Matthew 11
Devotional:
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30).
Jesus’s listeners are demoralized and weary. Mosaic law requires them to obey a staggering 613 commandments, and the scribes and Pharisees require them to observe the countless regulations imposed upon them by traditional Judaism. But now Jesus tells them of his yoke; one that is, by comparison, light and easy to bear. It is the “law of Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:21), fulfilled through simple commitment to Jesus (trusting him to forgive sins, remove guilt, and grant freedom), looking to Him who is “gentle and lowly in heart” for encouragement, strength and restoration, and leaning upon the Spirit’s help in humbly learning from and striving to imitate Jesus in thought, word, and deed.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30).
Jesus’s listeners are demoralized and weary. Mosaic law requires them to obey a staggering 613 commandments, and the scribes and Pharisees require them to observe the countless regulations imposed upon them by traditional Judaism. But now Jesus tells them of his yoke; one that is, by comparison, light and easy to bear. It is the “law of Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:21), fulfilled through simple commitment to Jesus (trusting him to forgive sins, remove guilt, and grant freedom), looking to Him who is “gentle and lowly in heart” for encouragement, strength and restoration, and leaning upon the Spirit’s help in humbly learning from and striving to imitate Jesus in thought, word, and deed.
Pray it:
Jesus, I thank you for bringing rest and comfort. Help me to remember your easy yoke and to resist the hard and demanding yokes that others – including myself – might seek to place upon my shoulders. Amen.
Jesus, I thank you for bringing rest and comfort. Help me to remember your easy yoke and to resist the hard and demanding yokes that others – including myself – might seek to place upon my shoulders. Amen.
Share it:
Who is someone you can share a verse or thought from this passage with?
Who is someone you can share a verse or thought from this passage with?
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