All Who Are Weary
- Let Your Soul Find Rest In The Finished Work Of Jesus
Written by Eileen R. Jacobs
[The Servant of God says] The Lord God has given Me the tongue of a disciple and of one who is taught, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He wakens Me morning by morning, He wakens My ear to hear as a disciple [as one who is taught]. - Isaiah 50:4 AMPC
In the times we are living in, it is easy to become weary and weak of heart at all the fear and panic that is causing people to react so strangely. There have been abrupt changes to our way of life that has taken us all by surprise, and this has been disconcerting, and for some it has been devastating. We cannot escape the bad news that consumes every corner and it is difficult to discern whether we are hearing gossip, fabricated information, or news that is actually trustworthy. This has also been unsettling. Neighbors used to smile at one another and give hugs and handshakes, and now even the disciples of Christ are afraid to touch anyone, much less the sick. The general public is so solemn, sensitive and suspicious, and some are even outrageously rude, hurtful and unfeeling. Places that used to be lively and brimming with activity have become uncomfortably silent, and social distancing has created something that is absolutely unnatural and awkward. How do we navigate these times? What is the “word in season to him who is weary?” Oh Lord Jesus, The Servant of God, let us hear what You’ve been given to say to the weary!
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” - Matthew 11:28
These are the precious words of Jesus, and His words are so inviting, so simple and refreshing, and yet they are spoken as an imperative. In the original language that this verse was written in (Greek), these words give the impression of “Come...come now...hurry and come!” There is an urgency in these words of Jesus. There must be a good reason for this urgency. Perhaps in the uncertain times we are living in, we might seriously consider His call.
This may seem like a silly example, but after we have played hard with our dog in the backyard, she likes to lay down in the tall grass and pant with her tongue hanging out, of course. Obviously she’s tired from working so hard, so we tell her to “Come!” It’s an imperative command, spoken with an urgent but loving voice. You see, we know that she needs to go home and get some fresh water and take a rest. We know it is the best thing for her, so we tell her to “Come...hurry and come!”
The Lord also knows what is going to be the best for us and what will refresh us and keep us in a state of peace while the rest of the world is experiencing unrest. He knows what is coming on the earth in these last days as the devil begins to pour out his wrath on mankind, yet God has granted us a place of safety and protection, if only we will come. I believe this is the “word in season” that the Lord has for anyone in the entire world who will respond to His call right now..”Come...Come to Me...hurry and come...and I will give you rest.”
In the above verse, Jesus is speaking to all who are weary and heavy-laden. The “weary” are those who have labored at life on their own with no help from God to the point that they are exhausted and excessively worn out. They can’t find peace or rest. The word “heavy-laden” gives the picture of a person who is carrying something excessively heavy on their back that is actually too much of a burden to be carrying alone, a crushing load. It also refers to the weighing down of an animal to carry a burdensome or toilsome load. Right now, we are all experiencing circumstances that are too heavy to carry on our own. Jesus beckons us to come to Him. He simply asks us, “Come to Me...and I will give you rest.”
Rest is the promise that is made for those who bring their weariness and heavy loads to Jesus. What does this mean? What does this rest look like? How is this going to help me right now while the world has gone mad? As I asked the Lord these questions, He pointed me to the next part of the verse. Jesus doesn’t leave us guessing, He tells us exactly what His rest is like. Let’s take a look…
"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." - Matthew 11:29-30
So let’s review for a minute. Jesus first tells us to “Come..hurry, and come!” Where are we to come to? We are to come to Him. This is very clear! Then Jesus gives us two more imperatives. He says to “Take My yoke upon you” and He says “Learn from Me.” So we have here three imperative, hurry-up kinds of commands, “Come to Him...Take His Yoke ...and Learn from Him.” Our rest is dependent upon these three imperatives.
Dear Friends, if any of you have resisted coming to Jesus in the past for fear of hard religious laws and restraints, I’d like to encourage you to first reconsider the character of Jesus that is given so clearly in this passage of Scripture. Jesus tells us that He is “gentle.” I would like to share the Biblical definition of this Greek word, praus (G4239), as given by the Helps Word Studies.
“This difficult-to-translate root (pra-) means more than "meek." Biblical meekness is not weakness but rather refers to exercising God's strength under His control – i.e. demonstrating power without undue harshness.”
[The English term "meek" often lacks this blend – i.e. of gentleness (reserve) and strength.] - Copyright © 1987, 2011 Helps Ministries, Inc.
This is awesome! Jesus has a personality that can bring His Divine power into our situations, yet without any harshness. If you have heard preaching or teaching that comes across harsh and condemning, that is not Jesus’ character. If the message does not accurately represent Him, then it is likely not coming from Him. Jesus is gentle. Let’s remember that this is His own description of Himself and His Kingdom reign.
