The Lord of Rest | Matthew 11:25-30
How many of you are tired or worn-out? Longing for a vacation. A break. A get away. An escape. A good night’s sleep. We are living in a restless world of sleep disorders, chronic insomnia, adrenal fatigue, and high anxiety. 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems, 91% of Gen Z (15-21) have experienced physical or emotional symptoms due to stress feeling nervous or anxious on a regular basis, 20% of Americans had an anxiety disorder diagnosed in the past year and according to the National Safety Council 43% of workers are sleep-deprived and their fatigue costs employers $136 Billion a year in health related lost productivity. All of these are symptomatic of living in a non-stop world of high expectations, fear of missing out, fast paced living and 24/7 information overload. This is why one of the big themes of the Bible is sabbath and rest. The word Sabbath means to cease or to stop; the word rest can mean to settle in. Rest is the quest of all humanity; it is what God created humanity for, to rest in Him.
Matthew 11 is a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. The Jewish religious elite have rejected Jesus and are now plotting his murder. Jesus has condemned cities where he spent the bulk of his ministry (2/3) for their unbelief. He declares that: All things have been handed over to me by my Father. He alone has the sole power and authority over all things. He makes a bold declaration of His sovereign grace and then extends a gracious invitation for anyone to come to Him to find rest for their weary souls. He makes this promise of rest because He is the Lord of Rest, the Lord of the Sabbath. He alone is able to give you a Shabbat Shalom. (Restful Peace) The rest that every weary soul is longing for. For those who would be followers of Jesus, Jesus offers a gracious invitation that exchanges our restlessness for His rest.