“Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. 30. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Over the years I have referred to this text again and again. It was one of the first texts that I preached in my early days in the ministry. I want to share some of my thoughts on this dynamic text. First, it contains an invitation. Jesus said:”Come unto me…” When I read this text, I imagine Jesus standing on a mountain with His arms outstretched inviting people to Himself. His arms are outstretched waiting for you. You can read this text as a personal invitation from Jesus to you, offering to enter into your present cares and concerns. I do not know what your cares and concerns are, but Jesus knows about them and is waiting to give you an answer that only He can give. Jesus wants to hear from you and He wants to offer His help to lead you through, over, or around your cares and concerns. Offer Him a word of praise and thank Him for His interest in your life. Second, it contains a promise: “Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Jesus wants to give you the rest that only He can give. He further states that “you shall find rest unto your souls.” Jesus wants to give you His rest and peace in the deepest recesses of your life. There is nothing that you can tell Jesus that will surprise Him, nor can you tell Him anything that will be too great for Him to handle. Just as He stilled the storm on the Sea of Galilee, He wants to still the storms in your life. You will never know what Jesus can do for you until you accept His invitation to come to Him. Third, it contains a challenge: “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me…” A yoke is symbol of service. Oxen are put in a yoke when they are being put to work. Jesus is not inviting you to take a vacation from responsibility; rather, He is inviting you to find His rest for you in service for Him. Jesus knows what your Holy Spirit gifts are, and He knows what He wants to use you to do for Him. You will find your greatest rest and peace in Jesus as you take His yoke upon you, and make yourself available for His purposes for your life. Matthew 11:28-30 is a personal invitation to you to find your rest in Jesus as you serve in His yoke. Accept the invitation…. Bro. Joe
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AuthorDr. Joe Beauchamp is the author of this blog and website. Categories
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