It’s one of those moments so deeply seared onto my heart that I still glance at the memories and wince. I was in a Jamaican infirmary, tasked with offering some measure of comfort to the sick and dying housed there. Their beds were jammed together, packing every room. Many patients wailed incessantly. My comfort-craving brain wanted to find the escape hatch, to look somewhere other than at the faces of these people I could do so little for. Maybe that’s why my eyes kept drifting out the windows at the sugary white sand and emerald-blue Caribbean waters that sparkled just beyond the compound’s walls.
The juxtaposition of human sorrow and breathtaking beauty sticks with me still. In His life, Jesus was on the shore and in the suffering at the same time. We find a moment just as jarring in Matthew 11.
John the Baptist was imprisoned for his faith, sitting on death row. In the middle of that hardship, Jesus was using John’s predicament as an example of true discipleship when He delivered these comforting words.
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
—Matthew 11:28–30
Rest. Our bleary eyes and exhausted souls crave it, don’t they? And yet, John would remain in prison until his gruesome death. Humanly speaking, John’s yoke was not easy. His burden was not light. So what did Jesus mean?
I imagine John must have looked around his prison cell and felt tired from the weight of it all. He sent messengers to make sure Jesus had something better to offer (vv.1–3). Our weary hearts often wonder the same thing, don’t they?
Jesus responds like this: “Go and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news” (vv.4–5).
When this world leaves me weary, I want to take a nap. But Jesus wants to show me how He works in the middle of what is weary. If the kind of burden Christ offers doesn’t look like I think it will, He must be promising so much more.
Rest from pain, suffering, and worry is certainly something we can all readily give our “Amen!” to. But then here comes that juxtaposition again—that same tension—when Jesus adds, “And blessed is the one who isn’t offended by me” (v.6).
If a good night’s sleep and an easy life was all Jesus had to give John, it would not have been enough to keep him chained to Christ. Instead, John would die for his faith—not just for a handful of miracles that had already happened, but for a tsunami of healing that he believed was to come. Somewhere along the way, John must’ve resolved that the rest he needed most was not simply relief from his circumstance.
We are all broken by sin, longing for a cure. Jesus walks among us, removing the yoke of sin that bends our backs and breaks our hearts. Suffering and sleeplessness may remain temporarily, but the burden of sin is no longer ours to carry. Jesus took that burden so we could know the kind of rest that seeps past our bones and into our weary souls.
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46 thoughts on "Jesus Give Rest"
Amen. ❤️
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Praying for you Aimee as you seek answers to your malady ( “dis-ease”), that you remain calm & confident. Praying for your medical team, that they be guided by competence & compassion. Our bodies are such beautifully complex machinery. Be comforted by a Christ who knows us fully, and never fails. His faithfulness is forever.
Good Evening Shes. A Good Evening indeed. And anticipating a Good Morning. Been silent lately, not joining the community conversation. Not dropping by in the throes of insomnia. BECAUSE I’m experiencing the semblance of a sensible sleep schedule! Whether the doctor prescribed Doxepin. Or the Mixhers “her nightly” sleep support drink mix (Thanks sister She for recommending!). This combo, this regimen is however still new. But I am hearten & hopeful. As said in the devotional today: “Suffering and sleeplessness may remain temporarily, but the burden of sin is no longer ours to carry. Jesus took that burden so we could know the kind of rest that seeps past our bones and into our weary souls.” Lord, I claim that care & comfort. That forgiveness for my fears & failures. That prayer for peace. That comes through persistent praise. Knowing that You, that we, got this! Amen & Amen
I was diagnosed with vestibular migraines on 4/1/22. I had really hoped it was an April Fools joke. There is no cure. I feel like I am on a boat almost all of the time. It also causes disassociatism…where I feel like I am on the outside of my body looking in. It’s hard to explain. The ENT who diagnosed me and is supposed to be an expert in vestibular disorders said he has done all he can do for me. He sent me back to neurology. I go back to Duke tomorrow…this appointment was made in November. I follow the diet, I try to reduce stress. I have had no relief for over 3 years. (It took over a year for a diagnosis). I hope they can give me some hope. I cannot function like this. I have trouble concentrating, can’t remember dates or names..all part of VM. Plus I am exhausted all the time. Don’t mean to complain, I just need some prayers.
Have you gone to physical therapy? My son, a PT, works with patients with vestibular issues.
