“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
What an amazing invitation! And, what a wonderfully personal and relevant concern the very Son of God has revealed in these words. “Come to me all who are weary.” “Come to me all who are burdened.”
In a 2012 “Stress in American” study, The American Psychological Association reported that one-half of Americans know how to anticipate when stress develops, but within that percentage only half know how to prevent stress. Doctors, psychologists, and even nutritionists and physical trainers have developed plans for coping and managing stress. Yet for most, avoiding the negative influences of stress continues to be a lifestyle out of reach.
I do not minimize any amount of stress nor the dreadful effects that stress can cause. But Jesus has spoken into the stress with an incredible promise! Jesus offers an invitation that expresses His sovereign concern over our personal well-being: “come to me all who are weary and burdened.” Another translation interprets Jesus’ words as, “come to me all who are heavy- laden.” Although a more dated rendering, does this not give an accurate word-picture? Heavy-laden. Bent low under the weight. Loaded down with burdens. This is not at all what Jesus desires for you. This is not what living under His rule and reign should feel like. Not at all! But sadly, this experience in life happens all too frequently for many.
Look closely for a moment at this invitation from Jesus: come to me. The term “come” is used in this sense twelve times in the New Testament. And, without exception, each usage expresses, “come and receive.” This indicates that what is being offered can only be found in the one extending the invitation. Jesus has invited each of us to receive something that is not possible to have without Him. In the prior verse (v. 27), Jesus stated of Himself: “no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.” Then, in verse 28, Jesus revealed one way He makes Himself known: through carrying our burdens. What an amazing revelation of the Son of God. And, how personal this revelation is to you and me. His invitation stands as real and personal at this very moment.
Consider the recipients of such a life-changing invitation. “All who are weary.” This indicates one who is tired and exhausted, or labored-out. But in the present context, this laboring is tied to grief and worries. The term, “weary” is actually in a verb form, meaning one who works up to a place of weariness because of life’s discouragements and challenges. “All who are burdened.” Jesus used this term burdened in only one other context: “woe to you experts of the law, you lay burdens on men, and then you do not lift one finger to fulfill these burdens yourselves.” (Luke 11:46) The literal word picture intended by our Lord (from a verb form that is passive) indicates something from the outside of your life – perhaps something over which you have no control – being pressed in upon you.
In response to the invitation and the condition of those being invited, now consider the challenge. (This becomes the very impasse where many decide to live with their burdens instead of releasing them to Jesus’ control.) After the invitation, Jesus said (v. 29), “take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” Yes, Jesus has a yoke, but not in the sense one may think. The idea of “yoke” in this passage is influenced by the term “learn.” To understand the Jewish Culture Jesus lived in is to understand the idea of a yoke not only in agriculture (a heavy wooden collar or mantle that fits over the shoulder of the oxen to keep the animal in place), but also in the field of teaching and learning. Sometimes, a student would speak of being under the yoke of a teacher metaphorically (as the yoke represented guidance and direction from the teacher to the student or disciple). Obedient submission to the loving guidance of Jesus becomes the process of taking upon oneself the yoke of Christ. This idea of “learn” is a form of the word “mathetes”, meaning a disciple. So, the challenge is to take upon ourselves the yoke that involves genuinely following Jesus, and walking humbly in His truths.
As we consider being yoked with Christ, consider the blessings. Jesus said, “you will find rest for your souls.” What a marvelous prospect for many who fight daily with the stressors of this life. When we receive His yoke, which reflects HIS Loving lordship over us, we find His yoke to be one of rest.
Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) writes of this passage, “we are to come to Him and learn from Him this rest that He is.”
So, the yoke of Christ calms us and gives us rest as we discover in following Him all we need for life and godliness. Also, the yoke of Christ reveals His gentleness toward us. Jesus said (v. 30) “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” This quality of the yoke is the kindliness that represents the heart our Lord – the heart that rules the universe yet desires to serve and meet our needs. So, being yoked with Christ brings rest, and a journey that is easy and light.
Do these words seem to out of reach, fanciful, or unrealistic? If so, look back at this promise of Jesus again and again. Prayerfully receive His promise by faith. Truly desire to “yoke” with Christ genuinely as His follower. And in doing so, watch the stressors of life fade into a real experience of walking in the rest of our Savior. And under His care, celebrate freedom from the enslavement of the stressful yoke of this world.
BLESSINGS,
Ken
