Jesus' Invitation to Us in the Dark Night
Summary of the Message
In response to our dark night experience, Christ does not simply promise to eradicate those difficulties, but instead invites us to himself to learn from him and acquire his character in an apprentice relationship. This is an invitation to discipleship, where we take on the humble character of Christ.
In response to our dark night experience, Christ does not simply promise to eradicate those difficulties, but instead invites us to himself to learn from him and acquire his character in an apprentice relationship. This is an invitation to discipleship, where we take on the humble character of Christ.
Key Sermon Points
1. All of us are broken so Christ invites us all (v.28)
There are many forms of weariness and different kinds of burdens in the world, and Christ wants his people to proclaim his invitation to all those who need it. But we must not lose sight of the fact that at the center of that invitation too, Christ is calling each of us to the rest that is relief to all of our toiling. He aims to lift the weight from our shoulders. But we must remember, he’s not mainly addressing circumstances but the climate of our hearts, where the stress and strain of problems actually reside.
2. Coming to Jesus is more than a new attitude, it is a new kind of life (v.28-29)
The yoke that Jesus offers us is not a yoke of slavery or control, but a yoke of guidance. It speaks to our leaving an old way of living to take on his new way of living. He says we should “learn from him,” which is his way of inviting us into a discipleship relationship. He emphasizes his own gentleness and humility, which assures us that he is not coming to condemn us but to receive us. He wants us to experience his character so we can become like him.
3. Rest does not mean no cross (v.30)
How do we reconcile Jesus’ words in v.30 with his other teaching about the cross- centered nature of discipleship which does not seem “easy and light?” Christ shows us that the change he brings in our hearts shifts the experience of our difficulties so that there is an easiness and lightness that we take on, though the emotional toll is heavy.
1. All of us are broken so Christ invites us all (v.28)
There are many forms of weariness and different kinds of burdens in the world, and Christ wants his people to proclaim his invitation to all those who need it. But we must not lose sight of the fact that at the center of that invitation too, Christ is calling each of us to the rest that is relief to all of our toiling. He aims to lift the weight from our shoulders. But we must remember, he’s not mainly addressing circumstances but the climate of our hearts, where the stress and strain of problems actually reside.
2. Coming to Jesus is more than a new attitude, it is a new kind of life (v.28-29)
The yoke that Jesus offers us is not a yoke of slavery or control, but a yoke of guidance. It speaks to our leaving an old way of living to take on his new way of living. He says we should “learn from him,” which is his way of inviting us into a discipleship relationship. He emphasizes his own gentleness and humility, which assures us that he is not coming to condemn us but to receive us. He wants us to experience his character so we can become like him.
3. Rest does not mean no cross (v.30)
How do we reconcile Jesus’ words in v.30 with his other teaching about the cross- centered nature of discipleship which does not seem “easy and light?” Christ shows us that the change he brings in our hearts shifts the experience of our difficulties so that there is an easiness and lightness that we take on, though the emotional toll is heavy.
Discussion Questions
- Begin with some honesty: are you weary & worn today? Is the rest Christ offering yours? How might you now encourage yourself to embrace that rest by coming to Jesus?
- Practically, how do we learn from Jesus? Describe a day in the life of learning from Jesus.
- How does Christ's promise of rest inform how we share the gospel with others?
- How do you plan to live out what you have learned from this text? Write it down!
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