It Starts Small

While the king is on his couch,
my perfume releases its fragrance.

Songs 1:12

The imagery takes a powerful turn in this verse, inviting us to a table—a sacred haven of fellowship, nourishment, and intimacy. The bride exclaims as her fragrance rises, enveloping the atmosphere while the King sits at His table. This moment is one of profound stillness, saturated with divine presence. Her fragrance is not forced; it flows naturally in the glorious proximity of the King. Spiritually, this vivid scene encapsulates the beauty of resting in Christ. Our identity isn’t a burden we have to wrestle with; it’s a glorious truth we get to embrace.

²⁸ “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

In His presence, our true selves begin to emerge authentically, beautifully, much like the enchanting fragrance of spikenard. Theologically, the table symbolizes communion—not solely in a physical sense but profoundly in our relationships. Jesus extends an invitation to the weary, urging them to sit with Him, lay down their burdens, and receive restoration. It is not through our own efforts but through our proximity to Him that our genuine beauty and calling are unveiled.

Psychologically, rest is not just beneficial; it is absolutely vital for the profound integration of our identity. When we are trapped in a relentless performance mode, our sense of self shatters into pieces. Truly restorative rest—both emotional and spiritual—grants us the precious opportunity to reconnect with who we genuinely are. When we finally cease our relentless striving, we often rediscover our immense value. Neuroscience beautifully demonstrates that deep rest and relational safety engage the parasympathetic nervous system, soothing our bodies and fostering deep healing. In environments imbued with safety and love, our brains unlock extraordinary creativity, heightened receptivity, and remarkable resilience. Jesus embodies this nurturing environment within Himself, inviting us into a sanctuary of peace and renewal.

You need not strive, demonstrate, or feign in the presence of the King. Your essence – the beautiful fragrance of your true self – will naturally rise just because you are close to Him. In this sacred space of rest, your identity shines brighter than any performance ever could.

Journal Prompt:

• Dd you believe you are allowed to rest?
• What fears or expectations keep you from sitting at the table with Jesus?
• What “fragrance” do you hope your life gives off in His presence?

Practical Steps and Application:

1. Set a timer and sit in silent prayer for 10 minutes – just being with Jesus.
2. Let go of one expectation or task that is rooted in striving, not calling.

Deeper Introspection:

Read the following Verses.

²⁸ “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

⁷ casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.

1 Peter 5:7

¹⁶ This is what the Lord says:

Stand by the roadways and look.
Ask about the ancient paths,
“Which is the way to what is good?”
Then take it
and find rest for yourselves.
But they protested, “We won’t!”

Jeremiah 6:16

³¹ but those who trust in the Lord
will renew their strength;
they will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not become weary,
they will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

¹ God is our refuge and strength,
a helper who is always found
in times of trouble.
² Therefore we will not be afraid,
though the earth trembles
and the mountains topple
into the depths of the seas,
³ though its water roars and foams
and the mountains quake with its turmoil.Selah

⁴ There is a river—
its streams delight the city of God,
the holy dwelling place of the Most High.
⁵ God is within her; she will not be toppled.
God will help her when the morning dawns.
⁶ Nations rage, kingdoms topple;
the earth melts when he lifts his voice.
⁷ The Lord of Armies is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.Selah

⁸ Come, see the works of the Lord,
who brings devastation on the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease throughout the earth.
He shatters bows and cuts spears to pieces;
he sets wagons ablaze.
¹⁰ “Stop fighting, and know that I am God,
exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”
¹¹ The Lord of Armies is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.Selah

Psalm 46

Matthew 11:28 is a warm and compassionate invitation from Jesus to those who are weary and burdened. It is an offer of profound rest and peace for those who carry the heavy weights of life, whether from external circumstances or internal struggles. Here are several journal prompts based on Matthew 11:28, with references to related scriptures.

Reflecting on weariness and burdens

• Identify burdens: Jesus invites “all who are weary and burdened.” List specific things that weigh you down. This could include stress, guilt, anxiety, or the overwhelming demands of life. Write honestly about what makes you feel heavy-laden.
• “Come to me”: Jesus makes it clear that the promise of rest depends on willingness to come to him. Write about what it means to actively bring burdens to Jesus, rather than trying to carry them on your own.
• What is Jesus’ rest?: The rest Jesus offers is not passive inactivity but a deep, spiritual peace that endures through life’s trials. Reflect on and write about what “rest” from Jesus feels like in your soul. How is it different from simply taking a break or a vacation?
• The alternative to rest: The religious leaders of Jesus’ day had burdened the people with a long list of legalistic rules. Reflect on any legalistic or self-imposed burdens that might keep you from experiencing true rest in Christ.

Trusting in Jesus’ offer

• Casting your cares: The Apostle Peter writes, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Write about what it feels like to genuinely cast your cares onto Jesus. What makes it difficult to let go of control and surrender your anxieties to him?
• The path to peace: The Prophet Jeremiah wrote, “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16). Write about how Jesus, as “the way” (John 14:6), offers the “good way” that leads to true soul-rest.
• Rest and renewed strength: The Prophet Isaiah promises, “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31). How does Jesus’ rest empower you to endure the challenges of life with renewed strength, rather than running on your own empty energy?

Prompts based on the wider context

• Learning from Jesus: The verses immediately following Matthew 11:28 are also important: “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 11:29–30). What does it mean to take up Jesus’ yoke?. How does learning from his character bring you rest?
• Stillness in his presence: In Psalm 46, we are invited to “be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). The rest Jesus offers is found in being still and quiet before him. Write about how to create space in your life to intentionally rest and listen for his guidance.
• Jesus’ life as a model: The Gospels show that Jesus himself regularly sought solitude and rest in the midst of his busy ministry. What can you learn from Jesus’ example about the importance of balancing labor with rest?

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