Matthew 11:
16 “Oh, what can I compare this generation with? They’re like children sitting in the marketplaces, calling out to each other,
17 ‘We made happy music,
but you wouldn’t dance!
We made sad music,
but you wouldn’t cry!’
18 For Yochanan came, fasting, not drinking — so they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came, eating freely and drinking wine — so they say, ‘Aha! A glutton and a drunkard! A friend of tax-collectors and sinners!’ Well, the proof of wisdom is in the actions it produces.”
25 It was at that time that Yeshua said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you concealed these things from the sophisticated and educated and revealed them to ordinary folks. 26 Yes, Father, I thank you that it pleased you to do this.
27 “My Father has handed over everything to me. Indeed, no one fully knows the Son except the Father, and no one fully knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.[
Matthew 11:29 Jeremiah 6:16
] 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”[Complete Jewish Bible]
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Rest. What a fleeting aspiration. It seems like we are consistently bombarded with anxious schedules and stressful responsibilities. Even when we finally do get some rest, it seems that we are often still looking ahead to what is going to come next.
Rest has become a leading theme in my vision of the kingdom of God. Whether I am thinking about an afterlife or about salvation in the here and now, I envision it as the most restful rest we could ever find. In God's arms there is no need to worry; there is no reason to be sad or angry; there is only peace and comfort. One of the ideal functions of the church is to offer times of rest. We can find and offer rest in worship, fellowship, service and true community. With this support and love, we can let go--even if only for a moment--of our everyday burdens and just breathe, just be.
God of comfort and peace, show us your rest. Ease our minds, settle our spirits, and enlighten our faith so that we may more intensely know your salvation. Amen.
Joshua Kestner, '17
Admissions Counselor, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
Matthew 11:16 "But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,
17 "We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.'
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, "He has a demon';
19 the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, "Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds."...
25 At that time Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants;
26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
29 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.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." [New Revised Standard Version]
Rest. What a fleeting aspiration. It seems like we are consistently bombarded with anxious schedules and stressful responsibilities. Even when we finally do get some rest, it seems that we are often still looking ahead to what is going to come next.
Rest has become a leading theme in my vision of the kingdom of God. Whether I am thinking about an afterlife or about salvation in the here and now, I envision it as the most restful rest we could ever find. In God's arms there is no need to worry; there is no reason to be sad or angry; there is only peace and comfort. One of the ideal functions of the church is to offer times of rest. We can find and offer rest in worship, fellowship, service and true community. With this support and love, we can let go--even if only for a moment--of our everyday burdens and just breathe, just be.
God of comfort and peace, show us your rest. Ease our minds, settle our spirits, and enlighten our faith so that we may more intensely know your salvation. Amen.
Joshua Kestner, '17
Admissions Counselor, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
Matthew 11:16 "But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,
17 "We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.'
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, "He has a demon';
19 the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, "Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds."...
25 At that time Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants;
26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
29 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.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." [New Revised Standard Version]
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