Jesus also describes Himself as “humble in heart.” Again the Helps Word Studies gives us a great definition for the Greek word, tapeinos (G5011).
Properly, low; (figuratively) inner lowliness describing the person who depends on the Lord rather than self.
("lowly, humble") means being God-reliant rather than self-reliant – which ironically always exalts a person (brings them true worth). Copyright © 1987,2011 Helps Ministries, Inc.
So we have a picture here of Jesus, Who is Divinely powerful, yet without harshness, and Who depends completely on God, The Father, in everything He does and says. We can be confident that to know the heart and character of Jesus is to know the heart and character of God. If that does not bring us comfort, then this next Scripture ought to confirm this whole thought.
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
"If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him."
Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us."
Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
"Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.
"Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves." - John 14:6-11
My Friends, Jesus is the Son of God and the exact representation of His character and nature (Hebrews1:1-3). Clearly, we cannot see Him on the earth right now, but we can observe Him, His character, and His responses, when we read the accounts of Him in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Jesus assures us that if we have seen Him, we have seen God, The Father. In this passage of John 14:6-8, Jesus explains to His disciples an amazing truth about Himself and His unity with The Father while He was on the earth. Jesus and The Father were so unified in thought and purpose that Jesus did nothing, nor did He say anything unless He heard the Father speak to Him. This is the kind of unified, God-empowered work that mankind was intended to have in the first place. Adam messed that up in the Garden of Eden when he listened to the devil instead of God, but Jesus demonstrated this unity with the Father perfectly. In fact, this is what He promised to all who would come to Him and believe on Him. Take a look…
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.
"Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
"If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it." - John 14:12-14
This incredible, restful, God-empowered unity with the Father and the Son, is what Jesus was offering to the weary and heavy-laden who would come to Him, take His yoke upon them, and learn from Him. He is granting believers full access to His miracle working power through prayer in His Name. We can be sure that if we heed the call to “Come to Him,” we really will find rest for our souls, and the ability to function in the same power that Jesus did, in unity with Him, doing even “greater works.” Let’s examine our key passage again…
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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." - Matthew 11:28-30
So let’s assume that you decide to “Come to Him,” or you have already come, what does it mean to “Take His yoke upon you and learn from Him?” Most people understand that a yoke is something that you place on two animals to tie them together for a task. This is exactly the illustration Jesus is using to help us understand what it means for us when we come to Him. So I’d like to explore this further from a Biblical perspective. To really understand what Jesus is saying to us, we need to see other references to the yoke in Scripture. This is what we call Bible interpreting Bible.
In the Old Testament, the word “yoke” occurs 53 times in the King James Version. Most of the time, the yoke is used to symbolize bondage and it is a negative thing. Whenever it is used in a positive way, it is in reference to God freeing His people from a “yoke of bondage.” Look at this Old Testament prophesy concerning Jesus, The Messiah, and what God would do through Him…
“But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish; in earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.
You shall multiply the nation, You shall increase their gladness; They will be glad in Your presence as with the gladness of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.
For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult, and cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.” - Isaiah 9:1-7
So Jesus, the Messiah, would “break the yoke of their burden” and the “rod of their oppressor.” When Jesus was born and became the fulfillment of the prophesies concerning the Messiah, the Jewish people misunderstood what yoke He would break. Jesus came to break the yoke of sin and death, and the rod of our oppressor, Satan.
Now we come to the New Testament. It has only 6 occurrences of this word “yoke.” Three of them are in reference to Jesus’ command to “Come to Him…” as we have been examining. One reference is directed at those who were actual slaves during that time period and were yoked to their masters. The other 2 occurrences are in reference to The Old Testament Law of Moses, where believers are instructed not to come under that “yoke of slavery” anymore for Christ has set us free from it. Here’s an example…
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.
And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.
You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.” - Galatians 5:1-6
So, in Scripture a “yoke” is used as a symbol of something mankind is fastened to and cannot get away from. It represented the yoke of an enemy, the yoke of a tyrannical ruler, leader or master, the yoke of The Law, the yoke of sin and the yoke of Satan. So we see now that when Jesus says, “Take My yoke upon you…” He is showing us a great contrast. This is so amazing, so I hope you are getting this. Let’s look at this passage again…
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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." - Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus is using this traditionally understood farming example to help us see that His yoke is so much better than the yoke of slavery to sin, sickness and death, poverty, and every evil thing, including our enemy Satan. We have been under a wearisome and heavy-burden for far too long, and Jesus knows that if we will come to Him, we will find rest; for His burden is easy and His load is light. Jesus is gentle and uses His Divine power to help us, never to harm us. He is humble-hearted and is lead by the loving heart of God, the Father.
