Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 on biblegateway.com
Verse 16"But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, Verse 17'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.' Verse 18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon'; Verse 19the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds."
Verse 25At that time Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; Verse 26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. Verse 27All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Verse 28"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Verse 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Verse 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Devotion
Rest. What a fleeting aspiration. It seems like we are consistently bombarded with anxious schedules and stressful responsibilities. Even when we finally do get some rest, it seems that we are often still looking ahead to what is going to come next.
Rest has become a leading theme in my vision of the kingdom of God. Whether I am thinking about an afterlife or about salvation in the here and now, I envision it as the most restful rest we could ever find. In God’s arms there is no need to worry; there is no reason to be sad or angry; there is only peace and comfort. One of the ideal functions of the church is to offer times of rest. We can find and offer rest in worship, fellowship, service and true community. With this support and love, we can let go—even if only for a moment—of our everyday burdens and just breathe, just be.
Prayer
God of comfort and peace, show us your rest. Ease our minds, settle our spirits, and enlighten our faith so that we may more intensely know your salvation. Amen.