Matthew 11:28-30
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
What of Today’s Verse…
A yoke–for two! All through His earthly life Jesus was saying: take My yoke. What was His yoke? It was surely His desire to do the Father’s will. This was the watchword of His life (Joh_5:30; Joh_6:38). So persuasive was His appeal, that the sons of Zebedee left their father and boat; Andrew and Simon their fishing-nets; and Matthew his toll-booth to become His disciples.
Women forsook their sins, and men their ambitions, in order to become His humble friends and followers. Saul, the proud young Pharisee, heard His appeal, and abandoning everything that might lead to high honour and worldly success, counted it his highest glory to be associated with Christ in redeeming a lost world. But this association or fellowship requires agreement, identity of purpose. “Can two walk together except they be agreed?” (Amo_3:3). Hence there can be no fellowship between light and darkness; between the Christian soul and the unbeliever (2Co_6:14-18; 1Jo_1:6-7).
The Yoke means subsoil ploughing. The salvation of a lost world, or of one human soul is no child’s-play. Christ saw before Him the hard surface of mankind, the spirit of man caked over by long years of neglect and resistance. Before salvation can be effected the subsoil has to be turned up, and the thoughts of many hearts revealed (Jer_17:9-10).
The Yoke means fellowship. The Divine and the human united in feeding the five thousand; in turning the water into wine; in the raising of Lazarus! There has never been an island redeemed from cannibalism to service for Christ, or a paralytic cleansed and healed apart from the co-operation of the Divine and Human. Yoke-bearing anticipates the Harvest. So we plough the furrow in Hope, knowing that one day the Harvest will be ripe, and One like unto the Son of Man will thrust in His sharp sickle and reap. What joy to share in that Harvest-Home!
Let us Pray:
The fetters Thou imposes, O Lord, are wings of freedom. Put round about my heart the cord of Thy captivating love. Bind me to Thyself as Thou bindest the planets to the sun that it may become the law of my nature to be led by Thee. Amen.
Words of Wisdom
Grace
I am blessed by the grace of God.
Holiday joy is in the air–my home decorated for the season, children radiating their excitement and expectation, holiday parties and programs planned. But there are times when the joy of the season eludes me. Perhaps I’ve experienced the loss of a loved one or I am missing family members far away.
At such times I turn within and affirm the power of God’s grace to bless me. It is the love of God that fills my life with joy and peace. It is the grace of God that blesses me in ways beyond what I have asked for, beyond my hopes and expectations. My faith in God invites divine grace to inspire me with love, joy and contentment this holiday season.
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ.–1 Corinthians 1:4
