"Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My Yoke upon you and learn of Me for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

The Context

In a restless world, where peace talks and processes regularly evaporate and where individual "freedom" becomes unrestrained license, chaos ensues. There is one option for true rest and peace, which alone will break down the walls that separate us from our Maker and our neighbour. The rest the Lord Jesus Christ extends to all who will renounce their sinful sovereignty and bow before the Triune God through His only Begotten Son who said, "if the Son make you free you shall be free indeed."

The immediate context for considering this great invitation and command of the only King and Head of the Church to rest begins with verse 20. The Holy Spirit carefully guides Matthew to indicate that the setting of these words of our Lord's rejoicing of the Father who sovereignty reveals Himself to babes and withholds His revelation from the wise and prudent, is a context of unbelief and rejection of The Truth. Our lord had just spoken these terrible words of woe upon these cities that have seen His miracles. Had He given these very sober words to the wicked cities of Tyre and Sidon, genuine repentance would have been marked even in the hour in which our Lord ministered and so in the face of unbelief rejection and human hardness, our Lord finds comfort in the doctrine that is one of the pillars of The Faith, i.e., the doctrine of divine sovereignty and He thanks the Father that in His perfect wisdom He has hid truth from the wise and the prudent and has revealed truth unto babes and the reason He resolves unto God's sovereign good pleasure, for He says in Verse 26 "Even so Father, for so it seemed good in your sight".

Yet, immediately following that profound and beautiful statement of the fact that the ultimate issue of unbelief or the sight and faith of men is the sovereignty of God, our Lord nowhere makes this a barrier to the free offer of His mercy but actually uses it as a position from which He extends this gracious appeal, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden". Any view of the free offer of the Gospel Call which fails to take this two-fold context into consideration will land you in error. If you look upon this gospel call "Come unto Me" as though the whole issue of the salvation of sinners is ultimately resolved by the will of man, you'll emerge with a doctrine contrary to Scripture. This gospel call is nestled in the context of our Lord's rejoicing in the Father's divine sovereignty which to some reveals truth and to others hides truth. Conversely, if we confess with the loudest confession our belief in that doctrine of divine sovereignty and find some problem with extending the free, general gospel offer of mercy, then we do not understand that truth as our Lord did. Therefore, taking this call in its total context will keep us from the doctrinal and pastoral errors of an alleged freewill on one hand and the terrible curse of a paralyzing Hyper-Calvinism on the other hand. The church has vacillated between these two errors through the centuries.

The focus of our study here then is upon the gracious call of Christ beginning with verse 28, "Come unto me all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Consider with me first of all, the People addressed in this command. Some commands of Scripture are indiscriminately extended to all people regardless of their condition. For example, we read that God commands all men everywhere to repent whether they have reputation of being a paragon of virtue in the community or they're the town drunk. However, this call applies to a very specific category of people described as "labouring" and "heavy laden". The word "labour means "to toil unto weariness and pain". The category "heavy laden" refers to those who are encumbered with a crushing weight that bends them over, almost pressing them to the ground. These concepts were very vivid in the minds of those to whom Jesus spoke. This was a day when men worked from sun-up to sun- down. People knew what it was to be out in the burning noon day sun and to labour unto pain beneath the heat of that sun and not to quit their fields and lay down their sickles until the darkness made it impossible for them to labour anymore. This was a day before mini buses. pick-up trucks and fork- lifts as a means to convey burdens. Often a man had to carry 300 or 400 pounds on his back and frequently be stooped under this crushing burden. This word picture to vividly describes all who feel the active and passive effects of sin in their own hearts and lives.

