Rest

Last night I finished a gospel meeting with the Kemper Heights Church in Nashville. This followed a meeting with the Woodland Hills church in Marion, Indiana.

We enjoyed being with both congregations where we’ve ministered in the past, renewing friendships and fellowship with some wonderful brethren. It has been encouraging to us and, hopefully, edifying to them.

After days like that, one word rises to the surface: rest.

I’m ready for a break. So today we’re heading to the Smoky Mountains for 10 days of R & R.

Well, I will be preaching the next two Sundays at the Cosby church. But it will be a break from preaching 15 lessons in eight days.

So this morning I’m reflecting on the Biblical concept of rest. That desire for rest is not merely physical—it is woven into the fabric of God’s design.

The Genesis account of creation offers this insight:

“And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.” (Gen. 2:2–3).

In the New Testament, we also see Jesus taking time from His ministry to rest. Even in moments of social joy—like attending a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee (John 2:1–10)—He participated in the rhythms of life that included both work and fellowship.

During the pressures of His ministry, Jesus still found time to rest—to be alone, or to spend quiet time with His apostles. On one occasion, Mark records: “And He said to them, ‘Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.’ For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.” (Mk. 6:31–32)

It is good to take a break from our weekly workload—from daily routines, deadlines, pressures, and pressing problems. There is a time to step away—to rest, relax, and be renewed.

But Scripture speaks of a deeper rest—one that no vacation can provide.

It is a rest from the load of emotional cares, from the weight of guilt, and from the burden of sin. Jesus promised, “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.” (Matt. 11:28–30)

The Hebrew writer also uses the concept of “Canaan rest,” referring to Israel’s entrance into the promised land—finding rest from their wilderness wanderings. He uses that as a metaphor for the eternal rest promised to God’s faithful.

The beloved John expressed it this way: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.’” (Rev. 14:13)

However, there is a danger of missing the promised rest God has prepared because of unbelief. The writer of Hebrews reminded Christians of the failure of their forefathers who, through unbelief, did not enter into Canaan. The same warning is real when it comes to that heavenly rest (Heb. 3:7–14).

So, in the midst of our earthly labors, be faithful, focused, and heavenly-minded.  But take some time to rest.

But more importantly, seek the rest Christ offers—freedom from the burden of sin—and live with the expectation of that eternal rest with the Lord in heaven.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman