The Know Why of Jesus

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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. Matthew 11:28-29

Imagine you’re a child studying astronomy. You read about the first mission to the moon and you begin to ask your teacher all sorts of space travel questions. ‘What’s it like on the moon?’ The teacher replies, ‘Well, I would guess’ or ‘I think’ or ‘Perhaps’. She’s never been there. But next day Astronaut Neil Armstrong enters your classroom. ‘Now ask your questions,’ the teacher says, and Armstrong answers each with certainty. He knows the moon; he’s walked on it. No speculation or hesitation – he speaks with conviction.

So did Jesus: ‘He taught them as one having authority’ (Matthew 7:29). Jesus knows the dimensions of heaven. He knows the words of the songs sung by the angelic choir. He has unrivalled knowledge of God – and He wants to share His knowledge with you: ‘No one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him’ (Matthew 11:27).

But notice what Jesus says next: ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens…Let me teach you…and you will find rest for your souls’ (Matthew 11:28-29). Underline the words ‘Let me teach you’. ‘Let me teach you how to handle your money, your marriage, and your mood swings. Let me teach you how to live the right way on earth, and how to go to heaven when you die.’ And don’t we need to learn? The age of information has become the age of confusion: too much know-how, and hardly any know-why. We need answers. Answers only Jesus has. ‘But can I trust Him?’ There’s only one way to find out!

Prayer