Jesus Himself as a Son took the labors necessary for salvation by being under the Father's mission and laying down His life that we would be saved. Jesus was born under Law (Galatians 4:4) that He would labor under what was oppressing us with all it's requirements, yet He was subject only to His Father's mission by being a Son. This introduced a whole new way to live, thus a New Covenant where we can live out of our union with Christ and His indwelling Presence rather than rules. We now rest in obeying the prompts of the Holy Spirit and His direction, Jesus reveals the His nature in this passage by saying "I am gentle and humble in heart". This is on contrast to the Law or our form of self-imposed religious ideals living as orphans.
Jesus took the burdens that would cause us to be heavy-laden. He took the full burden of sin, it's working death and finally the wrath of God on sin. The cross was the instrument to bring the full burden of our sin, it's crushing weight was put on Jesus back. This also includes the future of our lives united to sin, it's hopelessness, bondage, and finally death. In bearing this burden Jesus purchases the life that was stolen by sin, so now we have the Promises of God in Christ. By Jesus taking on the burden of sin, our old identity as orphans, sickness, and condemnation we now have access to all these benefits by faith in what He has done.
As sons of God we are invited into this rest, which is based on Jesus finished work and not our own efforts. We must look to Jesus and what the Father has done in His love for us to bring us into this wonderful place of rest. We rest in the revelation of what has be done to purchase our present salvation from the things that we both labor under and the burdens we are weary from. If you want to see the sermon by Charles Spurgeon on Rest that plumbs into the depths of Jesus invitation to rest, go to: http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0969.htm.
Resting in Christ,
Bret
Hello Bret and Ruth. So good to know you thorugh your profile on the blogger and I am glso glad to stop by your blog post and go through a very encouraging and spirit lifing post on rest. I am blessed to know your commitment to the Lord. I am from Mumbai, India the other part of the world but how amazing it is see how God connects His people for strengthening one another and praying for another. I am in the Pstoral ministry for last 35yrs in the great city of Mumbai a city with great contrast where richest of rich andt he poorest of poor live. We reachout to the poroest of poor with the love of Christ to bring healing to the broken hearted. We also encourage young and the adults from the West to come to Mumbai to work with us in the slums of Mumbai during their vacation time. We would love tohave you come to Mumbai with your friends to work with us during your vacation time. Iam sure you will have a life chaging experience. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. God's richest blessings on you and your family. God willing I will coming to States in the month of June and will be so glad to visit you while I am in the States.
ReplyDeleteHello Bret and Ruth. So good to know you thorugh your profile on the blogger and I am glso glad to stop by your blog post and go through a very encouraging and spirit lifing post on rest. I am blessed to know your commitment to the Lord. I am from Mumbai, India the other part of the world but how amazing it is see how God connects His people for strengthening one another and praying for another. I am in the Pstoral ministry for last 35yrs in the great city of Mumbai a city with great contrast where richest of rich andt he poorest of poor live. We reachout to the poroest of poor with the love of Christ to bring healing to the broken hearted. We also encourage young and the adults from the West to come to Mumbai to work with us in the slums of Mumbai during their vacation time. We would love tohave you come to Mumbai with your friends to work with us during your vacation time. Iam sure you will have a life chaging experience. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. God's richest blessings on you and your family. God willing I will coming to States in the month of June and will be so glad to visit you while I am in the States.
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