Matthew 11:25-30
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
“Come to Me, all you 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.” (vss. 28-30)
To know of such a peaceful rest is definitely to know Christ! It brings us to remember how our sabbath rest is in Him. The first Sabbath was that seventh day of the week in which the Jews of old were commanded to rest from physical labor. This Sabbath was fulfilled and ended in the second Sabbath, which is the Lord Jesus Christ. Because He is the Sabbath Rest of God, everyone who believes in Him enjoys an endless spiritual peace (rest)—that is, the peace of being reconciled to God and of being forgiven of all sins. This is a third Sabbath. A fourth Sabbath is the Resurrection of the dead which will occur on the Last Day. At that time the spiritual rest which the saints enjoy now through faith will also become a bodily rest, as they enjoy everlasting perfection of body, soul, and spirit in the presence of their Savior.
This Advent season we rejoice to know that our Lord and Savior has advented to give us rest. Most importantly, He has given us rest from sin, from guilt, and from the fear of God’s wrath and continues to do so as He advents through His Word and Sacraments. But, when He comes (advents) on the Last Day, He will give us rest from pain, from sorrow, from death, and from all the weaknesses of this fallen world forever. An eternal sabbath in the Lord!
Let us pray: Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
