Cheryl Potts August 30th 2015 ~ Rest in Jesus

The ladies’ bible study on Tuesday mornings has been digging into the book of Matthew. We have been very challenged by the hard sayings of Jesus but also warmed by his invitation of great love and understanding of our human frailties.At the end of chapter 11 are these famous verses: 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.I found myself reflecting how Jesus, in the preceding verses, was revealing quite explicitly who he really is to the disciples and to John the Baptist’s followers who came with questions from the imprisoned John.  Jesus is the promised one, the kingdom has come and there are already moves afoot by violent forces to derail God’s plan of redemption. “Go and tell John,” Jesus says, “the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”   This is no namby-pamby person. This is God come in human form and nothing will deflect him from his course to redeem me through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.   Then in the next breath he issues those most beautiful words, “Come to me all who are weary and burdened…”It’s as if he’s speaking out across the universe the most amazing proclamations of power and authority, then, turning his head, he looks into my eyes and says “Come to me…., learn of me…and I will give you rest!”Are you weary? I am. Are you burdened? I am. Can you let yourself be taught a better way? I so want to.One of our ladies shared that for her as a wife, mum and friend to many, she gives of herself to lighten the load of others but finds it hard to just come to Jesus with her own burdens and learn a better way of finding rest. (It is a challenge which may resonate with many of us.)  Nevertheless, she has committed to sit with Jesus, coffee in hand, to tell him her cares and be guided by his voice around her everyday affairs.I loved the simplicity and practicality of her wisdom... and the reminder to take this seriously if I’m to find that deeper rest that comes from ‘yoking’ myself to Jesus.Bless you as you walk this narrow way,Cheryl