Introduction: Are you feeling tired? Overwhelmed and overloaded….that describes quite a few CHRISTians today. Do you agree? Others are Under-challenged and disconnected, and need to get CONNECTED to Jesus. Where do you fit in these groups? The Creator of the heaven and the earth, Jesus Christ grew TIRED and weary and yet offers REST. In John’s gospel, the evangelist recorded both the humanity and the deity of the Son of God.
1. As fully man, Jesus got TIRED and WEARY!
Listen to the Word of the Lord:
“Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.” (John 4:6)
The word “wearied” is κοπιάω (kop-ee-ah’-o), which means to work with effort (of bodily and mental labor alike).
2. As man, Jesus grew WEARY, but as God He invites His followers to find His REST!
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt 11:28-30)
Interesting to note, the same word for “weary” is used for “labor” in this text.
The additional word Matthew uses is “heavy laden”, which is φορτίζω, (for-tid’-zo). It means to load, to burden; pass, laden.
The word picture here for “yoke” is an instrument used to put on a farm animal for work. There is not any need to put the “yoke” on an animal that is fixing to go to sleep.
“Yoke” is ζυγός,(dzoo-gos’), which means a yoke (a Jewish idea) of a heavy burden, comparable to the heavy yokes resting on the bullocks’ necks; a balance, pair of scales.
However, the word for “rest” is ἀνάπαυσις,(an-ap’-ow-sis). It means cessation, rest, cessation from labor, refreshment.
You get the picture. Is there rest in the Lord’s WORK? Hard WORK…. yes, but supernatural REST! Are you mental TIRED, physically exhausted, Spiritually zapped?
Conclusion: It would do us all some good to both hear and heed our Lord’s call. In fact, this is as needful as our daily bread. Take a moment right now and get “Yoked” up to Jesus! The end result…..REST.
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
