“For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:30 NLT)
Realizing the articles I’ve posted the last few days have been a little heavy, let me shift my focus to something that will, hopefully, lighten your load as a believer. As I’ve shared with you before, I’ve walked with the Lord for a long time, but I’m finding in my later years, there’s a sweetness in my communion with God that is peaceful, restful, and quite enjoyable.
There’s a sense in which the longer we walk with Jesus, the more child-like we should become. Now, notice I didn’t say “childish,” but “child-like.” What might that look like? When my daughter was small, she would sometimes get tired on our family walks. She would make her way around so she could be in front of me. She’d focus her beautiful eyes right into mine, and say: “Carry me, daddy.” Of course, I’d scoop her up and set her on my shoulders without hesitation.
She never gave me “20-questions” about – Are you strong enough to lift me? Are you going to stumble and drop me? Do you really exist? Etc. She fully trusted me to do what she asked me to do, without fear of any kind. Why would she do that? Because I was her daddy, and she knew I loved her and wouldn’t intentionally hurt her in any way. I hated it when my kids were in pain (still do ☹) and would do anything in my power to help them feel better.
That’s essentially the attitude behind Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT): “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
If you’re weary or burdened, please pay special attention to what Jesus is inviting you to do. Notice, first, He says: “Come to Me, ALL of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens,” Aren’t you glad Jesus has no favorites! Jesus loves each of us equally, as though we were the only one on the planet for Him to love. Jesus alone knows the depths of your weariness, sorrows, pains. He alone has exactly the kind of rest and relief you need for exactly what you’re feeling and experiencing.
Next, notice He invites you to “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Yokes in Jesus’ day were specifically fitted for the two animals who would be wearing it. If you’ve ever looked carefully at a yoke, each side of it is designed with the specific ox or animal by whom it would be worn. God’s heart can “see” your heart and knows how tiring what you’re going through has been. He has a “yoke” specifically fitted for you that, when you’re partnered with Jesus, will fit you perfectly and will allow you to be restored.
Jesus wants to teach you how to relax and let Him pull the weight of your burden. That’s why He said: “For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” If you’ve ever been in a three-legged race, when one of your legs is tied to the leg of the person with whom you’re partnered, the harder you “fight” your partner, the more likely it will be that you’ll fall. But when you’re walking in sync with your partner, it’s not hard at all, it’s quite fun.
Being yoked with Jesus is liberating, rather than restrictive; it’s enjoyable, rather than being a burden; it’s instructive, rather than demanding, because the One who knows you best, and loves you most, wants to see you thrive in this difficult season you’re experiencing, not simply survive.
In this final season of my life, I have “burdens.” I’ve lost a significant amount of hearing in my left ear. I have a very good memory, it’s just not very long 😊. My get up and go seems to have gotten up and gone. I’m having increased difficulty driving at night, due to the brightness of the lights of oncoming cars. But my spirit, being yoked with my Savior and Friend, the Lord Jesus Christ, is light, free, and unencumbered. I’m able to sense the Lord’s presence nearly every moment of my day, feeling His strong arms undergirding me and often carrying me. I’m learning in this season that my life is actually getting better and better.
Whatever your burden today, bring it to Jesus. He loves you! He’s for you! He sees you and He’s inviting you to be “yoked” (partnered) with Him, in order that you might enjoy life in ways you never imagined possible. He’s done all the “work,” you just need to come to Him and let Him give you the soul rest you’ve been trying to find in all the wrong places.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 