DOCTRINE
Christ tenderly gives rest to the tired and burdened who trust in Him as their Priest, submit to Him as their King, and listen to Him as their Prophet.
I. CHRIST TENDERLY GIVES REST TO WEARY AND TIRED SOULS (v. 28)
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Christ promises rest to those who are weary and tired of trying and failing to justify themselves.
Look at Christ living without sin! If you look to Him in faith, His sinlessness will be credited to your account.
Look at Christ perfectly upholding the Law! If you look to Him in faith, His Law keeping righteousness will cover you like a robe.
Remember the words of the Father to Christ at His baptism, “This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased.” If you are untied to Christ by faith, well then the righteousness of Jesus that lead to His Father proclaiming such sweet words of acceptance and love are also yours, because you are clothed in that same righteousness! You can rest in His perfect law-keeping life.
II. CHRIST TENDERLY GIVES REST TO BURDENED AND CRUSHED SOULS (v. 28)
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Christ promises rest to those who are burdened and crushed by the weight of their sins.
Isaiah 53:4-5 “4 Surely he has BORNE our griefs and CARRIED our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”
III. CHRIST TENDERLY GIVES REST TO THOSE WHO TRUST HIM AS THEIR PRIEST (v. 28a)
Matthew 11:28a “Come to me…
Jesus is a tender and loving priest to those who come to Him by faith.
IV. CHRIST TENDERLY GIVES REST TO THOSE WHO SUBMIT TO HIM AS THEIR KING (v. 29a)
Matthew 11:29a “Take my yoke upon you…”
Jesus is a tender and loving King to those who humbly take His yoke upon them.
V. CHRIST TENDERLY GIVES REST TO THOSE WHO LISTEN TO HIM AS THEIR PROPHET (v. 29-30)
Matthew 11:29-30 “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.”
Jesus is a tender and loving Prophet to those who listen and learn from Him.
CONCLUDING EXHORTATIONS
I) Today! Cast your deadly doing down and rest in Christ’s righteousness.
II) Right now! Cast your sin-burdens onto Christ —the lightest to the heaviest—and rest in the forgiveness bought by His bloody cross.
III) Everyday! Cast His yoke upon your neck anew and live as His happy slaves for His glory, others’ good, and your own gladness.
IV) Everyday! Cast all your anxieties and worries on Him and rest in His providence, believer.
V) Everyday! Cast your soul on Christ for rest, yet labor for His glory now—there is a rest laid up for you in heaven.