(Matthew 11 v 25 - 30)
This has echoes of something else
The disciples thought they needed something
Knowledge.
But the knowledge 'giver said that what they really needed was
Power.
Of course this happened just before Pentecost (see Acts 1 v 6 - 8)
Which is a lot further on in the story than Matthew's report here.
Nevertheless, Jesus often said that if you are looking for one thing, you often need something else first.
In this case, Jesus knew that His hearers needed rest (v28).
Rest.
This carries with it the meaning of resting again.
As if it is a place we need to keep coming back to.
As one commentator says: 'We must....repose ourselves in him' (Matthew Henry).
But, let's go back a verse and understand something else.
Jesus speaks first about revelation of the Father (v27)
As if revelation of the Father was somehow important to Resting
So , just like a child in the arms of their earthly father is at rest
Could it be that those who trust and know God as Father (Abba, see Romans 8 v 15 & 16)
Will more easily find the 'Rest' Jesus speaks of?
Of course, the church needs both: to know God as Father, and to truly know how to Rest in his precious Son..
Jesus seems to indicate that one precedes the true, deeper experience of the other.