Praying for you Aimee.
MICHELLE PATIRE… I have put the FB app back on my iPad and only check two pages… SRT She’s and one to keep me updated on someone’s cancer fight. I don’t go to my main feed at all. (I left Facebook and Instagram a couple years ago, and now am really out of the habit of going in there at all. I only go to Facebook on Sunday afternoons, usually, and even FORGOT this week!)And I have put the app right next to my SRT widget that is not on the page that I see upon turning on my iPad. I should probably move SRT to the front, but I have some basic stuff on that page that I need to access more regularly.
I have heard that some people don’t even have the app on their phone, so that forces them to be “intentional” about turning on the computer. (The app makes it too easy.)
Prayers for you and stay connected with your sisters here.
Much love! ❤️
So weary of hearing the nasty things said about others. Matthew 11:18-19 May we look for the good in all people.
So weary that entire cities/groups of people are judged as one. Verses 20-24 May we see each and everyone.
So weary that things are hidden from the wise but revealed to little children. Verse 25. May we not be so set in our own wisdom that we fail to be open to what God reveals.
So weary that ‘no one knows’ except those to whom the Son chooses. Verse 27. May He choose to lead us with grace and mercy.
So weary that I need to come and receive rest, even if that means taking up the cross or the yoke. May we have the faith needed to learn to be in step with you.
Hello she’s
I hope you are doing well. These prominent phrases really stood out to me today:
“bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15:8 ESV)
“abide in me…my words abide in you,…ask whatever.. and it will be done for YOU” (Joh 15:7 ESV)
“abide in My love… abide in My love… abide in His love ” (John 15:10 ESV)- this feels like He is pleading with us.
“Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds” not by words and comments of idly sitting audience/ spiritually ignorant people (Matthew 11:19)- I needed this today!
MICHELLE PATIRE- I shared with your sentiment as well how social media connection is not true friendship. I reached out to some old friends during this hard time too but no one really wanted to listen. It is difficult. I hope you will feel better among faith-filled circle. Their mindset can lift you. Thank you sister for your love.
LAURA DIANE- so encouraged by your story. Thank you for sharing the struggles that your husband had gone through. I feel like people don’t talk about this as much, but thankful to know I am not alone. It takes a lot of strength to be vulnerable and admit we are vulnerable ❤️
ERB- amen ❤️
SEARCHING, KELLY (NEO), JULIA C and other she’s might be silently praying for us: thank you so very much, I am borrowing this quote to thank you, “No man can do me a truer kindness in this world than to pray for me” -Charles Spurgeon ❤️
TRACI G: prayers for healing from Covid for your household. So sorry.
RHONDA J: safe travels for your families visiting your dad. So blessed by the reflections you shared consistently about the Put on the boots book. I got the book and hope to read it one day. Your summary of each chapter was very helpful and encouraging.
TARA B: strength, emotional support for your family, children in this hardship, and brother’s deliverance.
MIA FAITH: lifting up your dear family, children, grandchildren in the wait. May a miracle happen!
THERESA: hope you’re feeling better from the cold/flu, and any update on Sydney? Hope she is doing okay and her kids are all right through this.
May the joy of the Lord be your strength. Remember in this world we shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer for He has overcome the world.
Be blessed dear sisters❤️
@Kris, YES, our Jesus goes before us and YES we have come a long way. Jesus gets ALL the glory! It’s been almost 7 years now.
“…the burden of sin is no longer ours to carry.”
Even though we (I) still feel the consequences of sin and have the need to repent when we (I) do sin, I love this reminder that I don’t have to carry the burden of my sin. I really needed to hear these verses today.
Thank you for praying for me and decisions to be made, dear Sisters. You truly are a blessing.
Rest is a verb and a noun in case anyone was wondering. My favorite definition is “be placed or supported so as to stay in a specified position.” Lord may I place my heart in your hands so that You will hold it steady and focused on you! Amen! Happy Wednesday She’s lifting up prayers for you all today. ☮️❤️
❤️ “Jesus is my rest in my circumstances, not from them.”I need to remember that always.
For healing and peace for so many sisters.
