“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke* upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke* is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
A yoke is not just a wooden collar worn by two animals to pull a plow or wagon. The picture to the left is the type of yoke we are speaking of. In scripture it is a figurative reference for bondage or servitude. Before we knew Christ we were a slave to sin. Our burdens were heavy upon us and we had no way of escape. Once we entered into fellowship with Him and accepted His forgiveness, we had our burdens lifted and His peace was upon us. The yoke of God is light as we learn from Him. His desire is not to burden us any longer, but to lift us out of our burdensome circumstances and set us free. While the circumstances may remain, we will be able to work our way through them in peace as we rely on God. We need not be weighed down by the cares of this world any longer.
At a time of year when feeling weary is an understatement and being burdened is putting it politely, we read the words of Jesus. Rest; isn’t it all we really want right now. But the year is about to end and a new year filled with a multitude of unknowns is about to unfold. Christ can give us rest. The rest resides within Him. What does that mean? When we enter into a relationship with God the Holy Spirit comes to reside within us. The peace of Christ, that rest that we so desperately need, is available to us. Allow the Holy Spirit of God to help you relax. Peace is there for the asking. You will find your rest for both body and spirit. Life will still be there, but if you meditate on the goodness of God rather than the seeming immensity of coming difficulties, some which are only in your mind, you will find peace … you will find your rest.
WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!
* The word in the Hebrew is used figuratively referring to severe bondage, or affliction, or subjection (Lev. 26:13; 1 Kings 12:4; Isa. 47:6; Lam. 1:14; 3:27). In the New Testament the word "yoke" is also used to denote servitude (Matt. 11:29, 30; Acts 15:10; Gal. 5:1). [Easton Bible Dictionary]
