Rest in The Lord

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:29 (KJV)

Jesus promised us rest for our souls. Rest is the Greek word anapausis, which means intermission from labor, to be refreshed, cessation, rest. It is the word used consistently in the Septuagint for sabbath, which means rest. It is not a rest FROM work; it is a rest IN work. According to Vine’s New Testament Word Pictures, it isn’t a rest of inactivity, but the harmonious working of the will, heart, imagination, and conscience in alignment with God which brings satisfaction.

Jesus came to give us rest from religion, which is trying to get God’s acceptance by our own works. Jesus wants us to rest from such labors, instead relying on His finished work of salvation. Now, as saved saints, we work WITH Jesus to do His work of ministry. We work not to be accepted, but out of love for Him.

We can rest in Jesus now. We don’t have to worry about life, people, or any other challenge because we now trust Him for everything. We are now seated in heavenly places in and with Christ because the work fo salvation is finished. God rested when creation was finished. Jesus said, “It is finished,” and He rests now on His throne in heaven.

Don’t try to add your own works to the works of Christ. Jesus alone saves. We can’t save ourselves. Trying to do so only creates frustration and hopelessness.

In all that we do, we do it from a place of rest in Christ, not in stress or striving. We rest in the Lord who is our rest. We are in Him, so our spirit, soul, and body is at rest in Him. This brings peace: wholeness, soundness, and rest in Jesus because we’re in His care.