Rest for the Weary
J.A. Macdonald Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. We have here - I. A BURDEN. 1. Some are laden with sin. (1) Guilt. Their bad life is set in array against them. The Spirit of God comes to them in the Law, in the Gospel, by the ministry, over an open grave. (2) Depravity. Vestiges of vanity, of pride, self-will, selfishness. 2. Others groan under the distresses of life. (1) Poverty. (2) Sickness. (3) Temptation. Satan takes advantage of our depression. (4) Persecution. Permitted to wean us from the world. To prepare us for a better. II. A RELIEF. 1. Christ offers pardon to the guilty. (1) He gives rest to the conscience; removes the sense of guilt. (2) He gives peace to the heart. 2. Christ offers purity to the unholy. (1) This his merits have purchased. (2) His Spirit is efficient. (3) His promises are assuring (see Ezekiel 36:25-27; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). 3. Christ offers grace for the needy. (1) He will remove the thorn in the flesh, (2) or he will enable us to rise above the affliction. III. THE MEANS. 1. We must go to Christ. (1) We may go to church without going to Christ. (2) We may go to the Lord's table without going to Christ. (3) We must have a personal interview and acquaintance with him. To this end we must seek him. In his house; at his table; at the footstool of his throne. 2. We must approach him humbly. (1) In the contrast of his glorious purity we sink abashed. "I loathe myself when God I see, And into nothing fall." (2) We should pray for the grace of his Spirit. 3. We must approach him obediently. (1) By ceasing to do evil. Every idol must be thrown down. (2) By learning to do well. Acts of justice. Acts of mercy. Habits of truth and goodness. 4. We must approach him believingly. (1) Realize Christ here - now. (2) Realize that he is here, and now ready to remove your burden. (3) You will soon realize that his service is rest - present, everlasting. How lamentable that all do not come to Jesus! Angels lament this. Good men lament it. There is no excuse for those who will not seek such a blessed Saviour. - J.A.M. Parallel Verses KJV: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. WEB: "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.