2nd Week of Advent, Wednesday – 9th December 2020 — Gospel: Mt 11:28-30
Redeemer like Moses
Jesus says to all those who labour under harsh religious and political systems, “Come to me … and I will give you rest.” This text has a specific background in the Old Testament. The word “rest” is the common expression for the possession of the Promised Land (Deut 3,20; Josh 1,13.15). In the Septuagint “rest” can refer to Sabbath rest, the rest after death, or rest from war when Israel’s enemies have been suppressed. “Rest” also functions as an image of salvation, when the world finally enjoys full and complete Sabbath according to God’s purposes. However, Matthew recalls an Exodus passage, where Moses prays for the people after which Yahweh promises rest to Moses and his people saying, “I will give you rest” (Ex 33,14). This is an assurance that in due time Yahweh will bring his people to their rest and settlement in the Promised Land. In this connection, Jesus in deeming himself to be “gentle” (11,29), is taking up a chief characteristic of Moses, who was humble (Num 12,3). In speaking of his “yoke” (11,29), Jesus is using a term often applied to the law given through Moses. So Matthew wishes to present Jesus as the second redeemer, after Moses. In promising “rest,” Jesus reveals himself that he is the source of spiritual rest offering salvation to all people and in him begins God’s new reign.
