On Monday, September 5, we will celebrate Labor Day. This day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers and is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894. Labor Day weekend also symbolizes the end of summer for many Americans and is celebrated with parties, street parades, and athletic events. So, enjoy!

 

In the Bible, Jesus talks about the end of our “Labor Days” for those who give their lives to Him. This is not a “Day” but an ongoing enjoyment of life and freedom in Christ. Matthew chapter 11, verse 28, Jesus says these words (King James Bible).

 

“COME UNTO ME, ALL YE THAT LABOR AND
ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.”

Another version of the Bible called The Message Bible says this in Matthew 11:28:

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me.
Get away with Me, and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a REAL REST.

                                                                                                                                                           

During Biblical times, the children of Israel were under a lot of pressure to perform. The religious laws given by God, along with the laws of the Pharisees, were impossible to keep. They also were under the tyranny of Roman rule, which demanded their mental and physical labor to pay taxes. If that was not enough, they were surrounded by nations who hated and oppressed them. They lived in constant fear and anxiety every day of their lives, just like today. When Jesus ministered to them, He offered them a rest unlike the one they celebrated every Saturday evening, the Sabbath Rest.  This rest was different. It entailed utter dependence upon Him to enjoy.

 

JESUS CHRIST’S INVITATION TO US

 

Jesus invites two types of people to enjoy His rest. The first group is those who labor. Labor means to toil, grow weary, or struggle with a task, situation, or circumstance. How many of us can relate to toiling, growing tired, and struggling with some life problem or circumstance? Or we struggle and toil trying to get others to do what we want them to do. Finally, we may struggle to get God to love or approve of us through works and activities. We all have experienced laboring in our own strength (flesh) at one time or another. This invitation is for us.

 

 

If you do not fit in the group of those who labor, there is a second group Jesus invites to His rest. These people are those who are heavy-laden. Heavy laden is a shipping term that means to carry a heavy load or burden, whether emotional, mental, or physical. Jesus says, “Come to Me.”

 

COME TO ME

 

I love Jesus’s words to us to COME TO ME! He revealed who He is throughout the scriptures. He overcame the powers of sin, darkness, and the world. He bore our shame, guilt, fears, anxieties, sorrows, and pains upon Himself. He is the I AM, so problems, worries, toils, or any of our struggles are  NO MATCH FOR HIM. There is nothing in this world or our world He can not handle! For those reasons and a decillion more, we can COME TO HIM… OUR GOD OF THE UNIVERSE!

 

I WILL GIVE YOU REST

 

Jesus promised when we turn our eyes within us to Him; we will always find rest. Rest means refreshing, ease, relaxation, and relief for our souls. In Hebrews chapter 10, verses 1-3 of the Amplified Bible state: 

 

¹ Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still remains and is freely offered today, let us fear, in case any one of you may seem to come short of reaching it or think he has come too late.

 

 ² For indeed we have had the good news [of salvation] preached to us, just as the Israelites also [when the good news of the promised land came to them]; but the message they heard did not benefit them because it was not united with faith [in God] by those who heard. 

 

³ For we who believe [that is, we who personally trust and confidently rely on God] enter that rest [so we have His inner peace now because we are confident in our salvation and assured of His power], just as He has said, 

 

“As I swore [an oath] in My wrath,  They shall not enter My rest,”[this He said] although His works were completed from the foundation of the world [waiting for all who would believe].

 

JESUS IS OUR REST

 

There are “No More Labor Days” in the Kingdom of God. All our toiling, struggling, stressing, worrying, fearing, and carrying burdens in our strength ended in the finished work of Jesus Christ. In this glorious kingdom where we dwell IN Christ, and He dwells IN us, we can experience perfect rest for our souls. Our Lord carries the cares of our life and all our burdens when we choose to give them to Him. 

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Enjoy Christ, Enjoy (Zoe) Our Life,

Our Rest!