The Way To Rest

Matt, 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

During the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, He has thus far produced many miracles, signs and wonders. His message has been directed largely to the nation of Israel as a restored Kingdom. His messages have been Kingdom minded. Earlier in this book he went from city to city, town to town, hamlet to hamlet, to be either excepted or rejected by those who heard him. In Verse 20 of this same chapter he begins to upbraid them. That word UPBRAID means to shame or reproach.

Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

Jesus began to shame the cities for not believing in his message or his person. He felt the need to approach the nation of Israel, then the cities of that area. Just as he deals with the U.S. today and even cities of this nation, but notice in our text he switches from a national and regional cry for repentance and acceptance to a personal plea for discipleship. As a nation we can experience revival. As an area we can experience Revival. Even as a church we can see the moving of God, but what he wants more than anything is for individuals to turn to him. SO LET’S LOOK AT HIS OFFER: Come unto me---Jesus issues an invitation to those he spoke to and also to us today. You can attend church, even be a leader, but until you COME UNTO HIM you have not been saved. The same usage of the word COME is used in: Matthew 22: 1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

This is the same usage of the word COME. Notice he said COME UNTO ME. Not Allah, Buddha, Confucius, or a higher power, but rather Jesus said, COME UNTO ME. We realize salvation is of and by Jesus Christ. Acts 4: 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. If salvation is your goal you don’t find it in organized religion, a good name, good works, or family affiliation. It must come thru Jesus Christ. The Devil thought he had him defeated on Calvary. He threw Jesus to the ground as soldiers straddled him with hammer and nails. As the Devil saw the pain and agony, He thought, I must now let the world see what I have done to the Son of God. So lift up the cross and Oh, he should not have done that. Hear the words of Jesus, John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. When Jesus is lifted in our preaching, singing, worship or witness the invitation is issued COME UNTO ME.

Next Jesus said, all ye. Aren’t you glad this is for “Whosoever will”. Anyone, anywhere, of any color, race or origin can come unto Jesus. The inclusive ALL is an invitation to everyone. No matter who you are not how deep in sin you may have fallen Jesus stills says this is for everybody. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. :17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.