Text: Matthew 11:1-30
In this brief passage Jesus speaks to His disciples about salvation. Because they are Jews, they naturally will have the wrong idea that most Jews have, which is that the many laws given through Moses must be obeyed in order for a person to have eternal life. Of course, God’s laws must be obeyed, but law-obedience cannot give salvation (Rom.3:20). That is because humans are naturally unable to obey God, we are anti-God by nature (Eph.2:3c). But people will always think law-obedience gives salvation, because everything else in life operates that way, “Do this and get that” we think. “Obey God and get heaven” we naturally think. But that is not correct.
Some people who live that way will realize that law-obedience is a huge burden, because (if they are honest with themselves) they will admit they cannot keep God’s law and they are afraid of His judgment. Jesus says, if we recognize the impossibility of law-keeping, then stop trying, go to Him, and rest. Jesus will do the work of law-keeping for you. By trusting Jesus to do everything necessary for salvation, you are pleasing God and you are acceptable to Him. Does this mean we can live like the Devil? No! Now we obey from love and gratitude.
How does that apply to your job? Do nothing? Of course not. God expects you to work diligently, from the heart, with the abilities He has given to you. Only that this kind of work will be accepted by Him as worship.
Meditate on verses 28-30. How are you going to apply it to your life?
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, lead me to Yourself so that I will find rest
in You. Amen.