In the Book of Malachi it tells profound prophecy about the return of God and His purifying judgement. It calls the people of Israel to repentance, underscores the importance of giving to God, promises blessings for the obedient, and foretells the day of God’s return
a moment of doubt from John the Baptist, an expected reaction in challenging times. However, Jesus reassures John with evidence of fulfilled prophecy, Jesus speaks to the crowd about John the Baptist, affirming his role as the forerunner of the Messiah and his great stature among those born of women. However, Jesus also asserts that the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John, signifying the transformative power of His kingdom.
My husband tested positive for covid on Sunday. Yesterday I came down with it. I have a fever and it’s making it hard to focus on todays readings.
Rachael- thanks for sharing, I love that analogy of the yoke and to train us up! Beautiful testimony in trusting!
Mari V- Keep sharing, there are always new She’s reading and we never get tired of hearing about your Jesus and how he was near you in your distress!
Laura, Kris…all of you, thank you for the comments, so good and inspiration and helps us learn and grow. Love what you put Kelly, about Jesus IN the trial, not ridding us of the trials! Our pastor stopped into our pain group study of Job, and he said along the same lines. That the friends of Job talked about what they knew of God, Job talked TO God.
Have a great day! It’s my Wednesday Jail Ministry which I love to go and be a part of seeing them and learning more of what God reveals to us! We are on the 5th lesson of Jesus words on the journey to the cross and 5th 20 minutes of The Passion of the Cross! I encourage you to watch it again (or if you have not seen it!) this Easter season to feel the impact the sacrifice cost God’s son for our sins!
Praying for you TARA B that you will find your way through this separation with Jesus by your side. Also praying for your brother that Jesus will meet him where he is at and give his weary soul rest ❤️
My dad died suddenly (age 41) when I was in college. I remember reading about easy yokes and light burdens and being SO MAD. And confused. The yoke did not FEEL easy, nor did the burden FEEL light. God was so kind and gentle in that season, and eventually brought a speaker who taught about yokes. How a young, inexperienced ox was placed in a yoke with an older, trained ox. The majority of the weight was on the older ox and the younger ox had only to keep in step. If it did not, there was chafing and pain. Of course it is natural to grieve such a loss, but I was convicted that the majority of pain I was feeling was because of the way I was straining against the yoke – not trusting that God knew what He was doing and that He was GOOD. Once I learned better how to {mostly} rest in the yoke and sought to keep in step with Jesus, the yoke did indeed become {more} easy and the burden {more} light. There was still grief and pain, but the quality of it was different. Praying that we will all keep in step with Jesus, that our yokes will train and not chafe and that we will know His kindness and compassion as He bears the weight on our behalf.
MARI V: Oh man, I remember that day, too!! I felt the same fear and weakness you did. It’s hard to believe I let someone else provoke such fear in me. I can testify that Jesus has healed that broken part, He has freed me from that anxiety. We’ve come a long way, baby! Jesus has been here for us both, helping to strengthen us, helping us to know He is our protector, letting us live in freedom and confidence!!
SEARCHING, ❤ I agree with you wholeheartedly, sister!
Some of the commentary I read mentioned how the Jewish leaders could not be pleased. They couldn’t accept John nor would they accept Jesus. We see that in our world today as people bounce from one theology to another trying to find the TRUTH when it is so simple and so available. No wonder people are weary!
CHERYL BLOW – ❤
Joining in prayer, SHES! ❤
Thanks be to God for sending Jesus to give me rest and choosing me to serve Him. I pray I would be able to use my gifts to serve Him wisely.
LOVE, love, love Psalm 23! ALL of it! My thoughts this morning focus on verse 4. “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for YOU are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. I know, I may sound repetitive and most here know my story, but I feel is worth repeating. My darkest valley was when I finally left a 20+ year marriage then faced going to court. I remember how I trembled uncontrollably and I must of been holding-my-breath because the Women’s Haven advocate that accompanied me had to tell me several times, “take-a-deep-breath” This still to this day brings me tears and a little worked up. BUT GOD…My precious sweet JESUS was WITH ME!!!! Yes, I was weak. And yes, I felt fear and BUT I know that I know MY JESUS was with me. I just got done listening to an INCREDIBLE testimony by a priest by the name of Fr. Walter Ciszek who was imprisoned in the Soviet Union back in the 1960’s (I think) and wrote a book: He Leadeth Me, accounts to his experience. His faith was amazing! I’m assuming the book is named after Psalm 23. Jesus IS with us! He promises us NEVER to leave us! AND I believe that promise! And when I found myself SO scared in that courtroom, I almost feel ashamed that I was THAT scared! BUT I’m reminded of my human nature and someday I will be completely restored when I see Jesus face-to-face.
