What Matthew 11:28 Teaches Us About Rest
In our March monthly staff meeting, our team took time to reflect and study Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Jesus’ promise in this verse is profound. You’ll notice that he doesn't say, “Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you solutions,” or “...the strength to push through.” He offers us rest.
The type of rest Jesus offers us here goes beyond just physical rest (though that is still very important). He also offers us spiritual rest. But what does that mean, and how can you get better at both?
Spiritual Rest
Spiritual rest can be hard to recognize until we’re burnt out and exhausted. It’s easy to convince ourselves that if we just push through, work a little harder or cross off just one more thing from our to-do list then we’ll be okay. But spiritual rest is the antithesis to this mindset. It runs deeper; it means relying on God for sustainment. Spiritual rest means laying down our burdens and it means relying on God for sustainment. Spiritual rest is about laying down our burdens and resting in the deep peace that only He can provide.
Matthew 11:28-30 has a lot to teach us about spiritual rest. If we keep reading, Jesus also says:
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.
A yoke is a heavy wooden harness that fits over the shoulders of an ox and connects to a heavy piece of equipment that the ox is designed to pull. The yoke is the ox’s tool for working hard. Jesus never promises to remove the yoke. He doesn’t promise us a life without hardship or work. Instead, Jesus says “Take My yoke upon you.” This means he is offering to share our yoke. He is offering us partnership with Him. He allows us to place the weight of our yolk on stronger shoulders than our own. Someone far more powerful and steadfast than us is up front, leading the team.
This passage calls us to surrender the false idea that we have the strength to carry our yoke alone. What yoke are you carrying that you need to surrender? Maybe it’s the weight of sin, circumstances beyond your control, or weariness. Jesus is ready and willing to carry your yoke. Spiritual rest requires surrender and partnership with Him.
Verse in action
The question now is: how can I put this verse into action? Before we can do anything, we must identify what yoke we are unnecessarily carrying. Here are some ideas:
Be curious about what yoke you’re carrying that you need to surrender to God. What does it look like? What does it feel like?
Spend time with the Lord, through prayer or Scripture meditation. Reflect on this verse and practice meditative prayer, repeating the words while focusing on your breath.
Challenge yourself to take a phone fast. Even if it’s just for a few hours, you may be surprised by the freedom you feel when you don’t have the world in your hands.
Physical Rest
I’d be remiss if I wrote a blog post about rest and didn’t include physical rest. Our spiritual health and physical well-being are deeply intertwined. Physical rest is one of the ways we honor and steward the body God designed for us. From a mental health perspective, adequate physical rest is vital. Sleep restores brain function, regulates mood, and strengthens emotional resilience. When we skip rest, our anxiety rises, our motivation dips, and our ability to cope with stress declines. Just as Jesus invites us to find rest for our souls, He also calls us to care for the body that houses that soul.
Consider implementing these practical sleep hygiene tips:
Maintain bedroom boundaries: Use your bedroom for sleep only. This helps create a strong association between your bed and rest.
Cool down: research suggests that the optimal temperature for sleep is around 65–68°F.
Keep a consistent routine, even on weekends: While it’s tempting to stay up late and sleep in, try to maintain a steady schedule. Consistency helps regulate your body’s circadian rhythm.
As we move through our busy days, may we remember that true rest isn’t found in doing less but in drawing nearer to the One who carries our burdens with us.
Cory Fuemmeler, LPC
