The Freedom to Rest ~ Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 ~ July 3, 2011

 If you were to ask me what I love most about the fourth of July,

I wouldn't say "fireworks..."

I wouldn't say "backyard barbecues..."

I wouldn't say "carnivals or parades."

Now don’t get me wrong—I love fireworks and barbecues.  But what I love most about July fourth is that it's one of a few days that most working people take the time to have fun; and be with friends and family.  July 4^th brings us one more day of much-needed rest—and all of us need rest. 

As Americans, we believe living the American dream is the reward for hard work and dedication.  So we work hard—and push ourselves to the limits, believing that we can bring the American dream within our reach.  Our young people are being pushed harder and harder to earn good grades, hold part-time jobs, and succeed in sports, the arts, and community service.  But for many of us, we do all the hard work we can handle and still struggle to make ends meet. 

It seems as though life in these United States is not permitting us the simple freedom to rest and take the time to enjoy the freedoms that we are so blessed to have.   We are a people burdened with many obligations and many commitments.  I'm not saying that we shouldn't work hard or strive with all our might to achieve our God-given potential and provide the best possible future for ourselves and our children.  But at what point does all of our work and all of our busyness begin to harm us?  Are we pushing God out of our lives because there simply isn't time?

To what would Jesus compare our generation?

God has blessed us to live in the United States to enjoy the freedom to worship and share our faith with others without fear of persecution.  The tragedy of our generation is that people everywhere are not experiencing the rest of Jesus Christ—and I’m speaking for Christians and non-Christians alike.  Some people simply choose not to receive Christ’s rest.  They choose to do other things instead of praying and being involved in the church.  There are other things that are taking precedence over living in relationship with God and God’s people.  But some people are so heavily burdened with commitments and obligations that finding time even to eat and sleep is a daily challenge.  So many people work long hours or in multiple jobs to make ends meet.  Many must care for children.  Some must care for sick or aging loved ones.  How sad it is when people say “rest is a luxury I cannot afford.” 

As one who bore the burden of our sin on the cross, Jesus knows the burdens we carry.  He knows what it’s like to be weighed-down.  Jesus invites us to receive his rest because he knows how badly we need it.  And all throughout the Four Gospels, Jesus rests.  Even though he was God, he was human—and he had human limitations.  God had placed on him the burden of dying for the salvation of the world—so he rested in order to be able to carry that burden.  He went off by himself to pray.  He spent time with his heavenly Father.  And Jesus slept. 

God has places burdens on us—burdens called vocations.  We are called to be spouses, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends.  We are called to serve Christ in our jobs and among our neighbors.  But God did not place these burdens upon us to weigh us down.  God gave us vocations so that the love of Christ can shine through us in our everyday lives.  But our lives must first be built on the foundation of rest—for it is our resting in Jesus Christ that will shape how we live as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Rest is not a luxury we can do without.  It’s a necessity that we can’t live without.  Jesus promises rest to everybody—especially those who are so heavy-burdened that they struggle just to make it through the day.  We need rest so that we can give the very best of ourselves in our vocations and to those who depend on us.  But for the Christian, we need rest so that we can experience the presence of God.  God is with us always—even when we’re busy.  But it is in rest that we can be fully present with the God who is fully present with us.  It is only in the ceasing of the day-to-day rush that we can experience the peace and stillness of God.  It is only in ceasing that we can offer God our worries, our sorrows, our confessions, and our praises.  It is only in ceasing that we can concentrate our mind and our will upon God as the Spirit speaks to us in Scripture, in Sacrament, in prayer, and in other people.  It is only in ceasing that we can be aware of the works of God’s hand all around us.  When we cease and take time to rest, we can see God at work in creation.  We can see God at work in other people’s lives.  We can see God at work in our own lives, in all of the daily blessings we are provided. 

And Jesus loves us so much that he doesn’t wait for us to find the time to turn to him.  If it were up to us to come to Jesus for rest, we would probably never come.  Jesus breaks into our hectic lives and our busy schedules to bring us to his rest.  Jesus comes to take into his hands every burden you carry, and give you his light and easy yoke.  His is a yoke of belonging.  His is a yoke that brings comfort, healing, strength, and forgiveness…  His is a yoke that restores us when we are weary and feel like we can’t go on.  His yoke is one that gives us strength to say “no” to those burdens that stand in the way of your living in his rest.  If you are not finding rest and time to be in the presence of God, pray to God for that rest.  Beg for it—because Jesus has promised it to you, you will receive it. 

We are a congregation of Jesus Christ today so that you and people all throughout this community and this world can enter into the rest of Jesus Christ.  We’re here so that those who are wearied by the changes and challenges of life can know the rest of Christ that is hope.  We’re here so that those who are burdened by the fear and terror of their own sin can know the rest of Christ that is his forgiveness.  We’re here to give rest to the poor and the hungry.  And we’re here so that everyone can receive the all-surpassing rest of Jesus Christ that lasts into eternity.

Rest is not a luxury you can do without; it’s a necessity that you can’t live without.  It’s not a privilege for a fortunate few; it’s a command to everyone.  We cannot live without God—and thus we cannot live without rest.  Rest is the foundation of a life lived in Jesus Christ.  It is only in rest that we can be refreshed and re-charged to live faithfully as disciples.  It is in our resting that we receive God’s grace and strength that will uplift and sustain us in all our labors and all our trials.