So often we hear this particular passage of the Bible at funerals or at wake services for those we love who have journeyed home to God. As often as we hear this passage, we immediately presume that Jesus is speaking to those who have died. We just assume that the “rest” He refers to is the rest of the blessed who die in Christ. Yet, this passage is directed to us. Jesus offers us both an invitation and then a promise. The invitation is for us to go to Christ: “Come to Me.” Who is this invitation directed towards? Well, He tells us: “all you who labor and are burdened.” That is, those who labor hard each and every day; those who labor in sorrow at the death of a loved one or the loss of a job; those who are burdened with worries, sickness, and doubts; those who are burdened with addiction or mental illness; in short those of us who labor and are burdened, Jesus is calling! With the invitation is the promise: “I will give you rest.” When we go to Jesus, He gives us comfort, peace, and yes – rest. If you have been laboring and have been burdened, lay down your load at the feet of Christ. Go to Him and find that which you seek and deserve.