Covenant Contrasts Part 20 of 20
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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 11:28-30).
Jesus is extending to you a beautiful invitation to a life of rest; a life that is a stark contrast to the old covenant system. The instruction of the old covenant was the complete opposite of rest. Old covenant life was striving, working, seeking, and trying to get it right. It was Law. It was 613 commandments. And it was impossible. And it is not for us, new covenant believers.
But despite this “not for us,” it is so easy to bring that old covenant mentality right into living the Christian life. The mixed covenant message that we often hear contains so much striving, working, and seeking straight from the old covenant system.
But the “try harder” life that underlies so much Christian teaching is not for us. Jesus’ invitation is to rest. Jesus’ invitation is an end to striving. His yoke is “easy and light.” And do you know why? Because Jesus is in the yoke with us. It is “His yoke.” Jesus called it “My yoke.” Jesus is doing the heavy lifting, and His love, His Spirit, and His power are carrying us along.
Christ’s invitation to rest is a gift. And receiving this gift is believing that nothing else is required. Jesus finished the work. It is time to enter His rest. It is time to enjoy His rest. It is time to walk confidently in His rest.
Rest is not inactivity. It is serving, loving, and obeying from a place of rest, from a place of freedom, from a place of confidence. May you find this “rest for your soul” today!