This devotional is so powerful. It takes us to the deepest longing of our souls. We all need physical rest, and I do a fairly good job at getting enough sleep every night. But emotional rest? that’s another story. The older I get, the more I realize that trusting God – trusting His provision, trusting His timing, trusting His wisdom – is where rest comes from. Asking Him to do something, then resting in knowing He knows when/how/if to answer my request is when I can rest in the circumstances I find myself. As John 15:9-11 says, staying in His love, obeying His commands brings the joy that we are looking for. Be content with where you are because if God wanted you to be somewhere else, He’d be sure to get you there. Most of our tension is in the midst of the decision making. Once you make a decision the tension leaves. If our decisions are based on God’s commands, we are in His love, and in His love there is joy, which bring peace. Peace is rest. Inside the deepest parts. We can rest in our souls because we have peace from knowing our Father is doing what is best for us at all times.
MICHELLE, I’m sorry to hear that you’re struggling mentally. It is hard to stay positive mentally when we see all that’s going on in the world around us. I pray that today, you will see the Goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. That God would awaken your spirit to how he is moving in the world today.
Psalm 23 is such a vivid picture of the rest God offers. Last year I was part of a group that brought a service to a Long term care home in our community. The speaker gave the devotional on Psalm 23. He gave a different perspective to the verse “he prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies”. He suggested that the table could be things like good friends, words of encouragement, church community. , anything that reminds us that God is with us. This has really stuck with me since then. When I’m overwhelmed by life or struggling to walk in faith I try to look for that table that God has prepared for me.
Another memory from that morning has really stuck with me. The residents we were serving were quite elderly and most of them unable to sing the songs and some were probably sleeping, but when the speaker asked them to recite the 23rd Psalm with him it was amazing how many recited it together with him, there were many that were unable to speak out loud but were mouthing the words. It brings new meaning to “your word have I hid in my heart”. What a precious memory.
Jesus inviting us to come to Him for rest in
Psalm 23 ❤️
I have to admit, reading the devotional reminds me how I am so not equipped to work in a hospital. Thinking about a bunch of people wailing in this Jamaican hospital does too much to my heart. It is so hard to watch suffering. Lord Jesus, help those in desperate need of healing and freedom from their pain. It is too much to witness, in our human frame…
@Mercy – encouraged by Laura’s words to you. May your husband find that humility can lead to his joy and freedom… I pray he is open and humble to receiving help from those who offer. Or that he just really gets honest with himself before the Lord and that the Lord prompts him in some way to find help. We are not meant to live apart from Him or His people. I pray he sees the value of fellowship. ❤️
@Julia C ❤️
I’m struggling a bit mentally, today. I honestly think it is because I haven’t had deep fellowship in a few days. The Lord has really shown me the value of community and fellowship and when I find myself going a few days without that intimacy, I start spiraling a bit. I look on social media and get so discouraged. It feels like such false connection and I am toying with the idea of deleting FB, but it is such a helpful tool in some cases (connecting with you Shes, connecting with family, marketplace…). Idk. I don’t like seeing a bunch of people live that I don’t have connection with anymore. It makes me sad. I definitely need some good fellowship, today.
My Bible study is going through Job right now. We had a new member join us for this one, and she is carrying the sorrow of losing her first grandchild at 18 months old. It has been two years, and the sadness is still so deep, so raw, so fresh. It is so hard to understand the why behind something like this, but I am grateful that Jesus gives us the rest we need for our weary souls and I pray for Shelly, that she can accept and abide in that rest.
Jesus is love. Yes, that’s true. But we often forget the harshness that He brought to His messages. The warnings and the rebukes. Jesus IS love, but not without repentance, not without surrender, not without giving up our will for His. The World hates this part of the message, and so we often bury our heads in the sand and skip over this part. We are as much to blame as they are if we do not tell the truth of the gospel. Jesus loves us and wants us to turn from our wicked ways and follow Him. Woe to those who see the miracles, hear the Truth, and reject it.
