As human beings, we face all sorts of challenges and burdens. During our lives, we constantly have feelings of fear, doubt, regret, and pain. But there is a promise given to believers in the Bible. Follow the path of the Lord, and Jesus will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28-30 speaks of the deep rest that Jesus Christ offers the weary. Their burdens can be cast onto Him, and they will experience spiritual Peace and calm.
What does it mean that Jesus will give you rest? Is it in the Bible? Who are the weary, and why are they told to go to Him? How does Jesus give rest to the weary? We shall look at detailed answers to these questions and examine relevant Biblical references.
What Does It Mean That Jesus Will Give You Rest?
When Jesus says He will give rest, He is referencing spiritual rest, not physical rest as we understand it. It is Peace of mind and spirit. Just as resting the body is essential, so is resting the mind. It involves full atonement of our sins through His sacrifice on the Cross and the ability to share in the righteousness of Christ. This does not mean that God will immediately extract you from all stressful situations. Rather, He will give the comfort, guidance, and assurance needed to get through it.
Where in The Bible Does It Say That Jesus Will Give You Rest?
The Bible says that Jesus will give rest in Matthew 11:28-30. In these verses, He calls all the weary and burdened to Him. He offers Peace to their minds and emotions. Jesus will give them rest and emotional stability in all areas of their lives. We, as human beings, are plagued with the burden of Original Sin, and Jesus Christ eases its load. All that Christians have to do in return is put their trust in Him. That is the only requirement needed to receive spiritual rest.
Bible Verses About Jesus Giving Rest
The Bible gives assurance to believers that the path of faith shall provide comfort in verses such as:
- Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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.” This is the most profound proclamation that Jesus made about how He can offer rest to the burdened. He explains that following Him will ease their troubles.
- John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my Peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.” Even after He is gone from the world, Jesus Christ still leaves His disciples and followers with Peace. He promises that He will never leave their hearts.
- John 16:33: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have Peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Here, Jesus speaks of how He will handle the troubles of the world in favor of the faithful.
- Jeremiah 31:25: “For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” This verse talks of the satisfaction that languishing souls can enjoy if they place their burdens at the feet of God.
- 1 Peter 5:7: “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Anxiety and depression, which are common mental disorders, can be eased in the walk of faith, according to this verse.
- Psalm 4:8: “In peace, I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” This Bible verse refers to the “safety net” that God and Jesus Christ provide. It speaks of an inexplicable assurance that comes with accepting Christ.
What Does ‘Come to Me All Who Are Weary’ Mean?
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus Christ instructs the weary to go to Him. But what does this mean? By these words, He means that there is no barrier between Him and sinners. They are called to have a personal relationship with the Lord. Jesus is communicating the depth of His love for us all. He yearns for us to be with Him and is willing to take us all. For us to be with Him, we need to accept the Lord into our hearts and obey the Commandments He has given us.
Who Are the Weary According to Jesus?
The weary, in this passage, are all human beings and all sinners. The restlessness of mankind can be traced back to the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve first sinned. Before Original Sin, Adam and Eve were completely happy and peaceful. But when they were tricked by Satan to rebel against God, they began to feel shameful and scared. Adam and Eve were immediately full of unsettling emotions such as guilt, fear, and embarrassment (Genesis 3:1-24). This shows how Sin makes the human heart weary, while before sinning, we are at Peace and restful. After the Sin they committed against the Lord, Adam and Eve were cursed and promised to toil for the rest of their lives (Genesis 3:17). We all experience the effects of Original Sin, which include fear, depression, stress, addiction, hopelessness, and restlessness. We are all, therefore, weary.
Is There Rest for The Weary?
Yes. There is rest for the weary. Christ invites us to accept the Lord as it will give the emotionally and spiritually tired rest. The burden of Sin will be lifted as Jesus already did the work by dying on the Cross. All we need to do is put our trust in Him and go under His protection, guidance, and authority. Rest is promised to the weary several times in the Bible. For example, Exodus 33:14 reads, “The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Ezekiel 34:15 also says, “I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord.”
How Does Jesus Give Rest to The Weary?
The rest that Jesus Christ gives us is one of the spirit and soul. He offers tranquility and Peace. How Jesus does this by giving pardoning grace for our sins and the gift of eternal life. As we go through life, we struggle with anxiety, depression, doubt, sadness, and other negative emotions. We also go through hard circumstances such as temptation, addiction, and loneliness. God allows His believers to cast their problems onto him, therefore alleviating their burdens and giving them rest. Christ redeems us and restores us when we are emotionally and spiritually fatigued.
Jesus Christ also gives rest to His followers by offering salvation. The Bible speaks of this in Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” The weary receive rest and salvation not by following rules and regulations but by placing their faith in God. Jesus Christ already did the hard work of dying on the Cross, so we do not need to further atone for our sins.
References
- Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest – Matthew 11:28-29
- Jesus Will Give You Rest
- “I Will Give You Rest” – Matthew 11:28
- Matthew 11:28 Meaning of Come to Me All Who Are Weary
- How Christians Can Experience Deeper Rest
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
