Commentary on "Rest and Restoration"

PHIL HARRIS

 

Day 4: Tuesday, May 11, 2010

 

Overview

Today’s lesson is centered on Matt. 11:28-30, a text we covered in yesterday’s commentary. Much of what was said in today’s lesson is good when related to our need for true rest of our souls, but certain things need to be clarified.

 

Observations

If we start at the beginning of the chapter before we move down to Matt. 11:28-30, we see that Jesus isn’t even making reference to physical rest. The theme of REPENTANCE within the framework of the gospel of Jesus Christ is what will bring rest for our souls.

Jesus offers this rest to those who are “gentle and lowly in heart”. It is God’s intention that we experience this rest but it could be better stated that we need to receive his rest.

Ultimately, the unrest of our souls is because of our sin nature. How can we find this rest that Jesus offers to us?

For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Rom. 10:13 ESV)

The salvation message is so simple even the thief hanging on a cross next to Jesus was promised a place in God’s Kingdom where he would find rest for his soul.

Our rest is centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ where he died and paid the penalty for our sins. Because of his imputed righteousness into our lives we are forgiven and declared justified in God’s sight.

Jesus’ works are perfect because he is perfect. He surrendered none of his Godly attributes during his ministry here on earth. Being God, he could never have sinned. He died for our sins because he is perfect, not to prove it.

Our deeds, even the ones we view as ‘good’, are as ‘filthy rags’ in God’s sight, whereas, God’s works are infinitely righteous far beyond any measurement. Our faith is not the measurement by which we have ‘assurance of eternal life’. The atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins along with the Seal of our salvation, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit testifies that we have assurance of eternal life. See Romans 8:31-39 and ask yourself; who can separate you from the love of God?

All the problems that plague our lives are centered on the issue of sin. When we have the rest Jesus promises for our souls, we have rest that is greater than anything this world can bring into our lives.

It is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promises that makes rest for our souls a reality, not the level of our understanding of this truth.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17 ESV)

The restoration of our souls is the atoning work of Jesus Christ. He is the one who hung on the cross, died, and paid the penalty for our sins.

 

Summary

1. The rest for our souls promised by Jesus Christ is founded upon the simple gospel message, his death, burial, resurrection and ascension into heaven where he has been seated at the right hand of the Father for close to two thousand years. When he sat down at the right hand of the Father, his atoning work was declared complete.
2. This is the foundation from which we receive rest for our souls. Because of this rest, we have assurance of our salvation and eternal life, now.
3. However, if you believe the doctrine of Investigative Judgment you can experience no part of this rest for your soul.

 

GO TO DAY 5

 

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