Tuesday, March 6, 2012

A Meditation on Rest

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will rest you.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek (power under control) and lowly in kardia (heart): and ye shall find rest unto your souls (psuchais).  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matthew 11: 28-30).

The primacy of persons and their distresses and anxieties are of central concern to the Iesous.  While some may focus upon or believe that change is the most pressing need of persons the Iesous knows otherwise.  He knows that the most vital need of persons in this world is rest from its intrinsic mosiac of suffering and conflict. 

In the Greek Text the verb 'rest' is anapausoAnapauso means:  To cease or to desist, to restrain something or to leave off.  The prefix 'ana' of this important word means:  To lift from a lower to a higher place.

The Iesous knows that this life is filled with incredible hardships and disappointments that threaten to overwhelm and collapse our bravest resolves.  He gives rest from that which would crush us. 

"I will rest you" united with the imperative of "Come unto Me" is the invitation of Grace.  His promise is that "you will find rest unto your souls." 

Are you tired of being (ontic) tired emotional discontent, fearful, and withdrawn from life?  May I suggest that you accept His invitation of rest through Faith in Him.

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