Heavy Loads Made Light

by

Bible Reading

Matthew 11
Hebrews 4

Devotional Thoughts:

Hebrews 4 describes the rest that is available to believers. On December 14 I talked about this passage and the connection I saw to parenting. The rest of the believer, I believe is related to obedience and staying “inside God’s circle of safety.” Here in Matt 11:27-30 Jesus uses another illustration that I believe relates to the same concept. He describes a yoke and a burden.

When is the Christian life burdensome? Similar to children, life is hard when you don’t want to obey, or when you choose to disobey. So too, the Christian life is a burden when we don’t want to obey, and instead prefer to follow our own desires. Jesus says, “Come to me all of you who are tired and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28) How does that happen? How does coming to Jesus when we are tired and heavy laden, give us rest?

Earlier in Matthew 11 is the story of John’s disciples coming to Jesus and asking him, “Are you the one, or should we be looking for another?” John sent them to ask that question because he was tired and heavy laden. He had been obedient, he had done everything he thought he was supposed to do. But in payment for his obedience, he was in prison, facing imminent execution. And it made him question if he had been following the right person. Matt 11:19 after describing all the messianic works he had been doing said, “God’s wisdom is shown to be true by its results.”

Rest comes when we can take our heavy load, give it to Jesus, and leave it there! How do we take our heavy load to Jesus? By applying truth. The truth of Rom 8:28-29 God has promised that everything he does is working for his glory, and for our good!

Prayer points

  1. Cast your burdens on him 1 Peter 5:7
  2. Live according to the truth. Everything God does is out of love Psalm 25:10 and is for our good and His glory (Rom 8:28)
  3. May you find his “light load” and “easy yoke” as you as you trust Him.

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