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September 17, 1989 PM

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me. For I am meek and lowly of heart. And ye shall find rest unto your souls.

INTRODUCTION

The words of our text are just about the most beautiful words in any language.

But they are universally misunderstood or mis-appropriated: as (1) to be an emergency escape in times of trouble only; or, (2) a take-it-or-leave-it viable alternative among many ways to go. Or, (3) it is thought to be unworthy of respect because it seems "cheap." [That's too easy! Just 'Come unto Me!']

[But these are words we all need to hear. And welcome, too, just NOW!]

I. THIS IS NO CHEAP, EASY SOLUTION TO LIFE'S PROBLEMS

Only QUACKS promise "Salvation is the end of your problems!" JESUS doesn't!
As a matter of fact, salvation may INCREASE the number of your problems. It is neither simple nor easy to be a committed follower of Jesus Christ.
But only Jesus can say these words: (text) "I will give you rest!"
But these words are not meant for us to take lightly, either. We can never simply "Add Jesus!" and find instant relief! JESUS IS NOT LIFE'S ROLAID!

II. THESE WORDS ARE A CALL TO ALLEGIANCE TO A PERSON

Jesus said: "Come unto ME!"

It is not a call to blind allegiance to a system or to a human organization. I hope you trust me, and love my church, but you cannot come to Jesus simply on the authority of MY say-so. I want to help you, and be a faithful messenger. But the call is to JESUS!
How may we know the 'real Jesus?' So many versions are being marketed. So many "ways" being thought of as "the" way!
1. I must know personally, for myself! I can and may invite Jesus into my life to teach me by His Holy Spirit. Mentors and teachers and helpers are fine. But when I cannot move except for a discipler, I am in deep trouble! Jesus is capable of setting me free to follow HIM!
2. I will know Jesus for myself through the Word. Jesus never contradicts the written word.
3. I must have the witness of the Spirit within. This is NOT some outward sign, or some universal stamp. It IS an inner persuasion: we dare not be satisfied until we KNOW we have HIM in our inmost being to live!
Only this personal faith in JESUS will survive! "Orthodox" Christians, even by-the-book Nazarenes without HIM will be sadly disappointed. Every life not built on Jesus will crumble and disappear.
No mere nominal profession will do. No lip-service will 'cut it.' Appearances will not make it with God. Jesus can never ever be a 'minor part' of life! JESUS IS LORD OF ALL- OR NOT LORD AT ALL!

III. THESE WORDS ARE A CALL TO A YOKE

"Rest" would seem to be the exact opposite of a "yoke." A yoke is in some ways a form of bondage.
But "no work at all" is NOT what the human soul craves. What we really CRAVE is work that really MEANS SOMETHING! Real REST is finding satisfaction and accomplishment in what we do.
[I heard Dr. Mann say many years ago "I haven't WORKED in 30 years!" Now many of us had seen him put in hours and days and miles; had seen him very tired in the work of the college he served and loved. But what he meant was clear: he LOVED what he was doing!]
"Rest" means we are free from bondage to sin. We may be "bound" but it is by cords of LOVE! We are doing what we WANT to do!
Being "yoked" with Jesus puts us in harmony with all that is GOOD and RIGHT and CREATIVE in the Universe that He made!

IV. THESE WORDS ARE A CALL TO THE HUMILITY OF LEARNING

Jesus said: "LEARN of Me!"

Our testimonies sometimes seem to imply: "God is really LUCKY to have a person like ME!" We also say: "I found the Lord!" Which is something like falling out of the boat and saying, "I have FOUND the ocean!"
Our culture has taken a good thing- the need for a healthy self-image- and made an idol of it until humility is something quaint and ancient, something to be despised.
But Jesus said: "Apart from ME, you can do NOTHING!" Until we learn of Jesus we don't REALLY know what life is about!
It is an accepted theme: "Don't be TOO religious!" Emil Brunner said: "The demand to put religion first is religious arrogance."
Well, I agree- sort of. Don't put "religion" first! Don't be always "spiritualizing" everything. But Jesus Christ first? THERE SIMPLY IS NO OTHER WAY!! He wants to have THE word on every aspect of our lives!
Augustine said it: "Thou hast made us for Thyself, O God! And our souls are restless until they find their rest in Thee!"
Jesus said: "Learn if Me!"
HUMILITY IS THE PRE-REQUISITE FOR LEARNING!
Perhaps I am editorializing here. But I speak of the difference between learning and training, between education and guidance for career. The difference somehow has to do with submission to Truth; a willingness to change, rather than just acquiring knowledge and skills in order to accomplish one's own ends and purposes.
"Learn of Me!"

CONCLUSION

When Jesus began the "exclusive" part of His ministry the Apostle John tells us that people began to leave. Ones, twos, groups simply walked away.

And Jesus turned to His disciples and asked: "Will YOU go away, too?"

Peter spoke up. He always spoke up! And I don't know whether you will let him speak for you or not, but I want you to know he was speaking for me, at least that time! he said: "Master, where shall we go? To whom shall we go? YOU have the words of eternal life!"

"Learn of Me!"

The Peace Corps used to have a saying: "The hardest job you'll ever love!" They said: "Hard work!" "Low pay!" "Long hours!" "The hardest work you'll ever love!"

And people signed up— because they knew that is some small way their lives would make a difference!

Jesus challenges every one of us— old and young. "Live before you die!" "Are you TIRED? Come to Me! I'll give you REST!"

"Come to Me, and share My YOKE! Help Me do My work! LIVE BEFORE YOU DIE!"

"Learn of Me!"

And best of all— as you RESPOND to the Great Invitation, you'll find JESUS WILL BE RIGHT THERE, TOO!

[What do you do when you get a gracious invitation from someone you admire and respect?]

#13 (WS) O Thou In Whose Presence