RTNT Matthew 11

Reading through the New Testament in 2012 M-F   (Link to the Schedule) 

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.”

This passage has always been one that has brought me much encouragement.  It was one of the first passages I memorized and one of the first passages I preached on.  In fact I still have the notes from that sermon dated 1976.

I called this passage the Supreme Invitation.  Christ invites to a personal relationship – come to me.  His invitation goes out to all who are weary and burdened.  We can be weary and burdened with guilt, shame, failure and a host of other internal maladies, but in the setting where Matthew places this call it seems that Jesus gives this appeal to people who were tired of religion as a system.  People who were tired of playing religion like a game children might play in the market place or living under imposed conformity rules that changed at the whim of those in power.

The word rest moves far beyond the physical arena when he describes it as rest for your souls.  This rest is not a cessation from labor or activity because the invitation is to willingly and knowingly take on a yoke.  A yoke is a farm implement used to link to animals together to get more “horsepower” or “oxen power” available to pull something.  It also made the burden lighter on the animals since they had someone to help pull the load.

When an inexperienced animal is first introduced to a yoke, a seasoned veteran of the yoke was linked together with the animal until they learned the pacing and how to carry the burden.

Religion is a tiresome, soul draining burden.  Entering into a personal relationship with the gentle and humble in hearted Jesus is soul restoring for his yoke is easy and the task to be accomplished  is light.

For some reason whenever I read this passage a song from the past softly echoes through my mind and brings a refreshing deep within.

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,

Coming down from the Father above!

Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray

In fathomless billows of love!

Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest,

Marching down the rough pathway of time?

Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark;

O accept of this peace so sublime!