, and obtain your strength from me, for He says, “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 11:29-30 (NRSV)
I visualize Jesus yoke as Jeremy Taylor has said, ““Christ’s yoke is like feathers to a bird; not loads, but helps to motion.” Jesus yoke isn’t easy as we know easy to mean, but it means good, virtuous, and wholesome – it is not contrived or demanding. Oh, what grace! Oh, to lean on the everlasting arms that hold us up when we are under stress and pressure. As the song says, “safe and secure from all alarms.”
Shouldn’t we all lean upon His everlasting arms and rest, recess, and renew?
In The Hands of the Refiner 