The greatest invitation you’ll ever receive

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30.

We live in a restless world.

Does the word of God still apply in our times? Is it possible to truly have rest in one’s soul, as Jesus here offers us? Of course it is; God’s word is unchangeable, and as surely as God lives, it stands.

Take My yoke upon you

We can be very thankful that an innermost rest is available, and that Jesus tells us the way to it. “Take my yoke upon you …” What is His “yoke?”  We only need to think of the constraining harness used to keep oxen moving according to the farmer’s will. When I am bearing Jesus’ yoke, I can’t “go my own way,” but must submit to a higher will. How does that bring me real rest in my soul?

“Learn of Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart.” What a teacher! He who knows exactly what it is like to live in an ungodly world, with a body and soul that is subject to moods and many temptations. With the tendency to judge matters according to what I think and feel at any given time and to react accordingly. He invites us to learn from Him, He who is gentle and lowly (meek) in heart.

There, under the yoke of Jesus, I understand that when God is really in control of my life and I submit myself to His will, I find rest. Any protestations about the others, and/or the treatment I receive by them or life’s circumstances must cease. He is leading my life now, and I am learning to be thankful for all things, as it is His perfect will for me. “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

My yoke is easy

It doesn’t happen all at once, but I am learning, as Jesus’ disciple, to become gentle and lowly of heart, trusting God in all situations to bring about a good result, in His time. Isn’t this exactly what Jesus did, as He submitted to all kinds of treatment—even death on a cross? He chose to suffer during His lifetime, rather than sin, as it is written in Hebrews 11:25 and 1 Peter 4:1. “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” We could say, everything is easy when I have the mind to suffer, and it really is, because with this mindset God’s grace and pleasure is with me in abundant measure; He will help me to do His will.

Going my own way—has it ever brought me rest in my soul, my innermost being? In striving to push my own will through, or giving in to it in temptation, I find, like an unruly ox, life is burdensome; it’s hard! Letting God—the God of peace—have full control, is the way to that which my soul longs for, indeed, the peace which the whole world is seeking. Blessed is everyone who heeds these words of Jesus; they will truly come to rest.

What an opportunity, to be yoked together with Him in the service of the Father!