We know from this passage, that there are three parts to a human being – the spirit, soul and the body. We also understand that this is the established order – first the spirit, then the soul and lastly the body. God looks first at the spirit! This is in quite a contrast to what people of this world generally see: first the body…
We, as spiritually renewed people, conclude that it is essential to give due importance to matters concerning our spirit. Today let me share about the need for rest in our lives…Rest in our spirit, soul and body.
Bodily rest is easy to understand and follow…lie down, go to sleep; everyone knows this. But, how can we experience spiritual rest and also the rest for our souls…and no, I'm not talking about entering eternal rest; it’s my burden today to share how we can have rest in our spirit and find rest for our souls, while we are still alive and well, here on earth.
A well-known passage from the Bible is Matt. , 29; Jesus said: “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.”
Verse 28 is all about the spiritual rest. Yoked by sin and heavy laden with guilt, there is but one recourse to get rest in your spirit: Come to Jesus. There is simply no other way for your burdens to be lifted. And there is no price to pay, no work to do: you cannot earn it, you cannot attain it with penance and pilgrimage… Come to Him…that is all; the work is already done by Him–Christ Jesus, for our spiritual awakening. Rest is found in Him alone, the Author of salvation .
In John 5:40, Jesus spoke to the Jews, “But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” If we read the verses before, Jesus reasons with the Jews, that there is a fourfold witness-John the Baptist, the works Jesus did, the Father Himself and the Holy Scriptures-that testify that He indeed is the long-awaited Messiah. But the Jews did not believe…
But if you believe, and come to Him, in a moment you will find your burdens lifted… ‘that sinking feeling’ was never meant to be a part of your life anyway. Sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus; the guilt and condemnation is wiped away…this is the rest for your spirit.
The Bible says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph. 2:8, 9). God is not going to push you; it is of your own will, you come. (Look at Jesus' anguish over Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37). Willingly if we come, we can enter His rest. Hebrews 4:3 says, “For we who have believed do enter that rest…”
Look at Jesus, gaze upon Him; thank God for the simplicity of the gospel…and so easy to understand, whether an intellectual or an illiterate, whether poor or rich, whether black or white or brown skinned…all can enter His rest, if only we would come to Jesus!
When I speak in the church, I know most of us have entered His rest in our spirit when we have willingly come to Jesus, taken His promise and exchanged our death for His life! But continuing with the theme of rest, now how do you find rest for your souls?
You see, the mind or intellect, will and emotions constitute the soul of a person. Is your soul in turmoil or has it found rest? Do you find yourself always questioning the ways of God? Are you now and again struggling with your emotional self? Now, the rest for your soul is not a given…nor is it quick to attain. Jesus says in Matt. 11:29, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly of heart…”
You know in those days, when they have to train a new bullock for pulling the cart, it is yoked together with an experienced bullock…this is a good illustration of what Jesus is calling us to do! He has gone before us…He is gentle, and lowly of heart; He made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant…He humbled Himself and became obedient… (Phil. 2:7, 8).
That brings us to this: rest for the soul is a learning process! There are no short-cuts! Jesus is calling us to learn from Him…to keep in step with Him and obey just as He obeyed, walk day-by-day looking at Him, and yes, we will FIND rest for our souls! There are just two things to learn-meekness (or gentleness) and humility (or lowliness of heart).
Meekness in our relationship with God and with men…That's what we learn from Jesus. When He came, there was no place in the inn and He was born in a manger so lowly; yes, He accepted God's ways and will from the cradle in the cattle-stall at His birth, to the cross among criminals at His death…yes, even His early days as carpenter to His ministry days with no room to lay His head! Meekness toward God is acceptance of God's will in our lives.
Meekness toward God is also, accepting God's discipline in our lives. Hebrews says that God our Father chastens us for our profit…because it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness. As we walk with Jesus, we will find truly His gentleness has made us great (Psalm ).
James calls us to receive God's word with meekness…the implanted word, which is able to save our souls. We are spirit beings-first of all, when we are reconciled with God. Therefore, we are people who live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Every trial has a word from God for you…He sent His word and healed my disease…even if we die we live!
Meekness also includes our relation with fellow human beings. Matthew 5:5, during the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” For a worldly person, this may not make sense, for we have been taught that we ought to fight for our rights, to be in the rat-race, push forward and make demands… but really it is the meek who shall inherit the earth! Also, there is no place for revenge-eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth, but we can learn from Jesus, who when insulted, did not insult in return. Galatians 5 assures us, the Holy Spirit working within us WILL produce meekness-the fruit of the Spirit.
The other thing to learn is humility…then we WILL find rest for our souls. Humility is not an outward display of lowly state…it is in essence, an internal quality of contentment. It is not about thinking lowly about yourself and losing your self-esteem, but rather giving a higher regard to others. Yes, we need to have right thoughts-about ourselves and how God sees us…but humility is more about unity and harmony-in church fellowships and at home. 1 Peter 3:8, 9 talks about inheriting a blessing because of our compassion, and love, and being tenderhearted and courteous.
God's word concludes, everyone who humbles himself shall be exalted…Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him… (Phil. 2:8, 9).
Do you want rest for your souls? As you learn, from Jesus, meekness and humility, all your questions, struggles and turmoil will disappear and you will find rest for your soul. Jeremiah says, Thus says the Lord: “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk in it.” It is not God's will for you to struggle in your souls, gripe and grovel. The Lord is calling you to find rest for your spirit and your soul. What will be your response?
We have His word; we have His example…there is no dearth of knowledge of what we must do; but are you willing to apply that knowledge and put into practice-patience, meekness and humility. Spirituality is not learnt in a Bible college…it is in the day-by-day walk with the Lord. Everyone does have ample opportunities to apply these principles everyday…are you REALLY interested in a harmonious relationship with other fellow believers and those at home? Would you find rest for your soul as with your spirit?
We have His word; we have His example…there is no dearth of knowledge of what we must do; but are you willing to apply that knowledge and put into practice-patience, meekness and humility. Spirituality is not learnt in a Bible college…it is in the day-by-day walk with the Lord. Everyone does have ample opportunities to apply these principles everyday…are you REALLY interested in a harmonious relationship with other fellow believers and those at home? Would you find rest for your soul as with your spirit?
May God grant you His grace. Amen.
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