Matt. 11:28-30–Jesus Gives Rest

Matthew 11:28-30–"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from 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."

There is no doubt that it could be confusing to consider that what brings rest is to take Christ's yoke upon us.  It is then of great value to understand what Jesus means of when He speaks of a 'yoke' and 'burden' but it is of even greater value to realize that these things are light and easy.  The heart of this matter is that Jesus gives rest to those who are weak and heavy laden, however, it is tremendously liberating to know that to receive this rest involves a simply posture of praise: come to Christ and receive from Him rest.  It is about submission and deference to He who is.  Although it may seem odd, my most immediate and animal response to such information is to take a large, relieving breath.

Thank You, Lord!!!

Isaiah 61:3–Garment of Praise Instead of a Spirit of Despair

Isaiah 61:3–"to bestow on the a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.  They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor."

This passage is a prophecy is all that Jesus will be granted to do for those who come to Him by faith. If I may be vulnerable for a moment, lately I have felt despair and mourning, I have felt far more like ashes than beauty.  It was in this state that this phrase, a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair, was brought to my mind.

While it may seem little, this passage, this phrase hit me square as if an arrow of truth had pierced the very center of my heart.  It occurred to me that not only is this passage about all that Christ will give to those who are His; it is also a strategy for dealing with despair.  In other words, if I am downtrodden with overwhelming despair praise is the remedy.

I want to be honest here, my experience confirms two things in regard to this idea.  The first is that when I am overcome with despair it is difficult to utter praise.  Conversely, however, I have found that it is true that praise will most assuredly pull me from a place of despair and put me in a new place of worship and humility before the Lord.

In all of this, I can only say, "praise be to God!"  For it is only right that we should find our surest relief in uttering praise to His glory.  My exhortation, then, for any who may find themselves covered by a dark despair is that they would strive to praise the Lord.  For in worship we will seek His face, trust in Christ, and sing to the glory of His name.  And each of these things will have the positive effect of taking us out of our despair by inclining our hearts to God.

Take up Jesus' Yoke for Rest

Jesus said this in Matthew 11: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from 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."  (Matt 10:28-30).

Many people quote the first part of this passage, more commonly spoken as this: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest...For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  Unfortunately, this neglects the weightier part of this passage, chiefly, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me..."

Jesus is talking about peace and He is talking about peace, but He is not saying that we should lay down from work or rest from our labors.  On the contrary!  Jesus is exhorting people to come to Him so as to rest in their work, true work that is found in Him.  This is what He means.  Jesus uses unambiguous language here.  He is, actually, telling us that we will work but that our peace and rest will come through the work we do for Him.  Let us always remember this if ever we feel tired and broken down!