December 11

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. — Matt 11:28 BSB

When we rest, we find relief for our tired bodies. In the same way, spiritually, when the soul comes to Jesus, He gives it rest from its burdens. He also delivers it from anxiety and the exhausting labor that weighs it down. Jesus promises, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." How does He do this? By sharing with the soul from His infinite fullness—sprinkling the conscience with His atoning blood, pouring His love into the heart, and helping the soul believe in His name and cling to His Person. This is where true rest is found—nowhere else can give it. Other remedies will only leave us still under God's wrath. But anyone who comes to Jesus, leans on His finished work and dying love, will find rest here and eternal rest in heaven.

Don't our minds often feel restless, anxious, and troubled by countless doubts, trials, and afflictions? These things make our spirits weary and restless within us. There can be no true rest while we are caught up in the circle of sin and self. But when we, by faith, come out of our own efforts, strength, wisdom, and worthiness—when we come to, believe in, and cling to the Person, blood, and work of the only-begotten Son of God—we find true rest. This rest is solid and lasting. It’s not a delusion, and it will never leave the soul deceived with false hopes. No, it leads to eternal bliss and glory, to the open vision of eternal love, and to seeing face-to-face the One whom the soul has known, trusted, and loved here on earth.