Here in Matthew 11:28-29 the Lord Jesus (the Beloved Son of God) stretches out His loving, powerful and gracious hands to us, to beckon and invite us to enter into the sheltering sanctuary of His haven of rest from the burdening “rat race” of this life.
During His earthly tour as He walked among us Matthew 9:35 reported: “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”
Notice the particular detail described in verse 36a: “…when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” In other words, the Lord closely examined the prevailing conditions of distress and despair that has been characteristic of our human condition.
He observed the wrinkles of frustrating anguish and pain that marred our faces as a result of following our incessant impulse of chasing the illusive wind of ”vain things.” He saw the intense expressions of exhaustion and exasperation experienced from our daily toll of labor; and witnessed the strength sapping toil of hardship and adversity that beat down upon our bodily frame year after year.
Does not this depiction yet describe the nature of the burdens of life that yet exists among us who live in this 21st Century Era? Indeed, we have to step away from the illusion of life as portrayed on the television screen to get an accurate assessment. But easily as we gaze about us, and listen to the anxieties and worries we communicate with each other can we not conclude (even wth all of our technological gadgets and devices) that “times have not changed” over the centuries?
When we look into mirror does not our physical body conditions and facial countenances reflect the impact of the continuing expenditure of our life energies caused by the afflictions of sin and weights and burdens of life’s toils and trouble?
It is precise to this group of souls that the Lord gladly invites, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
But, the invitation is not just offered at that stage of our Salvation Experience. It remains open to us along the span of our “walk of faith;” and beckons to us when foolishly "backslide" and detour from the “appointed path” and when we stumble and fall by the wayside.
The soul-stirring invitation of our Lord and Savior yet “call out” to us to get up, and continue along the respective path that has been to each to us to travel. In Hebrews 12:1b-2a we are duly encouraged“…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith...”
