From Pastor’s Desk:
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 (NKJV)
***
The body needs rest from time to time, if not regularly. So it is with the mind, especially in a hectic, helter-skelter world in which we live. Beyond that, the spirit needs rest as well. Things which we cannot control often besets us, causing our spirit to be troubled.
There are various usages for the word “troubled” in Scripture. One in particular is when Jesus was “troubled” at the death of Lazarus. The Greek word in John 11:33 is ταράσσω tarassō (tar-as’-so), meaning, to stir or agitate (roil [stir up] water).
Rest is a precious thing. The body will eventually wear out without it. A tired body, without rest will come to a point of fatigue. Fatigue brings with it many different aspects, including what is called “burnout.” Trust me, you do not want to get to the point of burnout. Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt. It is not a pretty picture. Burnout will bring you to a point of not caring, and, what is worse, to a point of not caring that you don’t care.
Jesus’ invitation is to anyone that will come. We Christians use this verse as one of “Salvation Scriptures” but it addresses issues within Christendom as well. A weary body, a less-than-serene mind, and a troubled spirit is, in my opinion, is what is addressed in Matthew 11:28. Needless to say, there are going to be times when we are confronted with all the above, often all at once. Yes, even, if not especially, Christians. Sure, it is to the sinner who is laboring and heavy laden with sin. But it is also to we who are on the “Battlefield” engaged is spiritual warfare every moment of everyday.
It is to this that Jesus says, “Come unto me…and I will give you rest.”