The Yoke of Learning
Finding Rest by Following Jesus’ Gentle Guidance
SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV - (28) "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) "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. (30) "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
OBSERVATION:
Jesus mentions the word "rest" twice in these verses. The first instance is when he says, “I will give you rest.” The second is when he states, “You will find rest for your souls." Additionally, Jesus uses the word "yoke" twice. The first time, he says, “Take my yoke upon you.” The second time, he reassures, “For My yoke is easy.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV - (28) "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) "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. (30) "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
OBSERVATION:
Jesus mentions the word "rest" twice in these verses. The first instance is when he says, “I will give you rest.” The second is when he states, “You will find rest for your souls." Additionally, Jesus uses the word "yoke" twice. The first time, he says, “Take my yoke upon you.” The second time, he reassures, “For My yoke is easy.”
The ancient Jews commonly used the idea of yoke to express someone’s obligation to God. There was the yoke of the kingdom, the yoke of the law, the yoke of the command, the yoke of repentance, the yoke of faith, and the general yoke of God. In this context, it is easy to see Jesus simplifying and saying, “Forget about all those other yokes. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me.” – Adam Clarke.
The word easy is in Greek chrestos, which can mean well-fitting. In Palestine ox-yokes were made of wood…The yoke was carefully adjusted, so that it would fit well, and not gall the neck of the patient beast. The yoke was tailor-made to fit the ox. – William Barclay
The word easy is in Greek chrestos, which can mean well-fitting. In Palestine ox-yokes were made of wood…The yoke was carefully adjusted, so that it would fit well, and not gall the neck of the patient beast. The yoke was tailor-made to fit the ox. – William Barclay
To train a young ox to plow, it would be paired with an older, more experienced ox. The older ox would lead the way, and the younger would learn how to plow from its example. The older would handle most of the burden and steer the plow, while the younger follows and learns to bear the load alongside it. Jesus would similarly illustrate this point.
"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."
The essence of rest lies in the word 'upon.' When we accept His yoke, He bears our burdens. Our yoke involves toil and weight, but Jesus’ yoke is gentle, and His burden is light.
The answer to everything Jesus said is, "Come to Me.”
"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."
The essence of rest lies in the word 'upon.' When we accept His yoke, He bears our burdens. Our yoke involves toil and weight, but Jesus’ yoke is gentle, and His burden is light.
The answer to everything Jesus said is, "Come to Me.”
“‘Come,’ he drives none away; he calls them to himself. His favorite word is ‘Come.’ Not, go to Moses — ‘Come unto me.’ To Jesus himself we must come, by a personal trust. Not to doctrine, ordinance, nor ministry are we to come first; but to the personal Saviour.” – Charles Spurgeon.
APPLICATION:
Have others' expectations burdened you? Do you feel overwhelmed trying to meet their demands? Have you worked tirelessly yet still can't find peace? Turn to Jesus and accept His yoke of learning. Remember, He is gentle and humble in heart. If someone else's burden feels heavy and lacks kindness, it's not yours to bear. Jesus said, "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Struggling to find rest? Turn to Jesus! You will find rest for your soul. Embracing His yoke of learning allows us to truly rest, freeing us from the need to earn God’s approval, since we already have it as part of Jesus’ team.
PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, for embodying humility and gentleness of heart. Thank you that Your yoke is easy and Your load is light. When burdens from others become overwhelming, help me to abandon that yoke and embrace Your yoke of learning. In doing so, I will find true rest.
Have others' expectations burdened you? Do you feel overwhelmed trying to meet their demands? Have you worked tirelessly yet still can't find peace? Turn to Jesus and accept His yoke of learning. Remember, He is gentle and humble in heart. If someone else's burden feels heavy and lacks kindness, it's not yours to bear. Jesus said, "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Struggling to find rest? Turn to Jesus! You will find rest for your soul. Embracing His yoke of learning allows us to truly rest, freeing us from the need to earn God’s approval, since we already have it as part of Jesus’ team.
PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, for embodying humility and gentleness of heart. Thank you that Your yoke is easy and Your load is light. When burdens from others become overwhelming, help me to abandon that yoke and embrace Your yoke of learning. In doing so, I will find true rest.
True rest comes when we accept Jesus’ yoke and let Him bear the weight with us.
Posted in Matthew