The RESCUE of REST

May 27, 2025 

Matthew 11:28

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”




In our culture, rest is often misunderstood. We think of rest as what happens after we’ve been productive, something earned only once everything is crossed off our to-do list. But Jesus presents a radically different perspective. Notice He doesn’t say, “Come to me after you’ve cleaned up your mess.” He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened.”

These words of Jesus are not just an invitation; they are a rescue. Jesus doesn’t merely offer rest from our work, He offers rest in Himself. This is rest that isn’t defined by naps or vacations (though those are good gifts), but by reconnection with God. It's rest that realigns and reorients the soul toward our creator.

We need to rediscover the sacredness of rest. Not idleness. Not laziness. But what some call "holy stillness". This is a pause that reminds us that we are not defined by what we do, but by whose we are.

In Matthew 11, Jesus speaks to people who are worn down by religious burdens, striving to meet expectations, maintain appearances, and carry loads they were never meant to bear. Sounds familiar doesn't it? Many of us live the same way: anxious, driven, spiritually exhausted. Jesus’ invitation is as relevant now as it was then.

Rest is not a sign of weakness but an act of worship. When we rest in God, we affirm: You are sovereign, and I am not. I do not need to control the world. I trust in Your sufficiency.

"Picture a hammock stretched between two trees, gently swaying in a warm breeze. You climb in, not to be lazy, but to be held. To breathe deeply. To let go. In that stillness, your body unwinds, but more importantly, your soul does too."

This is the kind of rest Jesus gives. Not shallow escape, but deep restoration. Not a break from reality, but a return to what is most real: that you are beloved, and God is in control.

Where do I feel most weary or burdened right now?

How can you make space for sacred rest in your daily or weekly living?

A Challenge

Try setting aside some time this week for intentional rest. Turn off your phone. Sit with your Bible. Take a walk in nature. Ask God to restore your soul and remind you of His presence. Use Psalm 23 as a guide if needed: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.”

Let's Pray

Jesus, I come to You with my weariness, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Teach me what it means to truly rest in You. Help me let go of striving and perfectionism. Quiet my anxious thoughts. Help me discover again the beauty of being still with You. Let rest be a pattern of grace in my life. Amen.