Good morning, church! Today, we’re diving into one of the most comforting invitations in all of Scripture. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Does that word rest sound good to you today? I don’t know about you, but I think most of us could use a little rest. Not just a nap or a weekend off, but soul-level rest - the kind of peace that sinks deep into your heart and reminds you that you’re not alone.
Imagine you’re hiking with a heavy backpack on. You’re a few miles in and each step is exhausting, and you feel like you can’t go any farther. Now, imagine someone coming alongside of you, taking the pack off your shoulders, and saying, “Walk with me; I’ll carry it with you.” … That’s what Jesus is offering.
I remember a time in my life that I felt like I couldn’t go on anymore… I was just tired of everything and felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders… One day I stopped and hit my knees and said Lord I can’t do it anymore I can’t bear this burden by myself … Where are you? And this verse hit me, and I realized that God hadn’t left me all alone…Jesus was there all along saying come… Come to me with your weariness… come to me with that heavy load… you don’t have to do it by yourself… Let me help you… and that moment changed everything…
We all get weary. Life is full of responsibilities, stress, expectations, and struggles. Jesus knew that, and He offers something we can’t manufacture on our own: true rest.
Today, we’re going to unpack four truths about the rest Jesus offers.
The Weariness of Life: “All who are weary and burdened…”
First, Jesus acknowledges our weariness. He doesn’t tell us to “Suck it up” or “push through.” He says, “I see you. I know what you’re carrying.”
The scripture here isn’t talking about just being tired from a long day, it’s talking about deep exhaustion … being drained in spirit and soul. And the word burdened paints a picture of someone carrying a load so heavy they can barely walk.
Think about it: the people Jesus was speaking to were under Roman oppression, heavy taxes, and the crushing demands of religious rules. And the truth is, the world isn’t so different today.
• Maybe it’s financial stress.
• Maybe it’s health struggles.
• Maybe it’s emotional pain or broken relationships.
It’s like a parent juggling work, kids, bills, and family responsibilities feeling like there a tightrope walker carrying heavy buckets on each side. One wrong step, and everything could fall. That’s the weariness Jesus sees.
The Invitation of Jesus: “Come to me…”
Jesus doesn’t just acknowledge our weariness… He offers a solution. He says, “Come to me.”
This isn’t a distant, vague idea, it’s a personal invitation. Jesus is calling you by name to step into His presence. He’s saying, “You don’t have to figure it out on your own... Don’t try to fix your life alone… He’s saying Come to Me.”
Notice that Jesus doesn’t say, “Clean yourself up first” or “Carry less and then come.” Jesus doesn’t wait for perfection. He simply says, “Come.”
The reason this is so amazing is because it shows us the heart of God: It shows us that He is approachable… It shows us that He is gentle. It shows that He is ready to help.
It’s like a child running to a parent after a nightmare. The child is trembling and scared, but the parent opens up their arms and welcomes them, no questions asked. That’s how Jesus invites us.
That time when I didn’t know where to turn and felt like everything was resting on my shoulders. I prayed Lord I’m tired of running, I’m tired of trying to do this my way… I need you to help me…Here I am Lord I’m ready… whatever it is, I’m ready… And the relief and peace that came over me was like a ton of bricks was lifted off my shoulders… Can anybody here relate?
The Exchange of Yokes: “Take my yoke upon you…”
Jesus continues: “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.”
The imagery of a yoke would have been familiar to His audience. Farmers used yokes to connect oxen to a plow. But here’s the thing: Jesus’ yoke … isn’t crushing. It’s not heavy labor. His yoke is light, gentle, and paired with Him in the work.
When we try to carry life’s burdens alone—through worry, guilt, or legalism … it’s crushing. But when we take the yoke Jesus offers, we’re not going to be alone in the work. He’s going to be right alongside us, teaching, guiding, and carrying with us.
• “Learning from Him” means walking with Jesus daily … through Scripture, prayer, worship, and obedience.
• “Gentle and humble” reminds us that He doesn’t force, pressure, or shame.
Imagine two oxen yoked together in a field. Alone, one struggles; but together, they pull the plow smoothly. That’s us yoked with Jesus—He helps us bear the weight.
The Promise of Rest: “You will find rest for your souls”
Finally, Jesus promises rest—but notice, it’s not just physical rest. It’s soul rest, it’s the deep refreshment and peace that fills the inner person.
This is the kind of rest that gives us strength to face tomorrow, courage to walk through trials, and hope that sustains us even when life is hard.
• Psalm 23:1–3 says the Lord makes us lie down in green pastures and leads us beside still waters.
• Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.
It’s like a weary hiker finally reaching the mountaintop. The climb might have been exhausting, but the view is breathtaking, and the rest feels like it fills your soul. That’s what Jesus offers us spiritually.
Church, this rest is available right now … not after you get it all together, not after you’ve earned it. Right now, in Christ, you can lay down your burdens, exchange your heavy yoke, and find peace for your soul.
After Becky and I had taken care of both of our mothers while they were battling cancer we were exhausted… Both mentally, physically and spiritually… We took a trip up to the smoky mountains and stayed in a cabin, no plans no itinerary just a time of rest… That trip helped us more than we could have imagined … it replenished our soul… and helped us get back to where we needed to be physically , mentally and spiritually… I think that’s the kind of rest Christ calls us into, no itinerary, no catch just an offer to rest in His presence, no questions asked…
Application: How Do We Enter This Rest?
1. Come to Him daily — through prayer, worship, and Scripture.
2. Give Him your burdens — name them, surrender them, and trust Him to carry them.
3. Walk in His yoke — follow His guidance and live in obedience, but know it’s a partnership, not slavery.
4. Rest in His promises — trust that He is gentle, humble, and faithful.
Remember this rest isn’t passive. It’s a choice to rely on Jesus instead of yourself. And it’s available for everyone… regardless of age, background, or mistakes.
Conclusion
Jesus’ invitation still stands today:
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Whatever you are carrying this week—stress, fear, guilt, or exhaustion—Jesus is saying, “Bring it to me. Don’t carry it alone. Let me give you rest.”
As we leave today, I want you to picture yourself laying your burdens at His feet, taking His yoke, and feeling the gentle, soul-refreshing peace that only He can provide.
