We will find the rest we are seeking when we are being with, working for, and learning from Jesus (despite the busy and demanding lives we have).   

What things do you work on? In school? At work? At home? Nearly everything in life requires work. I work mostly in my ministry and my schooling and this alone can get tiring. Us Americans are often overworked and spiritually and emotionally worn out. 
Unfortunately it is not often that we can cut work from our schedules. Even when we do our desire to have the newest and best things tends to push us to fill our extra time with more things to do. 

Stop and think for a moment: how much are you working for Jesus? 




In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus said “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’” (NIV84). 
In this passage we are told to do three things that bring rest. Christian, we are to come to Jesus, take His yoke upon us, and learn from Him. 
If we come, work, and learn our souls will rest. 

Do you need rest in your life right now? Let’s examine some other passages that have to do with resting in God: 

John 16:33 (NIV84) “‘…in me [Jesus] you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcomethe world.’”
Are peace and rest related to each other? Possibly. They are indeed two different things but you cannot rest without having peace. We find peace in Jesus. Despite the trouble all around us when we are with Christ we find peace.

Psalm 116:7 (NASB) “Return to your rest, O my soul, For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.”
If you are a Spirit filled believer in Jesus you can be with Jesus, work for Jesus, and learn from Jesus at any time! So how is it that us Christians leave our “resting place” if that place is with Jesus? 
Although it is true that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39) it is also true that we can quench the Holy Spirit and walk away from God. 
Perhaps you have lost your spiritual resting place by being involved with a sin of some sort or simply ignoring God (which is a sin in and of itself). 
Psalm 116:10-11 (NASB) “I believed when I said, ‘I am greatly afflicted.’ I said in my alarm, ‘All men are liars.’”
This song writer began to despair because of the troubles of life until he remembered the graciousness of the LORD. It is often the troubles of life that cause us to leave our relationship with God to collect dust. Yet it is during these times of great affliction that we must run to Him all the more. 
How has the Lord dealt bountifully with you? 
How can you remember this when the troubles of life hit?

Let’s return to Matthew 11:28-30:
“Come to me [Jesus], all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’” (NIV84).
How can we come to Jesus when the work of life drives us to exhaustion and despair? We need to remember His graciousness. How can we ensure that we will remember this when things get rough? We can set up reminders in our lives such us daily routines, entertainment, and decorations that focus our attention on God.
What does it mean to take Jesus’ yoke upon ourselves?
A yoke is an object that pushes beasts of burden to work (usually plowing or driving). By taking Jesus’ yoke upon ourselves we are taking His work (figuratively plowing his field and driving his cartload). By taking Jesus’ yoke upon ourselves we are working for Him and serving Him.
“The Pharisees had laid many burdens on the people (Matt. 23:4), and their religion did not give rest and peace. No human religion can give peace to the heart. Christ offers a yoke that is easy in contrast to the grinding, binding yoke of the law (Acts 15:10).” (Wiersbe). Instead we have been given a yoke characterized by salvation and grace!
Now the yoke that us 21st century Christians tend to bear is not one of religious law (at least your Christianity should not be one of only rules and commands). Yet the principle stands all the more! Despite the simple burdens of life, in Christ’s work there is rest. 
When we serve Christ we find spiritual rest. My life and testimony is proof of this paradox (contact me to learn more).
What are we supposed to learn from Jesus? We are to learn His character of gentleness and humility.
To be “gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29 NIV84) is to be slow to anger and placing the rights of others above your own. 
One gifted theologian and Biblical scholar once wrote “Wherever pride and anger dwell, there is nothing but mental labor and agony; but, where the meekness and humility of Christ dwell, all is smooth, even, peaceable, and quiet; for the work of righteousness is peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever.” (Adam Clarke's Commentary).
The phrase “…you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29 NASB) is quoted from the OT.
Jesus was quoting Jeremiah 6:16: “Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls…” (NASB).
This was fulfilled in Jesus. The good and ancient way is being with, working for, and learning from Jesus.

We will find the rest we are seeking when we are being with, working for, and learning from Jesus (despite the busy and demanding lives we have).

Takeaways (take some time to reflect and pray on these things):
How can I make sure I am coming to Jesus on a regular basis?
Do I need to spend less time on something in order to better serve Jesus?
How can I serve Jesus better in the ministry I am involved in? OR How can I begin serving Jesus (taking His yoke)?
In what areas do I need to learn Christ’s gentleness and humility more?

Matthew 10:39 (NIV84) “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it”