MATTHEW 11:28-30

“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.”

TO PONDER

As a young boy growing up in the country, I was always eager to assist Dad in the yard with whatever job he was doing.  Whether it was trying to help by pushing the lawn-mower to keep the front and back-yards looking neat and tidy, or as I got stronger pushing wheelbarrow loads full of top-soil to be spread on the grass or barrows full of gravel and sand around the back to be used in a cement mixture for a major job, I did my best. However, my strength often failed me and the barrow tipped to one side and spilled the contents, greatly hampering progress! It was so much easier with Dad standing behind me with a hand on each wheelbarrow handle, taking some of the weight, and providing both balance and guidance as he assisted in pushing the barrow to its destination, before we repeated the process over and over until the job was done. 

That experience for me vividly comes to mind as we focus on verses 28-30 of Matthew’s gospel today. We, who are weary and tired from the busyness of this world, and burdened, often with others troubles in addition to our own, are invited to ‘Come’ to our Lord. The invitation extends further to take our Lord’s yoke and let Him teach and help us. Our Lord is our Servant King. He is gentle and humble in heart. He has ultimately served us by His death and resurrection and continues to serves us by walking with us, giving us strength, balance and guiding us. Inviting us to share His yoke doesn’t mean our life will all be ‘sweet smelling roses’, but if we accept His invitation, we are assured that He will continue to be with us to help bear our burdens. 

Just like my Dad, lifting and guiding the wheelbarrow for me all those years ago, our Heavenly Dad bears our burdens daily until we meet Him face to face where we will find eternal rest.        

PRAYER:Heavenly Dad, thank you for being my (and the worlds) gentle and humble Servant King. Thank you for the gracious invitation to ‘Come’ to You, to share Your yoke and find strength, balance and guidance until we are united with You for eternity.  Amen    

Today's devotion written by Shane Burdack, LifeWay Epping