Words about the WORD - Russell E. Scott - Albany Church of Christ
FINDING REST BY TAKING ON A YOKE
Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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 shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light (Matthew 11:28-30).
Jesus offers rest for the souls of all who are weary and heavy-laden if they will take on His yoke. The Lord’s invitation is to all who are weary, tired, and struggling in life. Jesus promises rest to those who come to Him and take on His yoke of submission to His authority, by way of discipleship of learning from Him, loving Him, serving Him, honoring Him, following Him, obeying His teachings and commandments. Those who do will find rest for their troubled and tired, weary and heavy-laden souls (vv. 28-30).
Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me…” (v. 29). Jesus’ yoke is metaphor for discipleship. Submitting our lives to His authority as Lord of our lives. Submitting our lives to the authority of His teachings and commandments. Learning from Him, loving Him, serving Him, honoring Him, following Him, and obeying Him and His teachings (cf. John 10:27; 14:15; Luke 9:23). The neck of self-will must voluntarily be bent low to take on and receive Christ’s yoke.Our weary and tired souls find rest physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, by taking on Christ’s yoke. Victory comes through Surrender! (vv. 28, 29).
Jesus then says next, “For My yoke is easy, and My load (burden) is light” (v.30). Jesus’ yoke is easy, and His load is light, because we become teamed up with Him when we take on His yoke. Jesus helps to strengthen us as He carries the weight of life’s burdens for us. In Him we find the strength and courage to live the Christian life. The teachings and commandments of Christ are not oppressive or burdensome (cf. John 14:15; 1 John 5:3; Deuteronomy 10:12,13).
In essence, this passage is a powerful invitation to place your trust and obedience in Jesus. And all those who take on Christ’s yoke, will find rest for their weary and heavy-laden souls. What a paradox! Finding Rest by Taking on a Yoke; Christ’s Yoke! (vv. 28b, 29b).
Like Augustine said so long ago, “Our souls, O God, were made for Thee, and never shall they rest until they rest in Thee.”’
Are you weary and heavy-laden today? Is your soul troubled and tired? Come and take Jesus’ yoke on you, and you shall find rest for your soul.
By, Russell E. Scott