Consider with me certain aspects of sin. First, the Lord calls to Himself those who labour and are heavy laden beneath the guilt of sin. The accusations of a condemned conscience lash and scourge a person holding over him the fear of death and the thought of impending judgement, the awefulness of hell and the terrors of the damned. What greater burden is there than to be bent down with a sense of impending wrath? The Book of Hebrews describes it this way "a fearful expectation of judgement and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries." Multitudes labour with all their might to bring peace to their lives. They pray. They attend a Church. They even read Scripture They try to lead a good life. They attempt to "whistle and smile in the face of difficulties" but it's a drag, not a delight. It is toil unto weariness and pain and Jesus words are addressed to all who labour and are heavy laden with the guilt of sin. Secondly, He speaks to all who labour under the bondage of sin. We read in Proverbs 5:22, "His own iniquities entrap the wicked and he is caught in the cords of his own sin". What a heavy picture! Jesus said, (John 8:34), "he who commits sin is the bondslave of sin." It's not so much the future punishment of sin that makes one weary here, as it is the present bondage of sin and many have said, 'Oh that I could look back to that time in my life when I wasn't hooked on and held captive to this passion, this lust, this attitude or fear. It would be great if I could somehow get free of this bondage and heavy-duty burden.' I've tried vows, resolutions, personal improvement techniques, courses on self management and nothing works! To all such command comes, " ALL who labour and are heavy laden "COME UNTO ME", whether it's under the terrible lash of the guilt of sin, the oppressive bondage of the power of sin or the confusion and hopelessness of sin. The problem here is not that they are savingly convinced that they offend God, they aren't aware of that. Rather it is the hopelessness and confusion which sin has brought to their life. Here they are with just a few short years to live and like all who have gone before them, they are heading for the grave. What is life all about? What am I here for? Is there any meaning to life? Is there a God? If so how do I know Him? Life's most basic questions. In this pluralistic milieu of perplexing opinions, how do we know what is true? Listen to a confused, unbelieving, but gifted and sensitive poet expressing his hopelessness and confusion:

"When I was a lad simple notions I had
There was wrong, there was right
It was plain as black and white
Ah, but now I'm grown, in a world on my own
The scenes I survey show nothing but grey

I looked around for the bright spots
The lights that would lead me ahead
I must not have looked in the right spots
Nothing bright, nothing gay,
Just a muddy old world of grey

Ah - but now I'm a man
And at crossroads I stand
Confronted with doubt
and all turned about.
At night in my sleep, I hear voices.
I'm never quite certain what's said.
They offer me too many choices:
There's no black. There's no white.
Where is wrong? Where is Right?
I'm confused and unable to say;
How does a man find his way
In a world full of grey?"

Here's a man labouring for answers and there are none. He is heavy-Iaden with the sense of hopelessness and confusion which has driven multitudes to drugs, illicit sex, new age philosophies, false mysticism or the emptiness of external man-made religion. Several commentators believe this is the primary reference of Jesus words, "weighed down" and "heavy laden". The only other use in the Bible of these words is found in Luke 11:46 where Jesus indicts the Pharisees saying to them, "you bind burdens upon men too heavy to bear" and the context reveals that it was all the trappings of external man-made religion, form, legalism and ceremony. Such religious business occupies the time and energy of multitudes who seek to find acceptance with God and peace of mind with their efforts. NO! These attempts bring nothing but labour unto toil, boredom, weariness and oppression and the Lord addresses all such today who are trying to do doing their duty 'cause, jest can't miss going to church on Sunday 'cause Sunday's not the same when you miss church!' But there isn't one ounce of enjoyment in their empty attempt to feel good.

