Jesus’ famous invitation is found in Matthew 11:28-30, when Jesus says:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
For followers of Jesus, serving God does not always feel like rest, and the burden often doesn’t feel light. Looking at the context of Chapter 11 in its entirety will help us understand Jesus’ promise more deeply.
Jesus makes his statement after an exchange with disciples of John the Baptist, who have been sent by him after his imprisonment, in the hopes of confirming that Jesus is the one that John had been waiting for and preaching about for the past years. Jesus doesn’t promise John rest from his imprisonment, but he does provide him with the evidence he needed to put his mind at rest, confirm his faith, and prepare him for the difficulties that lie ahead. He does the same for each of us.