"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28
“Come unto me,”
What a beautiful invitation from the Lord Jesus Christ! “Come unto me.” Notice that this call to “come” is not an invitation to come to some preacher. Nor is it even an invitation to a church, but to Jesus Himself.
“Come unto me – This phrase in the new covenant implies simply, believing in Christ, and becoming his disciple, or follower”[1] (Clarke).
“All ye that labor and are heavy laden,”
Please understand who this call is directed to. It is only to those struggling in their toil and who are burdened down with impossible loads.
“No sublimer words exist than this call of Jesus to the toiling and the burdened…to come to him”[2] (Robertson).
If you have no burden and you are self-satisfied, this invitation is not for you. If you have no needs, and if your life is a piece of cake, then this invitation is not for you. You see, Jesus is only inviting the needy to come to Him.
“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:5-7).
“And I will give you rest.”
To all who will come to Jesus with their terrible burdens, He promises rest for you. Jesus is saying,
“I will refresh you”…. “Far more than mere rest, rejuvenation. The English slang expression “rest up” is close to the idea of the Greek compound…”[3] word (Robertson).
“And I will give you rest. ‘I’ is emphatic; other teachers lay burdens on you, I am able, as well as willing, to end your useless labor and remove the crushing burden.”[4]
Dear Lord, thank you for ending my useless labor and taking my burden, thank you for your salvation and your rest.
[1] Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, the electronic version in eSword.
[3] A.T. Robertson, ibid.
[4] Popular New Testament, A Popular Commentary on the New Testament, the electronic version in eSword.