Reprinted with permission from Truth & Tidings Magazine
The incomprehensible grace of our Lord Jesus Christ pours into a lost crowd of souls; they had openly rejected their Messiah, but He gives them five blessed words, "I will give you rest." We would expect His words to fall upon those cowering in their sin and laboring under the burden of iniquity, but He actually presents His great invitation to a world of Christ-rejecters. Upon the unmoved hearts of the citizens of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, who witnessed His miracles, falls the wonderful promise of everlasting rest.
"I" - These five beautiful words begin with the awesome "I am"; the One to Whom all power is given (Matt 11:27). This "I" is co-equal with the Father, holds all things together, and has all judgment delivered to Him. He is the Son of God, the Prince of Peace, and the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. Surely, this omnipotent, holy One has power to deliver on His promise and thereby grant rest.
"I WILL GIVE" - gives birth not to a whimsical hope but an absolute promise underwritten by God Himself with the blood of His dear Son in Whom we have the redemption. One Who cannot lie has guaranteed He will rescue and redeem every soul mired in iniquity. The Father gave His well beloved, only begotten Son to bring peace to the souls of Chorazin and to us as well. The apostle Paul enjoys this truth from Galatians 2:20: The Son of God Who loved me and gave Himself for me.
"I WILL GIVE YOU" - ushers a world of lost souls into the vastness of God’s grace - souls burdened by a guilty conscience, laboring under the curse of iniquity, and gripped by the unbreakable bond of sin. Isaiah 59:2 reminds us that "your sins have separated you from your God and your iniquities have hid His face from you." This verse emphasizes the darkness that enslaves men and women lost in an impenetrable fog of sin. Incredibly, these humble words of the loving Savior quickly course through this Christ-rejecting darkness, seeking weary souls longing for forgiveness, peace, and rest.
"I WILL GIVE YOU REST - This rest is not simply a moment of inactivity on the treadmill of time. This rest the Almighty Savior offers is the rest of conscience, the rest of salvation, and rest for eternity. Rest is an important concept in Scripture. God rested the seventh day when His work was complete and He was satisfied. The dove rested on a branch only after the judgment of the Flood was complete. The dove-like Spirit rested on the Lord Jesus at His baptism, showing God’s complete satisfaction in His Son. Finally, the angels rested at the tomb showing that He was raised from the dead, victor over sin, death, and hell; His promise was fulfilled. Our sins are forgiven; the righteous God is satisfied. Blessed, everlasting rest has been achieved for the burdened soul through the finished work of Christ! God the Father and all creation rest on Christ. HAVE YOU?
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