In today’s fast-paced world, we are constantly bombarded with tasks, commitments, and pressures to do more and be more. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and spiritually drained. Yet, when we look at the life of Jesus, we see a stark contrast to our modern culture of hurry. Jesus never rushed, even though He had the most important mission on earth: to save humanity.
Jesus modeled a life of rest and peace, not frantic busyness. In fact, He regularly took time to withdraw and rest in the presence of the Father. Luke 5:16 tells us, "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Despite the demands of His ministry, Jesus made space for solitude and connection with God, showing us that rest is not just physical, but also spiritual.
One of the most profound invitations Jesus gives us is found in Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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 easy and my burden is light." Jesus understands the weight we carry, and He offers us rest for our souls—not through doing more, but through coming to Him and learning His unhurried way.
Jesus was never in a rush, even when others around Him were. For example, when Lazarus was sick, Jesus didn’t immediately run to heal him. He waited. John 11:6 says, "So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days." Jesus trusted God's timing, and in the end, God’s glory was revealed in an even greater way through the resurrection of Lazarus. His pace wasn’t dictated by urgency, but by God’s purpose.
Jesus also reminds us that our value isn’t found in our productivity. In Mark 6:31, after a long period of ministry, He told His disciples, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." This shows that rest is not only important but necessary for our well-being. Jesus cares about our souls and bodies, and He invites us to find our rest in Him.
Are you living at a hurried pace, feeling like you need to accomplish more, or are you trusting in God's timing and finding rest in Him? How can you incorporate moments of quiet, prayer, and rest in your life as Jesus did?