Thursday, July 20, 2023
Where to Find Rest by Kay Crumley
Matthew 11:25-30
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to infants. 26 Yes, Father, because this was Your good pleasure. 27 All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son desires to reveal Him.
28 “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
The opening phrase in this passage alludes to the previous verses in Chapter 11. Jesus confirmed that John the Baptist was indeed the one sent to prepare the way for the Messiah as prophesied in the Old Testament. Yet, they did not believe John. Jesus then chastised the people from the towns where He had performed miracles for not believing who He is either. In His prayer to the Father, He reveals that they didn’t believe because “these things were hidden from them”. Those people who thought they already knew it all didn’t think they needed to believe in Jesus. This is referring to people who believe they can figure out life without God. He is not opposed to education. But the people who are trusting in their own knowledge and rejecting their need for God to provide answers to life’s challenges. Jesus was pleased that God the Father chose to reveal the truth to those who are infants or babies just like us. We must have the trust in our Heavenly Father that infants have in their parents to have the answers, keep them safe, trust they will not harm them, and provide the best for them. The only way to know and have access to God the Father is through trusting the Son. God hides things from self-sufficient people who do not seek His wisdom. Verse 27 explains that the only one who has access to the Father is Jesus, His Son, and the Son grants access to any to whom He reveals the Father.
The focus verses for this devotional are verses 28-30. When we finally admit we need help, rest, or support to carry the burdens of life, we must turn to Him. Only He can give you rest. This is a call to place your life in His hands, accept His gift of eternal salvation. Then you can enjoy His provision of forgiveness and eternal life. He offers instruction as you “hook up with Him.” A yoke was a wooden bar with harness attached that sat over the neck of two beasts of burden like oxen. The farmer would place a young, inexperienced animal in a yoke with an older, stronger, more experienced animal. That allowed the young oxen to learn how to do the work from the older one and teach it mature behaviors in that yoke. The less experienced animal would come under the submission to enable them to perform the work of the farmer. When we are yoked together with Jesus we learn how to live. How to mirror the behavior of Jesus. There you will find rest. Rest comes in finding your salvation in Him and in experiencing living your daily life to please Him. Jesus promised that His yoke is easy because He carries the majority of the load thus making His burden light. He doesn’t promise to remove the burden. We will have challenges and face difficulties in life. However, we are not required to carry those alone. He promised in Isaiah 41:13 For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’
A heavy suitcase is easier to move when it has wheels on it to roll along. That is the way Jesus will make our burden lighter, He puts wheels on them so they are easier to deal with. Believers are taught that we are to Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). We do that as we pray for, provide encouragement to, and support as God provides other members of the family of God.
Find rest and true peace in the salvation offered through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
