Matthew 11:20-30
Friday, 23 February 2024
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” -Matthew 11:28
Here is the LORD Jesus’ invitation to those “toiling and being burdened”: “Come to ME…I will give you rest!” What a comforting word for us today! Multitudes are wearied by the toil of search for truth in a chaotic world and many burdened by the heavy load of religious rituals/observances put on them which bring no relief. Yet others are weighed down by the troubles the world puts on them- the cares of life that try to choke the very life in them. In the midst of this, we hear this gentle call from our Saviour: “Come to Me…and I will give you rest!”
The spiritual leaders of Jesus’ day had loaded the people with burdens of religious rules too heavy to bear. But Jesus had revealed God to them in way the religious leaders hadn’t—for instance, when Philip the disciple asked Him to show them the Father, Jesus replied: “He who has seen Me has seen the Father;” (John 14:9). He came to point us to God! Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to God except through Him (John 14:6). It is in finding Him and trusting in Him that we find rest!
With the invitation, Jesus tells us how to find rest in Him- we must take His Yoke upon us. A “yoke” ties an ox to another so that together they share the burden 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 disciple of Jesus?
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 a 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
Jesus says: “…learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart…” (Matt.11:29). Christ’s character is the mark of a true disciple. God is interested in “the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit…” (1Peter 3:4). The fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 are the traits a person yoked to Christ must desire to 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]: “Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.” Find rest in HIM!
Dear friend, the world offers no hope for rest and peace as we see it full of turmoil and anxiety. But you will surely find REST in Christ if you trust your life in His hands! Would you?
Promise: “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him.” (Psalm 62:5)
Listen: 'Still'