DEVOTIONAL

Last time we looked at how Jesus came down to make Himself available to us. Although the leper’s transformation is incredible, Jesus represents a kingdom that is about more than a single encounter. Jesus invites us into life with Him that extends into eternity. The exciting part is we do not have to wait to start living life with Jesus. The invitation is in Matthew 11:25-30.

Jesus begins the invitation with “come to me” in verse 28. He welcomes every person burned out, tired, defeated, or hopeless to come to Him. The next verses are packed with the promise of Jesus, the ask from us, and how the kingdom of God is different than every other kingdom out there.

Jesus promises to give rest to weary people when they come to Him. Jesus wants to lift the burden off your shoulders. There is not a weight too heavy for Jesus to remove. In verse 28, did you pick up on the actions of “come” and “give” to describe what Jesus promises to people who accept His invitation? Name another king who uses this model. There is none like Him. Then, Jesus asks for two things, in return, from us. It is our response. We are to “take” and “learn” from Jesus. Even though it sounds backwards from the way of society and culture wherever you go, believe it. This is the way of Jesus.

When we accept the invitation from Jesus, we trade our burdens for His easy yoke and give our lives to learning from Jesus. The language Jesus uses is very relatable to the agrarian society who first heard these words. I was not familiar, but quickly learned with research the yoke is a wooden beam used to join two livestock at the heads for working together. The yoke helped pace the two side by side to stay in rhythm with each other. One could not veer in another direction without taking the other in the same direction. When I think about being yoked to Jesus, it gives me a lot of peace. He sets the pace. Jesus decides when we turn, pick up the pace, slow down, or take a rest. I keep in step next to Jesus by learning more about Him from the Bible, loving others, letting others love me, and talking to Jesus.

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.

Matthew 11:29

Finally, Jesus explains how the kingdom of God is different. I love Jesus is open and honest. We do not have to wonder or piece together clues to figure it out. Jesus says in verse 30, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” What does this mean? The yoke, or wooden beam, I picture as what represents the kingdom of God. For example, love God and love people. When I read the word “easy” I think peace. The kingdom of God is not meant to discourage or wear out, but comes to give abundant life (John 10:10). And the burden is what Jesus asks of us. I find Micah 6:8 explains this best which says, “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” The burden is light because Jesus walks with us. He takes every step too.

Jesus invites us into life with Him that extends into eternity. The kingdom of God is about life and peace. The burden lifts off my shoulders when I choose to walk in step with Jesus. Are you weary or burned out? Jesus invites you to lay all your burden down and come to Him. I have not found anything else like the kingdom of God. May you accept the invitation of Jesus and experience peace as you find a rhythm back in step with Jesus.

Q: What is the burden you are carrying? Will you lay it down at the feet of Jesus to find rest in Him today?