“Come to Me”: For Those Who are Burned Out and Weary

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

-Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

What comes to your mind when you think of Jesus? His miraculous birth? His death on a cross? His second coming when he returns to the earth as a powerful King? But what about his gentle, gracious heart which desires to give you rest?

Let's take a closer look at Matthew 11:28-30.

The Heart of Christ

While speaking to the crowds (11:7), Jesus uses children as an illustration in two ways, positively and negatively.

First, negatively, he points out that children can be stubborn and selfish. Jesus says that the "crowds and the religious leaders who have rejected John's and Jesus' ministries . . . are like selfish and stubborn children, always insisting on their own way."[1]

On the other hand, later, he talks about children positively saying that those who receive the gospel with a simple type of faith are like children. Jesus prays, "At that time Jesus declared, 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will'" (Matt. 11:25-26).

Notice what Jesus says next. After making a cosmic claim which reveals his power, by saying that all things have been handed over to him by the Father (11:27), he tells those who are working hard and overburdened to come to him so that he can give them rest (11:28).

Does this strike you as unusual? Often power is not utilized to take care of people. Sadly, people in power don’t always make sure others are rested and thriving. Instead, power is frequently used at the expense of people to produce a desired outcome (examples: numbers, money, etc.). That was the case with the religious leaders who heaped heavy burdens on people.

But Jesus is different. He calls himself "gentle and lowly in heart," and he says that they will find rest for their souls (11:29). Unlike the heavy yokes from the religious leaders, Jesus' yoke is easy and his burden is light (11:30).

The world and spiritual enemy often put harsh, oppressive expectations on our shoulders. “We want more!” they demand. And we are left feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.

But Jesus is different. He cares for you.

Are you overwhelmed and burned out?

Jesus says, “Come to me.” He is the burden-lifter. He is the rest-giver. He is all-powerful, and at the same time, he cares for you.

End Notes:

[1] ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2008), 1842.