Easy Yoke (Matthew 11:28-30)

Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Since Christ’s promises are always guaranteed, why is it then that we keep getting weary and burdened? Why aren’t we getting that rest?

The clue lies in the next verse, “Take my yoke upon you…” Notice that Jesus didn’t say “I’ll take all yokes from you and you will have no more burdens.” Instead he says, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Yes, Jesus promised us rest, but in order to receive that rest, the key is to imitate him in gentleness and humility.

How was Jesus gentle? We ask. 1 Peter 2:23 says that “when he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”

And How was Jesus humble? Philippians 2:8 says that Jesus “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Humility and gentleness involve submitting to God, both in our action and inaction: action in obedience, inaction in trusting God the Almighty to vindicate and rescue us. God is God, and we are not.

So, Jesus says, “take my yoke,” but here is the best part in verse 30, “for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” That means, if the burden is heavy, it is not from God. Let's say that again...

If the burden is heavy, it is not from God.

What then makes our burdens heavy? Is it worry? Temporal ambitions? Our pride? Lay down your heavy burden. Come to Jesus and say, “Here I am Lord. Your yoke is easy, and your burden is light, so in your name we rest. Amen.”

(This 2 min sermon was prepared for my Preaching class)

Image: Studying on a winter night