One On One: 100 Days With Jesus--Ministry YearsSample

Come: The One who will give you rest

It could have happened on a hot day in Jerusalem.

Jesus was teaching somewhere on Temple Mount; His disciples hanging on every word. A crowd listened in to His unique take on truth they’ve long heard, but never really understood. Now they get it.

Out of this intense mix of people, some accepting Jesus, others not, a toddler breaks loose from his parents. His parents so caught up in Jesus’ words they don’t notice their boy has wandered off.

But the boy knows where he’s going—right to the Teacher’s side. The parents are aghast, “Micah! Come back here!” The disciples rush to shoo the kid away. Jesus calms them both.

Let him come. Such is the kingdom of heaven. And He lifts the boy, Micah, onto His knee and continues to teach.

At first, Micah plays with the fringe on Jesus’ prayer shawl. Then he leans back on Jesus’ chest and in the shade of the tree and the comfort of His voice, Micah falls asleep.

Perhaps Jesus looked down and smiled. Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden Your ways from those who think they know it all and revealed them to little children. Yes, that’s the way You like to work.

And looking up to the crowd He said, Are you worn out like this little one? Weary of a religion that keeps demanding more and giving less? Come to Me and I’ll show you how to really rest. He gets up and returns the sleeping boy to his father’s arms. Walk with Me and watch how I do it. I won’t lay anything too heavy on you. My yoke is easy.

His offer still stands today. If He commands you to rest; He’ll show you how.

What does Jesus’ rest look like in your life?

When you rest from work, you trust God to make up for the time you refrain from producing. You trust Him to provide for you as you choose not to provide for yourself.

When you rest from worry, you remind yourself that your life belongs to God and you live for Him. He will take that anxiety and refresh you instead.

When you rest from accomplishment, you yield to Him life’s lesser things and invite Him to order your days. Only then will your life take the shape its meant to have.

With God, let all things begin. With God, let all things rest.

Tomorrow: One on one with Jesus and His other disciples.