Matthew 11:28

1)            It is quite easy to come into the understanding of the true personage of Jesus Christ. The entire Bible is the revelation of Jesus Christ, the Second Member of the Godhead. One of the several verses that points to His Personage is revealed when Jesus says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Let us treat this verse exegetically. The word ‘come’, deute (d̮yoo’-teh), is ‘an imperative “come here”!’ The next word I want to look at, ‘labour,’ is kopiao (ko-piy-aō’): ‘1. to feel fatigue. 2. (by implication) to work hard.’ Then we have ‘heavy laden’ which is one Greek word phortizo (for-tid’-zō): ‘1. (properly) to load up (a vessel or animal). 2. (figuratively) to overburden with ceremony (or spiritual anxiety).’ The last word for exegetical understanding is ‘rest’ which in Greek is anapauo (a-na-pav’-ō): ‘1. (reflexively) to repose, to rest. 2. (literally or figuratively) to be exempt, to remain. 3. (by implication) to refresh.’ Interestingly, the word ‘give’ is also anapauo, the same as ‘rest’. God, Who is never verbose, is laying stress on anapauo. “I will anapauo you anapauo” is categorically the eternally tamperproof rest of Divinity which the LORD God is offering to whoever accepts the “Come unto Me” invitation. Hallelujah!

                The ‘labour’ and the ‘heavy laden’ stance, to His Jewry attenders, are everyday toils of sacrificial ritualism. The New Testamentary order of spiritual rapport with the heavenly Father was about to change, and Christ, in Whose name prayers must be offered, is seen here providing an intimation of the new and Living way to the Eternal Father. They toiled to raise enough money to purchase the sacrificial elements. They walked long distances after which they had to queue patiently for their turns for the priests to attend to them. The whole process could be really tiresome.

                This is a spiritual matter. We do understand that only God gives rest; and when the said rest is especially spiritual, it makes it more unattributable to an angel or a human. If Jesus promises to give this rest, for the soul of man, then, this verse proves the facticity of His Divinity! What is Jesus Christ telling us here? “I am your sacrifice. Come to Me, if you need true salvation from your Adamic sinfulness. Get used to the One who took Israel out of the Egyptian bondage. I have come that you may have life, life in abundance!”

                Of Matthew 11:28 “Come unto Me:” I agree with R. May that: 1. The invitation is condescending. 2. It is extensive and unconditional. III. The promise annexed. 1. Rest in your conscience from the dread of Divine wrath. 2. Rest in the will from its former corrupt propensities. 3. Heavenly rest for the people of God. (R May). The Greek deute, an imperative “Come!” makes the invitation condescending indeed. The utterance of “come” comes from the lips of the Saviour, Lord of lords and King of kings, the Almighty. Salvation is a must, ergo, a command. The “Come unto Me” involves every Adamic creature. All have sinned and come short of God’s glory, and for this reason it remains a categorical injunction for as many as would desire to be saved. It is a promise that extends to all mankind: young, old, great, small, rich, poor, the Caucasian, African, yellow and red skinned races.

                These words of Jesus offer divine tranquility to the soul of every person that believes and receives Jesus as Lord and Saviour: for in Him alone salvation comes to its consummation. Anyone who finds himself in Christ becomes a new creature because His blood washes so clean that one remains eternally clean before the thrice holy God; and will never come to any divine condemnation. Eternal bliss of heaven is the main reason for coming to Jesus. 

He is our Living Food (John 6:51-58).

                Religious ritualism, in actual fact, points to Jesus that takes away the sins of the world. Those who deal with the shadow of who they want to meet will definitely look like crazy idiots. The shadow does not have intelligence. The rituals of the Jerusalem Temple must come to an end when the One to whom those things truly represent manifests. The manifestation of the Second Member of the Godhead renders all religious toils absolutely obsolete in uselessness. Amen.

                Jesus made mention of so many things to prove His divine nature. John 6:35 “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” This verse leaves none in doubt of Christ’s Divinity. Bread and water as common a need for humanity, does not constitute a negligible commonality. It represents food for growth and replenishment for the outward wellbeing and inner spiritual salubrity. Only the Being of Divinity maintains spiritual wellbeing. Jesus is not just physical hunger assuaging dough; He is our Living Food.

                Jesus will give you rest only if you will receive His life. Get born again. Say this simple prayer:

 “Dear heavenly Father, I come to You now in the name of Jesus Christ. I believe in my heart that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sin. I believe that You raised Him from the dead. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and I receive Him now as my Lord and my Saviour. I give God all the glory. Amen!” 

  (…to be continued…)

Read part 2 here

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