We Can Take Our Rest

Did you know that there is a difference between sleep and rest?  Sleep is when we lose consciousness so that our bodies can do maintenance and make repairs.  It is necessary to sustain our lives.   On the other hand, rest occurs when we are awake and it is defined in the scriptures as the enjoyment of peace and freedom from worry and turmoil. Many in our modern world can’t find rest.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to ‘tarry ye here, and watch with me.’ (Matt 26:38)  In other words, he asked them to stay near and to stay alert.  Then he went a little way off to pray and take upon himself all the sins of mankind which caused him to suffer in great pain.   Despite the magnitude of this difficult and great event, his apostles and friends fell asleep. They were completely unaware of the scope and magnitude of his universal gift and sacrifice for mankind even as it transpired. When Jesus found them sleeping, he reminded them gently to please watch and stay awake.  He further counseled them that “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  This pattern continued and when he found them sleeping for the third time, he finally told them, ‘Sleep on now, and take your rest;  It is enough.’

He had done enough. This was the moment when mankind was given the gift of rest that only our Savior can offer. The rest from our worries of eternal separation from God due to our sins. In Gethsemane, Christ’s atoning blood fulfilled the laws of justice, and this solidified our ability to be made clean in order to dwell with God again for our eternal rest. (Mark 14:36) (Abraham 3:27) (Moses 1:39)

3Nephi 27:19 says:

And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom;  therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and thier faithfulness unto the end.

This same rest is what Jesus promised in Matt 11:28-29.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 

Now that Christ had paid the price for our sins, there was one more step that he needed to do. This is described in 1 Corinthians 15:25-26.

For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

This occurred when the Savior was resurrected later that week after he was crucified. He broke the bands of death which ensures that all mankind will do likewise.

I hope as you celebrate this Easter, that you will appreciate and partake of His rest and this personal gift for you.  Our Savior knows each of us personally and he saves each of us individually. He only asks us to remember him and his sacrifice so that we can be partakers of his rest.

Enjoy this music video that shows traditional and modern artwork depicting key scenes from the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2020-11-0115-i-know-that-my-redeemer-lives?lang=eng

Scriptures:

Moses 1:39

For behold, this is my work and my glory –to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

Mark 14:36

And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee;  take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

Abraham 3:27

And the Lord said: Whom shall I send?  And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me.