Matthew 11:28-30
The world, our world, is in chaos. Everyone around us is dealing with something: sickness, death, homework, dating issues, rape, not being notices, depression, suicide, feeling inadequate, and feeling lost. In a word, they’re weary. We live in a world that is burdened. As I was substitute teaching this week, I spent Thursday subbing for a high school drama teacher. In the course of the day, I was privileged to get to watch the students rehearse their one act play for a drama competition. This play served as inspiration. You see, it’s not even just sickness, then homework, then depression… It’s sickness AND homework, AND depression, AND dating, AND…. And people are looking for an escape; and rest. And sometimes even WE, who call ourselves Christians, or believers, are burdened, and weary, and maybe even worn down. What is the answer to all of this? It is NOT found in our cell phones, that we seem to keep our faces buried in.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)
JESUS is the answer. He was the answer 2,000 years ago, and He is still the answer today. So, if Jesus is the answer, why don’t more people know Him? Maybe we aren’t doing our job and telling them. Are we sharing our stories? We need to take our testimonies outside of the church, and share them with the world.
But how do we share Jesus with a world that doesn’t know, or maybe even doesn’t want to know, they need Him? Some people have been deeply hurt by church. Some have never been in a church. Many see the Church as just another example of organized religion run amok. Some blame God for the problems in the world. And yet, these people are still empty inside, and they are trying anything to fill that void. Sometimes, they recognize that a spiritual world does exist, and they seek to fill that emptiness with ghost-hunting, the occult, or attempts to communicate with the dead. Others turn to drugs or alcohol, dangerous activities (for an adrenaline rush or to feel fear, just to feel something). Some turn to sex. And most frightening, most personal, to me is that some, when the emptiness and the pain, become so overwhelming, nothing else has worked, and the depression kicks in to high gear, some seek suicide. The answer, Jesus Christ, is so close, and they don’t know all they have to do is call His name. What do we do? How do we introduce the people around us to the ONE who can save them? How do we introduce the ONE who’s yoke is easy, burden is light, and who provides rest?
We have to earn that privilege. And it is a privilege, and a responsibility, to share Jesus with those around us. I am going to use an acronym to help us. Back in February, during our evangelism series, one of our sermons was on being salt and light. In Matthew 5:13 Jesus says “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.” (NLT). You might remember the qualities about salt that were mentioned: it operates internally, it is necessary for life, it has a distinct taste, it is a preservative, and it creates thirst. You might have guessed, I am using the acronym, S.A.L.T. (By the way, I got the idea for using the SALT acronymn from the drama teacher).
1) Start a conversation
Take time in the checkout line to say, “Hi.” Look for opportunities to reach out, and talk to someone.
2) Ask questions
Ask someone how their day is going. Ask open-ended questions that encourage them to talk. Ask questions to find out what interests you may share.
3) Listen
Listen to what they are saying. Listen for clues that may provide insight. Listen to their joys, their triumphs, and their concerns. Listen to get to know them, not simply to respond. Listen to their story.
4) Tell your story
Share your testimony. Remember your two minute testimony. Tell them what Jesus has done for you. Share how Jesus has eased your burdens, and helped you to find rest in Him.
So be SALTy. It may open the door to new friendships. Or help current friendships grow. As we have learned before, it may take some time for someone to respond to the Gospel message. The church is not supposed to simply exist. We have been commanded to be salt, and light, and to take the Good News to the ends of the earth. For some of us, that may be right next door, across the street, or across the country, or around the world. But the bottom line is the same: If not us, who will tell our weary, troubled, over-burdened world where they can find the rest that they desperately long for?
Do you know Jesus Christ? Do you know the one who provides rest? Are you sharing Him with others, especially your friends? Who do you know who needs to find rest in Jesus? Who can you invite friend day?