Here is the LORD Jesus’ invitation to the weary and burdened: “Come to ME…I will give you rest!” What a soothing, comforting word for us today! We are most often wearied by the troubles and burdens the world puts on us- the cares of life that try to choke the very life in us. Yet we hear this gentle call from our Saviour: “Come to Me…and I will give you rest!”

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When Christ gives the invitation, He also points to us a way that we will find rest in Him. He says, we must take His Yoke upon us. A “yoke” as we know ties an ox to another one so that together they share the burden that is put on them while pulling a cart. Let us draw the parallel to a person who is yoked to Christ. What does being “yoked” with Christ have to do with the person involved?

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Let’s look at the acronym “YOKE” and see how it relates:

•            Y- Yield your life to Christ

One who wants to be yoked to Christ must come to Him and “yield” his/her life. This calls for a submission or surrender of one’s self, so that Christ has the first place in your life. He should be able to say, “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…”(Galatians 2:20). 1 Cor.6:17 say, “But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” This union with Christ helps us to yield to Him- to understand how He wants to direct our lives!

•            O- Obey His Word

When we enter into a relationship with Christ, we love Him- if we love Him, we will keep His words (John 14:23). And 1 John 2:3 says, “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” A person who is willing to obey His Word can only be yoked to Christ. A willing and obedient heart is the true test of our love for Christ.

•            K- Keep His Character

In our key verse itself, Jesus says: “…learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart…” Christ’s character is the mark of a true disciple of Christ.  God is interested in “the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit…” (1 Peter 3:4). The fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 are the traits a person yoked to Christ must desire to have and exhibit in his/her life.

•            E- Enter His Rest

When we are yoked to Christ, we enter into His rest! It’s the rest from “dead works” that do not profit in drawing near to God, but trusting in the “finished work” of Christ on our behalf that makes us right with God! There is also the rest that comes from trust!! A trust that our life is in His constant care and we do not need to carry the burden of worry on us each day. 1 Peter 5:7[GNT] says, “Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.” Find rest in HIM!

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Dear friend, the world offers no hope for rest and peace as we see it full of turmoil and anxiety. There is turbulence and much unrest all around the world. But you will surely find REST in Christ if you trust your life in His hands! This reassurance will surely put us at rest as we face each day. Would you come to Christ and find rest in Him?

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A Promise: “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.”  -Psalm 62:5

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