The word rendered “rest” in Mattew 11:28 is not the same as in Hebrews 4:99There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. (Hebrews 4:9). Our Lord says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
This is rest of conscience – rest as to our sins, our guilt, our responsibilities as sinners – rest as to everything which might raise a question between our souls and God. But further He says,
“Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest.”
This is rest of heart, as regards our present path – our circumstances, our cares and anxieties, our difficulties and trials. This rest is the opposite of restlessness, and flows from our being subject, in all things, to the will of God, as our blessed Lord was perfectly. He could say, “I thank Thee, Father,” when everything seemed to be against Him. “Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight.” And when we can say with all the heart, “Thy will be done. O Lord,” then we “find rest.” If our will is active, we are restless; if our will is subject we have rest sweet rest – rest of heart – the peace of God which passeth all understanding. Precious portion!
“There remaineth a sabbath-keeping for the people of God.” (Heb. 4:99There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. (Hebrews 4:9)). This is the future rest, the rest of glory to which we are on our way. It is God’s rest into which He will, blessed be His name, conduct us when all our wilderness toil is over. The Epistle to the Hebrews presents the people of God as pilgrims on their way to rest, and it exhorts them to labor to enter into that rest.
The sinner is not told to labor for rest, but the Christian is. This makes all the difference.