In Matthew 11, Jesus issues an appealing invitation: "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." Those gentle words, that promise of rest, speak to our souls. Jesus goes on to say, "Take my yoke upon you."
Jesus does not call us to simply lay down our load in order to find rest. He calls us to pick up His yoke in its place. The yoke speaks of work. We are offered rest for our souls, not inactivity. We take on ourselves the yoke of Christ and blend our lives with the lives of other Christians in accomplishing good for God in the world. Jesus' yoke is easy and light compared to the yoke and burden we bear when we choose to walk our own way. When we walk our own way, giving no thought to God or His Word, we find our yoke is heavy and grows ever heavier as the days pass. But as we walk with Christ, we discover His yoke is easy, and His burden is always with purpose. Yes, there is work to be done, but that work is purposeful.
Take time to pray and...
- choose to lay down your burdens and pick up Jesus' yoke;
- accept Jesus' gift of rest;
- thank Him for being gentle toward you.
Reflect on:
In this season of life, where do you fall on the continuum from soul-weary and burdened to rested and light?
What appeals to you in Jesus' invitation?
Why is it hard to lay down your own burdens?
Consider these passages for further study on Rest:
Exodus 33:12-14;
Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”
14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Psalms 91:1-2; Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalms 127:1-2 Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to[a] those he loves.
Matthew 11:25-30
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
When times or tough or just simply think greater than myself. It's amazing on how much the Lord takes on our load and carries all our burdens so we can rest. The thought of why worry because the Lord is in control.