MERCY, I am continuing to pray for your husband. My husband went through depression in the last year. It was so hard on us, and he was completely in denial that he was depressed. But I knew and tried to help him in many ways (I did my best to do it with love and gentleness). But he denied that he needed help. He denied that he was depressed. It was a rough season. It took getting his brother and dad involved (and daily prayers) and he was embarrassed but did come around and now is on the road to recovery. I pray the same for you and your husband. It is a hard road to travel and as the wife, it can be so difficult to know how to handle the situation in love, without disrespecting your husband and dishonoring him. I will pray for wisdom for you and a soft heart and open mind for your husband. Sending love, dear sister.
In Matthew Jesus promises rest WHEN (not IF) we are burdened and weary, but He commands us… COME TO ME. Let us seek Him always. He always takes care of us in whatever ways He sees fit. He always gives us what we need.
And, on a related note… I love the wording for Psalm 23 in the CSB… “I have what I need.” (“I shall not want.” is the verbiage that was always in the versions I have read.)
Remember “who” we need, in addition to the “what”, sweet She’s. I find it so hard sometimes… I am probably not the only one, huh?
Jesus I need Your rest. Amen
Praying JEN B!
Oh how true and how much I needed to be reminded that the rest I need is not simply relief from my circumstances! I love KELLY (NEO)’s remark, “Jesus is my rest IN my circumstances, not from them.” Amen
If you can, I ask for prayers for me and my family as we continue in this new walk of separation (it has now been 3 months). And for my brother who is walking in addiction and now separated as well. Thank you Sisters!
MIA FAITH – continued prayers for you and your family
I smiled when I saw Psalm 23 as part of today’s reading. There is something so comforting about those familiar words learned from KJV so many years ago.
And Jesus’ words of “Come … and I will give you rest,” the ultimate comfort for all of us that are weary travelers (thank you CEE GEE ❤️ for the lyrics yesterday).
I was also drawn to Christ’s warning/rebuke of the cities that turned their back on Him. Woe to those of us in the U.S. and other places around the world where we see Christ rejected time and again. The Pilgrims came to here for many reasons but stated in the Mayflower Compact (not sure it’s even taught anymore) are the words “for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith.” Of all the countless mistakes and wrongs the U.S. has committed since inception, the turning away from the Lord overwhelmingly outweighs them all. Lord help us!
MIA FAITH – prayers continuing, sister ❤️
MERCY – ongoing prayer for you and your family
MISSY CSONKA – praying as you seek the Lord’s guidance :)
TRACI GENDRON – thank you for using your painful journey to comfort others ❤️
ADRIENNE- same here, when I hear people say they hope to get to heaven. It’s so ingrained in some minds and religions, praying the misled are open to the truth.
SHARON JERSEY GIRL – amen – “look for opportunities”
LAURA DIANNE – love “don’t steal my joy”
ERB ❤️ walking worthy!
A devotional I needed as I have felt the weariness the last few weeks with the health issues my parents and grandma are facing and the heaviness of my work. Just before this I confessed that I’ve been trying to do it in my own strength, yet God is my strength. “Suffering and sleeplessness may remain temporarily, but the burden of sin is no longer ours to carry. Jesus took that burden so we could know the kind of rest that seeps past our bones and into our weary souls.” Lord May I stop holding the burden and allow your sacrifice to seep into my weary soul!
“Somewhere along the way, John must’ve resolved that the rest he needed most was not simply relief from his circumstance.”
O, I needed that pointed out today. Jesus is my rest IN my circumstances, not from them.
ERB – loved “Lord, help us dwellin Your worthiness!! Amen!”
MERCY – ❤️
MISSY CSONKA – so excited to hear how you are growing!
TAMI C – praying your brother is a light through his treatments
CHANGED LIFE – hope y I your symptoms pass quickly
MIA FAITH – ❤️
Amen and Amen
AMEN!
Dear Father,
The sorrows and sufferings of this life make us feel so weary. But You show us that we need more than “a good night of sleep and an easy life”.
You came to give us something so much better: rest for our souls. The yoke is easy and the burden light because You wear it with us.
May we walk with you and work with you.
May we patiently wait and actively prepare ourselves for Your Kingdom.
May we make ourselves at home in Your love, keeping Your commands.
May we look at you and rest in Your grace.
AMEN.
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MERCY – Continued prayers for your husband, that he may feel the love of God and others have for him ❤️
MIA FAITH – Continued prayers for you and yours ❤️
As MICHELLE said yesterday: “I am thankful for each one of you!” ❤️
Have a blessed Wednesday!