October 31, 2014
How do we make sense of the fact that on the one hand, Jesus says that if any wishes to follow him he must take up his cross daily (Matt 16:2), and on the other hand he says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28–30)? In other words, how do we reconcile the two realities that the Christian life is one of discipline (work, striving, and even at times agony) and at the same time one of eternal rest?
I think the answer lies in the reality that the Kingdom of God is both now and not yet.
Let me explain.
The scriptures have quite a bit to say about rest. The Old Testament in particular, especially the Torah, puts heavy emphasis on Sabbath observance and Jewish calendar festivals. For a people with a history of grueling slave labor this is wonderful news! The Sabbath was so important that its violation was enough to result in exile from the Promised Land. God didn’t ask them to rest, he commanded them to rest.
But again, the question is why?.
The Christian life is one of discipline, namely, practicing the spiritual disciplines, and shaping and forming old sinful habits into the way of the New Life, namely, loving our enemies. Not only this, but Jesus himself lived his life on earth constantly pointing to the great moment of redemption: his suffering and death. Even in his prayer in the garden just before his suffering and crucifixion, we see Jesus’ agony through his heartfelt prayers and tears—a time where Jesus asked, “Father if your willing, take this cup from me!” (Luke 22:42). I can’t tell you how many times I’ve prayed that prayer as a missionary in Haiti, struggling with the heat, being separated from my family, and overwhelmed with ministry. The Christian life is hard and Christian service is even harder! … and this is where the concept of rest is situated.
You see, the command to rest is intended to remind us that our suffering in ministry, our discipleship, our lives of practicing the spiritual disciplines and suffering the for the salvation of others must be carried out while keeping in mind that an eternity of paradise awaits us. We suffer, we minister, we work and we strive, knowing that one day we will be with Jesus in paradise. Compared to eternity in paradise, the life of suffering is merely a blink. The fasting, the praying, the persecution, it is so brief compared to our life of glory with the Father.
The Sabbath and the Festivals serve to remind us of this. They remind us that yes, while we suffer today as we live in an age where the Kingdom of God has yet to come in its fullness, we await a brighter day of God’s final salvation and eternal rest in and through Jesus.
Take up your cross today, because the days are coming when our suffering for the salvation of the world will be an eternity behind us. You have one chance to suffer for the good of the world and an eternity in paradise.
