I will give you rest
“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.”—MATTHEW 11:28–30
These words of Jesus were wonderfully good news to the Jewish people. They were loaded down with a heavy burden of trying to earn their salvation by keeping the law and all the ordinances and traditions that had developed in Judaism. This was a weight no one could bear. And there are countless people who are still under that burden. While there may be many religions by name and description, there are only two religious systems. There is the truth of the gospel that salvation comes apart from works by faith alone through grace. And there is every other system, by whatever name, that says by religious ceremony, by moral deeds, and by good works you earn your way to heaven. It provides no peace and no rest because no one can be perfect. Jesus came along and said, “Come to Me, and I’ll give you rest. Instead of this horrendous yoke that has been imposed upon you, take My yoke. I’m gentle, I’m lowly in heart, and I’ll give you rest because My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” That is the wonderful promise of salvation by grace through faith.