Notice the command that Jesus gives them. It is "Come unto Me". The most important word of this command-call is not the word "Come" but the word "Me" For this command is meaningless if we divorce it from the identity of the person who spoke those words. The meaning of these words and their fulfillment is entirely dependent upon the greatness of the One who utters them. Who is it that makes such claims that in Him alone the problem of guilt, of bondage, the problem of confusion and of empty external religion can be resolved? That's quite a claim! Ah! But that's the secret: We must never divorce these gracious words of command from the person who made them. So our first consideration of this command is the identity of the person who issued the command. Who is the "Me" ? Well, we are told in verse 27 that He is no less than God Incarnate. Notice His claim: "All things have been delivered to Me by My Father and no one knows the Son except the Father . Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son". What a claim! Jesus says that His person is such that no one can fully comprehend who He is but the Father Himself. It takes God to fully comprehend God. Can you imagine an angel saying, 'no one knows me except another angel'? But the God who made angels knows angels completely. We don't know all about angels but there isn't a thing that God doesn't know about angels -He created them. But the Lord Jesus said, "no one knows the Son except the Father". Why? "For great is the mystery of Godliness, God was manifested in the flesh" and in the mystery of the true Deity and true Humanity of Christ fused in one person saving faith gazes baffled before Him singing with Charles Wesley, veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hail th' Incarnate Deity". Who, but God Himself, can comprehend God and Man joined together in one person forever? "No one knows the Father but the Son". So the words of this command come from God Incarnate. Secondly, they come from one who is the appointed mediator between God and man. Notice His words, "All things have been delivered to me by My Father ." The most appropriate commentary on this verse is John 17, where the Lord Jesus makes it clear that this giving of authority is for the performance of His role as a mediator. Listen to His words, John 17:1,2, "Holy Father, the hour has come, glorify your Son that your Son may also glorify you. As you have given Him authority over all flesh that He should give eternal life to as many as you have given Him." Who speaks these words "Come unto Me". It is God incarnate as the only appointed mediator between God and man. The only way to God is Jesus Christ. "There is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus." So when we consider these words, "Come unto me" we must not put them into this context -'Well, I've tried this. I've tried that. Now I'll try Jesus and if that doesn't work I'll try something else. Oh No! He who speaks them says, "All things have been delivered to Me by My Father." The grace of God in this gospel call is sovereign and irresistible from a redeeming Christ whose love never fails. " All that the Father gives to me, Jesus said, shall come unto Me." (John 6:37) No one comes to the Father apart from the effectual call and command of this sovereign mediator who is long-suffering to all His purchased possession, not willing that any should perish. Not only is Jesus the incarnate God and appointed mediator but He is the exclusive revealer of God. Notice also this final statement in Verse 27, "Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal him." It is only as the Lord Jesus Christ exercises His office as a sovereign mediator revealing the Father than anyone can know God. That's why Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man comes to the Father but by Me." Not but Allah, or Confucius or Buddha, but Christ alone brings us to God. You must have Christ in all the exclusiveness of His claims or you have him not at all. John 1: 18 says, "No man has seen God at any time. The only begotten of the Father, he has revealed Him." Now, when you put these of command "Come unto me" in that context you see the weight and power with which they come. This is God incarnate, the only mediator between God and man; the only revealer of God speaking. And what is the substance of this . command and call? Its is "come unto Me". The word "come" is a synonym for "believe", "trust", "commit". The word "Come" and "Believe" are used interchangeably in John 6:35, allowing Scripture to be its own infallible interpreter. Jesus said, (John 6:35) "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger and he who believes in me shall never thirst." What is it to believe? It is to come. What is it to come? It is to believe. So what does our Lord do? He calls upon all who labour and are heavy-Iaden to believe on Him. To come to Him. To let the weight of their need be cast on this unique God-man; the only appointed mediator; the only revealer of God. Why does he command all to come to Himself? Because He alone is suited to meet those needs which cause us to labour and be heavy-Iaden. Why? Because he is the appointed Lamb of God to bear away the sin of the world. It was He who went to the cross and exposed Himself to the wrath of His Father until the billows of that wrath funneled down upon His holy head and caused Him to cry out in total and perfect agony "MY God, MY God, why has Thou forsaken Me?" He does not call us to some philosophy of life or way of life because none no philosophy hung in agony in blood! He poured out His soul unto death having carried the weight and guilt of sin. And is able to bring to peace and rest in His wounds and suffering all who are burdened or even tormented with a nagging conscience.

He has sent the Holy Spirit in the plentitude and power and grace that breaks the bondage of sin. Acts 5:31 says, "God has appointed Him to be Prince and a Saviour for to give repentance and remission of sin." He is declared to have been exalted and all things in the entire universe are put under His feet for the sake of the church (Ephesians 1:21-23). He is able to break the power of cancelled sin and set the prisoner free. Is it that you are heavy-Iaden with the hopelessness and confusion of unbeliefl The reason why He says "come unto me is because He said, "1 am the light of the world, he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness." Life's ultimate answer is found only in Him "who has been made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption." Well, He not only delineates these to whom he speaks, He gives a gracious command. But notice thirdly the promise He gives. To all those who labour and are heavy-Iaden He promises "rest for their souls." The word "rest" means no more toiling under the crushing weight of guilt, bondage and confusion of sin and unbelief. Notice the certainty of the promise "Come unto me and you shall find rest." God incarnate is speaking, the God of whom Scripture says cannot lie. This is why it's so important that we pause and think of who speaks these words. For if I'm not certain that these are the words of infallible and unerring certainty how do I know if they would be fulfilled? How can I know that the root cause which produces in me, bondage, uncertainly and confusion will be released if I come? Well, the promise is certain because He who makes this promise is the God who cannot lie. If you have no soul rest yet and your conscience is tormented by the terrors of a broken law and the fear of death, it's because you haven't come to Christ because He says in coming you find rest. The promise doesn't end with Verse 28, "Come unto Me", for He goes on to show us what true, saving faith is. Notice: "Take My yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart and you shall find rest for your souls for my yoke is easy and My burden is light." Faith is not a matter of "trying Jesus" such as you try, drugs, or New-age mysticism, or pleasure. Preaching the Gospel is not an invitation to make a decision for Christ or to open your heart and let Jesus come into your heart as you accept Him as your personal Saviour. There is no take it or leave it gospel in the Scriptures. This is a command, a Divine summons, repent and believe, and bow down before Him who is displayed as one "in whom alone are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge and who rules over the entire created order for the sake of the Church. This is a call that sets forth the sinner's duty, i.e., what they aught to do with the gospel.

