Vs 28 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Vs 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matt. 11:28-29)
This past month has been a time of really drawing to the Lord and trusting in Him. Scripture has become so alive to me. Verses I have read all my adult life has taken on a whole new meaning and Matt 11:28&29 is one of them.
Do you realize this is the only time Jesus ever described Himself? The reason He's a safe place for hurting people is that He has a soul that has been tamed from any agenda except the agenda of God's redeeming love. Why a yoke?
A yoke is a single object built for two. When yoked together, two oxen can pull more than one alone can. It cuts work in half and multiplies the effect of their labor. Think about Jesus' yoke. Christmas is the celebration of the fact that Jesus came to earth as a flesh and blood human being. John 1:14 says that God became flesh and dwelt among us. Why? So He could invite us to His yoke. The Hebrews had strict laws concerning the abuse of animals, especially those placed under the yoke. An ox and a horse could not be hitched together in the same yoke. Why? One or both will get hurt. So Jesus came as He did, to do what He does--carry the heavy burdens of life with us. He came for the heat of the struggle, when your body is weary, and when you are reminded that pain does not always go away quickly.
He is strong. He takes up the load that you can't handle. He carries the load when you stumble. He holds the yoke in place when you refuse to go another inch. His strength makes the yoke easy and the burden lighter for us. In the midst of our struggle and pain, we have His gentle and humble heart to teach us His way, the way to a cross. He knows how to handle heavy objects and weighty things. He manhandled the cross up Calvary. The Christian life begins by placing faith in Jesus, but it continues victoriously as we learn to walk like Him--by walking with Him under the yoke.
I don't know where one finds rest while still in the struggle, except with Jesus.
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I really like this one pastor. It reminds me allot of some hardships ive gone thru and i just could not take any more and just when i wanted to give up, i closed my eyes and pleaded to God & i prayed because that was all i had strength for and i got this enormous strength to carry on with life. It had to have been Jesus's mercy carrying the load i could no longer carry. I'm so Thankful to know him and to have called on him in desperation. i give thanks everyday. God is Love i will always belive that and that comes from a person like myself who was broken and hopeless at one point. I will continue to pass it on.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing to see your great spiritual strength given by the Lord as you have endured all these challenges.Where would we be if we did not have His presence in our heart and lives...God bless you and Karen as you get back home.You will continue to be in our prayers while you get settled back home and that Karen will go stronger and heal completely....Love in Christ's service, Rev. Bud and Jo-Ann Saltzman Savage....Tucson Arizona
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