Sermon: July 5^th, 2026, Come Away and Find Rest

There is a beautiful movement through today’s readings: a servant sets out in faith, not knowing exactly how the way will open; Rebekah hears a call and answers, “I will”;

Paul explains how our heart can be divided, we want to see and do good, yet we cannot always achieve that;

And Jesus, always stands beside us and among the weary, and says, “Come to me…and I will give you rest.”

In Genesis, Abraham’s servant who in some early writings is said to be Eliezer, as in Genesis 15:2 Abraham refers to his steward as “Eliezer of Damacus,” is sent on a journey of trust. He has no control over the outcome.  

He prays by the spring, watches carefully, and discovers that God’s guidance arrives through ordinary kindness: a young woman, offering water, not only to him, but to the camels as well. Rebekah’s generosity becomes the sign of God’s provision.

That is often how grace comes to us too:

•  not as thunder from heaven,
• but as a quiet prompt,
•  a generous act,
• a door opening where we expected only uncertainty.

God’s way is not always revealed in advance. Sometimes, we recognise it only as we walk it.

But Rebekah’s story also asks something of us. When she is asked, “Will you go with this man?” she replies, “I will.” It is a small sentence with a much faith displayed inside it.

She steps out from the familiar into promise. It seems that her faith was not merely just in believing that God has a plan; it was learning to be ready to say yes when God’s invitation comes.

 2 Corinthians 5:7 has and interesting take of faith which I would like to explore for just a moment As it neatly ties into today’s message: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

As we look back, in order to walk forward, we will see that our lives have been full of seasons, and as sure as the sun rises tomorrow morning, there will be more to come—some joyful, – some uncertain, a – and some deeply challenging.

In each of these seasons, God would expect us to walk not by what we see, but by what we believe. Faith is not just a feeling; it is a way of life. “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

I suggest that;  faith begins where understanding ends.

•  We often seek clarity, before we take a step.  
• We want to understand every detail, before we move forward,
• And we want to trust that the direction God has planned for us is the one we have chosen.  So, what can we say about faith in God?

Pauls letter to the Hebrews chapter 11 speaks about the meaning of Faith: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” 

• Faith requires us to trust even when we do not fully understand, it is stepping forward when God speaks, even if the destination is unknown.

² Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 

• Faith requires us to trust even when we do not fully understand, it is stepping forward when God speaks, even if the destination is unknown.

³ By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

• Faith sustains us in difficult seasons. We all face trials. There are moments when life feels heavy and uncertain. In these times faith does not remove storms—it reminds us we are not alone in them.
• Faith is not passive it requires action; it is active. –
• And James reminds us that faith without works is dead.

When we believe God, we align all we do with that belief. This means to exercise our faith by praying when we feel weak. Giving when it seems difficult. Forgiving when it hurts.

• An active and honest faith will help us to act according to God’s promises.

• Faith can bring transformation even to the one who struggles to get a grip on all of the above forementioned. When we are able to confidently and consistently walk by faith, something does change within us. Fear gives way to courage. Doubt turns into confidence. Our perspective shifts from temporary struggles to hope in God’s promises.
• Faith will not only shape our actions but also our hearts. A daily, newfound, developing faith, will transform us, one step at a time, one day at a time, into people who reflect God’s strength and peace.

Walking by faith is not always easy, but it is always worth it. God honours those who trust Him, even when the road ahead is unclear.

Today, you may be facing uncertainty, challenges, or questions. This is your invitation to seek to strengthen your daily walk in faith, to be able trust God more deeply.

Paul gives voice to the struggle within us. “I do not do the good I want,” he says. We know that struggle. We intend to be patient and find ourselves losing it. We intend to pray and find ourselves distracted. We intend to be courageous but are overcome by fear.

Paul does not excuse these lapses in faith, but he refuses pretence. He tells the truth about the human heart. And because he tells the truth, he can also receive the gospel. “Who will rescue me?” he cries.   “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

Christian hope is not built on our ability to fix ourselves. It is built on our faith in Christ, who meets us in our weariness, our weaknesses, our contradiction, and our need.

That is why the words of Jesus in Matthew are so tender and so strong: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

To those whose faith in God has waned through distractions, lack of confidence in our walk with God, issues that we have created at home or elsewhere or our faith journey has just come to a standstill; Jesus does not say, “Come when you have sorted yourself out.”

He does not say, “Come when you have understood everything.” He says, “Come to me.”

• The first movement of the faith of a disciple is not achievement, but simply, “Come to me.”

We read that the rest Jesus gives is not an escape from life as He says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” A yoke is still a yoke; there is still work to be done, obedience, service, and love.  Yes, a yoke represents work, but it also represents partnership.

When I grew up in the late 1950s and early 1960s, my father and other farmers worked with teams of horses, and some also used oxen. When animals were yoked together to pull sleds, carts, or ploughs, they shared the load as they worked side by side.

An experienced animal would lead the team, guiding the others by example. As the others followed, the path became clearer and the weight was easier to bear because it was carried together. In that sense, the yoke links experience with inexperience. It provides direction, keeps the team together, and allows the burden to be shared.

The yoke as for oxen, or the bridles that are attached together for horses, is the link that the lead animals can use to keep the others in check. It goes for the rest of the team who if more than 2 will be yoked in a similar fashion. Experience yoked to inexperience and so on.

In being yoked to Jesus, He is saying to us: Walk with Me, learn from Me, let Me carry the weight with you.  Following Christ does not remove responsibility; it transforms how we carry it.

But remember Christ yoke is different because we do not carry it alone. We are joined to Christ, who is gentle and humble in heart.

But a yoke is still a yoke, and being yoked to Christ, means there is still more work to be done in order for the Kingdom of God to continue to grow here on earth, so don’t pull out of the team…the work to be done is ongoing and needs us to serve as we are called to obedience, service, and love.  

Yes, a yoke represents work, but it also represents partnership.  A partnership with God through Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour.

So today as we reflect on our faith journey;

•  If we are standing at a spring wondering which way to go, pray and watch in faith for the grace of God in ordinary kindness.
• If we are being invited into something new, ask in faith for Rebekah’s courage to say, “I will.”
• If we feel divided within ourselves, do not despair or pretend. Bring the truth of our heart in faith to Christ.
• And if we are weary—truly weary—hear the invitation again.

Come to him. Come with all our burdens, our unfinished prayers, our mixed motives, and our longing for renewal.

Come, in faith and learn from the One whose gentleness is not weakness, whose humility is not passivity, and whose rest is the deep peace of being held by God.

For wisdom is vindicated by her deeds. The wisdom of God is seen by faith, in lives made gentle, burdens shared, weary souls restored, and ordinary people given grace to walk the way before them, remembering we share the Yoke with Christ.  

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reverend Maku Potae

Chaplain.