Have you ever heard the expression “I’m sick and tired of feeling sick and tired”?
If you have ever battled years of illness or fatigue, you certainly can relate to this statement. If you have anxiety or feelings of pressure, if you feel like you are having to do too much with too little time, you might also relate to this saying.
“I’m sick and tired of feeling sick and tired.”
“ "Sick and tired" is a hyperbolic expression of exasperation that implies one is weary to the point of illness or death.
“It is often used to express boredom or frustration with a situation. The phrase "sick and tired" can also be used as an adjective to describe someone who is thoroughly weary or bored…” (Source: bing.com)
I looked up synonyms for “sick and tired” and was surprised to find the following:
· Bored
· Tired
· Weary
· Jaded
· Sick
· Wearied
· Fed up
· Up to here
· Sick to death
· Sick to the back teeth
Are you fed up? Have you had it up to here? Are you tired? Weary? Have people or circumstances in life caused you to become jaded? Jesus invites you to come to Him.
My desk calendar for today reads: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” Matthew 11:28-30 NRSV
The thing I did not know until today was, this paragraph begins with Jesus speaking to His Father!
“At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 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.” Matthew 11:25-30 ESV
Verse 26 would be better translated “yes, Father, for so it please You well.”
“…“This is the second recorded prayer by Jesus that Matthew chronicles. The first was the model prayer Jesus taught His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:9-13).
“Jesus began His prayer with a praise and an acknowledgement of who God is. I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. Jesus speaks directly to His Father, which once again reveals the intimacy between them. Jesus acknowledges that His Father is Lord of heaven and earth. The opening of His prayer establishes the true perspective of who is in charge—His Father. His Father is the sovereign Lord over all things in heaven and on earth. It is noteworthy that Jesus (who is God) would begin with this recognition. It is the same perspective we ought to have as we live and go to our Father in prayer.
“Jesus praised His Father that in His sovereignty He has hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and has revealed them to infants. What is Jesus referring to? What has His Father hidden? What has He revealed? Who are the wise and intelligent? And who are the infants?
“The ‘these’ things mainly refers to the identities of John as the Messianic forerunner, and Jesus as the Messiah. We can surmise this because those were the things Jesus had been talking about immediately after John’s disciples inquired if Jesus was the “Expected One” (Matthew 11:3).
“…The Father had hidden these things about the identities of John and Jesus because the wise and intelligent did not obey God. They had chosen a perspective that did not enable them to see. Even though they knew the scriptures, they did not obey them. Instead, they abused their wisdom and intelligence to coerce and manipulate others for personal gain. Instead of loving their neighbor as God commanded them, they abused their authority to exploit. Jesus continues the prayer…saying Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. He affirms that it was right for His Father to hide His identity from those intelligent and wise who knew the scriptures and abused them and for His Father to reveal His identity to the infants that the wise preyed upon.
“Jesus then seems to end His prayer (in verse 26) and change who He is addressing. Instead of talking to His Father in front of the crowds, He switches to speaking to the crowds about the relationship He enjoys with His Father. (Source: thebiblesays.com)
With His prayer now finished, he turns to the people and says, “All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Matthew 11:27 ESV
And then comes the best part: the invitation. “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.” Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
I love The Message Bible version:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Jesus is just waiting for you to ask. He is only waiting on You. He is ready to act; He is ready to help; He is ready to help you recover your life.
The Savior Is Waiting – Heritage Singers
The Savior is waiting to enter your heart
Why don't you let Him come in
There's nothing in this world to keep you apart
What is your answer to Him
Time after time He has waited before
And now He is waiting again
To see if you're willing to open the door
Oh how He wants to come in
If you'll take one step toward the Savior, my friend
You'll find His arms open wide
Receive Him, and all of your darkness will end
Within your heart He'll abide
Time after time He has waited before
And now He is waiting again
To see if you're willing to open the door
Oh how He wants to come in
Oh how He wants to come in
by Jeanette Stark – Friday, June 16, 2023
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