In this ancient farming example, the yoke is used to combine a stronger ox with a weaker, inexperienced ox. The stronger ox knows what is required by the master and has the strength and knowledge to lead the weaker, less experienced ox. If paired with the right ox, the weaker, less experienced ox will be able to learn by following the leader ox and in so doing, the task or burden will be easier for both creatures, but especially for the weaker, less experienced one. Essentially, the stronger ox carries the burden for the weaker ox, thus allowing the weaker ox to work with ease and without burden. This is so beautiful, isn’t it!
However, if paired with a harsh ox and a driving master, it would be devastating for the weaker and inexperienced ox. Jesus is assuming that the yoke we’ve been under is making us weary and over-burdened. Yet, His yoke is completely different. It is easy and the burden becomes light when we are yoked to Him. So our labors in life become more like rest, than stress.
Jesus is painting a picture of perfect unity, when two become like one. This is what it means to be yoked to Jesus. He carries our load. He takes the weariness and the heavy burden off of us, so our days on earth are lived out in the power of His strength. When we come to Him and take His yoke upon ourselves, everything in life becomes lighter and easier, even living in uncertain times of turmoil, fear of death, and lack of toilet paper.
Now we come to the precious promise of Jesus. Let’s look once again at our key verse…
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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." - Matthew 11:28-30
So we learn that if you come to Jesus, and take His yoke upon you and learn from Him, there is this promise that “YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.” You will notice that in most Bibles, this line of text is in all capital letters. The reason is because Jesus is actually quoting another prophesy given by Jeremiah about the Messiah that is found in the Old Testament. He is using this prophesy to announce that He is the fulfillment of it. Here it is…
“Thus says the LORD, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'
"And I set watchmen over you, saying, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But they said, 'We will not listen.'” - Jeremiah 6:16-17
Jesus is declaring that He is the “good way” and “you will find rest for your souls.” He said in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life…” Do we want to be walking out this life in the “good way,” having the truth, and experiencing life as opposed to weakness, sickness and death? Then Jesus is the way, and in Him, we will find rest for our souls. What is unfortunate about this prophesy was that the nation of Israel would respond by saying that “We will not walk in it,” and “We will not listen.” We see this prophesy being fulfilled during Jesus’ earth life. Just prior to Jesus speaking the words,”Come to Me…,” He had just rebuked the cities He had visited where most of His miracles had taken place, because they would not repent (which means to change the mind) and come to Him as the Messiah. What about us in our generation? Will we come to Him, or will we also decide not to listen?
We’ve established that Jesus has the right and authority to give rest to the weary and heavy-laden who come to Him and take His yoke upon them. But, what is this rest and what does it mean? How does this help me?
When God had finished creating the heavens and the earth with all that is in them, including His crown creation of mankind, the Bible tells us He rested. In the book of Hebrews, we learn that God rested because His works were finished. (Hebrews 4:3) Therefore, we can conclude that “rest” is God’s idea of entering into a finished work. Adam and Eve entered into a finished garden that God had made for them. Their only work was to tend and enjoy what God had already supplied for them. They ended up forfeiting what God had supplied because of the sin of unbelief.
When God rescued His people Israel out of the slavery and “yoke of bondage” that they were under in Egypt, He was leading them to a “Promised Land” flowing with milk and honey, where everything they needed was already provided; cities and houses they didn’t have to build, wells of water they didn’t have to dig, and orchards that they didn’t have to plant. He even promised to drive out all of the inhabitants, giants and squatters in the land, in which He had already prepared for them. This was God’s rest and they were simply to enter it. Yet, most of them died in the wilderness, unable to enter the rest of God, His “promised land,” because of their unbelief. They let unbelief stand in the way of all that God had promised and provided.
The third and fourth chapter of the book of Hebrews explains in more detail why Israel was unable to enter the rest of God, however, there is another “rest” for which this example of Israel is a type or a shadow. It is the “rest” that Jesus promised in Matthew 11 that we have been studying. And those who believe will enter that rest (Hebrews 4:3a). Remember that from God’s perspective, “rest” is entering into a finished work. When Jesus hung on that cross, dying for all of our sin, He finally cried out “It is finished!” His work was done. What work did Jesus finish?
He came.
He had no sin.
He did no sin.
He became the spotless lamb to die for sin.
His blood was shed for the forgiveness of sin.
He received in Himself all of the wrath of God against sin.
He died in our place as our substitute.
He took away sin’s power.
He took away all of the effects of sin: sickness, disease, guilt and condemnation.
He defeated Satan and brought him to nothing.
He was raised from the dead for our justification.