This is a serious gospel call, not because God desires the salvation of all, or because men have freewill to accept or reject the gospel, both of which are false positions. But because God is a holy God who has no pleasure in the death of the sinner but rather that the sinner would turn from his way, flee from the wrath to come, and find salvation and shelter in the wounds of Jesus. The fact that men, who are by nature dead in trespasses and sins and therefore cannot obey this demand doesn't change the righteous, sincere, free offer to "receive and rest upon the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation as he is offered to us in the gospel". It obligates every creature created in His image, who hear the gospel which enables them to comprehend the mercy of God in Christ "to turn with grief and hatred of His sin unto God with full purpose of and endeavour after new obedience" (Shorter Cat. Q 86,87). It is pleasing to God that all who are called should come unto Him and in this command the Lord states what the implications of coming to Him always means taking His yoke upon you. That means utter submission to His person and "learn of Me", utter submission to His truth. Then and only then will you find rest for your soul. We can't bargain with Christ. When you are looking to buy a home and the vendor puts an ad for $100, 000.00 firm, he is saying there is no dickering. The price is fixed and the conditions are set. Meet the conditions or no house. The Son of God also lists here the fixed conditions of truly coming to Christ. Here they are; "Take My yoke upon you", unreserved commitment to His person. What is yoke? It is an instrument which binds two animals together that they might plow the same furrow, move in the same direction with an identity of will, effort, labour and purpose. Jesus Christ says come for rest, not for freedom from all restraint and obligation but freedom from the tyranny of sin unto the restful liberty of a bondslave of Christ. That's freedom! Freedom for a bird is freedom to do what a bird is created to do -fly in the air. Freedom for a man is to be what he was created to be -a servant of Christ doing the will of God from the heart.

Until we are what we were made to be and until the will of the Lord is precious to us and following Him the pre-eminent delight of our hearts, we are not yet what we were created to be. "Come, Take MY yoke, " Jesus says, which means utter resignation to His person and absolute submission to His truth. "learn of Me and lest anyone should say they have plenty of burdens already and here the Lord calls me to another burden, He says, "for MY yoke is easy and My burden is light.". This gracious command is held before every burdened sinner with an encouraging word of exchanging heavy-burdens for Christ's light one, and the slavery of sin for the freedom of His Yoke thus it eliminates every last and lame excuse from coming to Him. Coming to Christ means coming to Him as our rest, our ruler, as our teacher. It means coming to Him as our great high Priest who bore our sins and gives us help in the time of our need. It means coming to Him as our ruling King and as the only true prophet. Here in this text the Lord Jesus Christ is set before us as the only mediator appointed by the Father, the only Revealer of God who exercises His work of revealing and mediation as a prophet, priest and King. HE ALONE calls needy, lost sinners to cast themselves upon Him with the assurance that they will find rest for their souls. When we come unto Him that way we can sing Augustus Toplady's great hymn with joy:

"Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy Cross I cling.
Naked come to Thee for dress.
Helpless look to Thee for grace.
Foul I to the Fountain fly.
Wash me Saviour or I die."

Every hopeless and lost sinner in this restless world, who comes to Him that way, will find Him to be true to His promise. We have but to believe on Him, yielding ourselves unreservedly to Him and begin to make Him our only boast here and now in order to enter that assured and treasured rest.