Matthew 11:25-30
“When life’s troubles rise to meet me. Though their weight may be
great, they will not defeat me. God, my loving Savior sends them. He who knows,
all my woes, knows how best to end them. - Why should cross or trial grieve me
- stanza two
What Jesus offers is peace. It’s
more than a feeling. It’s a state of being. A commodity many are willing to pay
any price to obtain. “Aint no mountain high enough…aint no valley low enough…” for
us to yearn, to strive, to struggle - to achieve it.
Where do we find this peace?
Christ our Savior has promised to give us His abiding peace. So look to Jesus.
And to the places where He can be found.
As John has reminds us in his gospel, Jesus said, “Peace I give you, My
peace I leave you. Not as the world gives it do I give to you.” - John 14:27
No wonder we pray in the collect for peace, “…give us that peace which the world simply
cannot give.” In our Gospel reading for today, Jesus promises that His peace may be
yours.
Jesus says, “Come to Me.” He is gentle and lowly in heart. Gentle does not mean
“weak.” He took your cares, concerns,
and burdens. “Surely he hath borne our
griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of
God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised
for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his
stripes we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:4-5
You will find rest for your soul.
Rest because you are in Him. From the heavy burden of sin that you've been
carrying. Find your rest in Him. The
Lord offers you a trade; His yoke, which is easy and light. Jesus lifts your
burden, by carrying it Himself. The load
of your sin He bore in His body to the cruel cross of Calvary. There He offers
you that great exchange; His mercy and grace replaces the burden you’ve been
carrying. He became your substitute. He
lived a perfect life for you. He died a sinner’s death for you. He rose to life and replaces you former life
with His life. Now His Spirit directs you. The life you live you live for Him.
In this world there continues to
be contention and strife. “Come unto Me
all those who are carrying heavy burdens.” (v.18) Jesus offers true and
lasting peace to all who could come to Him in faith. Jesus Christ alone is the
source of your peace. Jesus’ prayer at the cross needs to be your prayer, this
day. “Father, into Thy hands I commend
myself…”May Christ’s peace be yours this day.
Collect for Proper 9 –Gracious
God, our heavenly Father, Your mercy attends us all our days. Be our strength
and support amid the wearisome changes of this world, and at life’s end grant
us Your promised rest and the full joys of Your salvation; through Jesus
Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Almighty and everlasting God, through Your Son You have promised us
forgiveness of sin and everlasting life. Govern our hearts by Your Holy Spirit,
that in our daily need, and especially in all time of temptation, we may seek
Your help and by a true and lively faith in Your Word, obtain all that You
promised! Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Luther's Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
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