He ascended to Heaven where He acts as our Advocate and High Priest forever.
Listen Friends, Jesus finished the work of freeing us completely from sin and Satan’s power, poverty, sickness, diseases and death. In this time of so much fear and worry over contracting an unseen disease or of losing everything, perhaps you might consider the words of Jesus. Are you weary and heavy-laden by the frightening events happening in the world around you? Are you afraid of even being near your own family and friends? Then hear Jesus say to you, “Come...come to Me...hurry and come...and I will give you rest!” Take His yoke upon you and enter into His finished work simply be believing in what He has done. This is what makes His burden easy and light. There is nothing for us to bear and nothing for us to do, because Jesus has done it all. He has secured for us everything we need for life and godliness through the true knowledge of Him (2 Peter 1:2-4). Righteousness has been granted as a gift to those who believe (Romans 4:5/Romans 5:17), and all of God’s promises to the upright or righteous belong to those who believe through faith. Here is one such promise:
“No harm befalls the righteous, But the wicked are filled with trouble.” - Proverbs 12:21
Dear Friends, if you have never made the choice to “Come” to Jesus and “Take His Yoke” upon you, I’d like to show you how you can do this right now. It is as simple as lifting up your voice to the Lord and saying…
“Father God, I receive Jesus as my Savior and Lord. I understand that He died for my sin at the cross as my substitute. I thank You that You raised Him from the dead, so I would be justified (declared no longer guilty) in Your sight. I receive Jesus’ righteousness as my gift. I believe I can now live in Your eternal life and rest that my sins, sickness and diseases have been permanently taken away by Jesus Who has set me totally free. I desire to live the rest of my life for You, while enjoying all of Your precious promises to me. Thank You Father and Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen!”
Dear Friend, you are now gloriously saved and have become a child of God, entitled to all of His precious gifts and promises. I pray that the spirit of fear will leave you right now in Jesus’ Name. You now have complete peace with God and can begin to trust Him to help you and bless you during these troubling times for the rest of the world. Please turn in your bible to Psalm 91 and begin right now to believe God for these precious promises that are made to those who “Dwell in the shelter of the Most High…” That is “You” now, so be encouraged that…
“No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;” - Psalm 91:10
To my dear Brother or Sister in Christ, if you have been reading this article, I pray that our loving Lord has encouraged you to remember that you are “yoked” to Jesus. You have entered into God’s rest and you ought to be enjoying all of the promises (The Promised Land) for the believer. If the devil has gripped you with fear over this world pandemic, I pray for you right now in the Name of Jesus’ that the spirit of fear will loose you immediately! My Friends, you know that fear is not of the Lord. Jesus had no fear, ever! And as His body on earth, fear ought to have no place in us. We have power in His name to cast down any evil thing.
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.” - 2 Timothy 1:7 AMPC
I am always so encouraged by the Word of God and the gentle and humble-hearted words of Jesus. We have a good and faithful God Who delivers us from all evil. Hallelujah! I wanted to leave you with one last encouraging word… “a word in season to him who is weary.”
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding.
He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound].
Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted;
But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.” - Isaiah 40:28-31
It comforts me so much to know that God does not get weary. As a member of Christ’s own body, I can expect that it is His strength and power that God infuses me with, so that I can be just like Jesus in my earth walk. I am loved by God, The Father. I am unified with the Father through Jesus Christ, The Son. And, I am confident that if Jesus is not weary, then I am not weary either, for “as He is, so am I in this world.” (1 John 4:17)
Now that, dear Friends, is grace!
written by
Eileen R. Jacobs (April 2020)
Copyright © 2020 Eileen Jacobs Ministries. All rights reserved.
Note:
One last note...if today you received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, we encourage you to write the date down somewhere important to you. Many people like to write the date of their salvation on the inside cover of their Bible. I can’t stress enough how important this is to do. Not only does it help you remember the day you became a Child of God, but it is a marker of your New Birth like a birth certificate, which is a legal proof of your existence. This marker is important because, whether you know it or not, there actually is a devil. Since he is a spirit, he has an ability to speak to our minds by way of deceptive thoughts. I can almost guarantee that there will come a time when a suggestive thought will come to your mind that will cause you to question whether you are really saved or not. This is where that date recorded or marker or New Birth certificate becomes important. You can simply go back to your Bible or wherever you wrote it down, and remind yourself or say to the devil...”Nope, you’re wrong! This date is the day I received Jesus, the day of my New Birth, the day I became a Child of God, the day I was saved, the day my name was written in the Lamb’s book of life...end of discussion!”
Finally, we would love to know that you have joined the family of God. We are so excited for you and we want to keep you in our prayers. Email us to let us know!
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