Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 on biblegateway.com
Verse 16"But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, Verse 17'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.' Verse 18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon'; Verse 19the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds."
Verse 25At that time Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; Verse 26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. Verse 27All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Verse 28"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Verse 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Verse 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Devotion
Is your life’s load more than you can carry sometimes?
Earlier this week, Psalm 145 laid out God's qualifications as 'burden-bearer.' Today we get the best reason of all: "I will give you rest." Jesus doesn't promise to take away our problems or permanently erase our stress. But he does offer us comfort, gentleness and assistance. And more than that, he offers us himself as an example: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me." Learn how to fully trust God's plan for you. Learn how to live for others, not yourself. Learn how to pray. Learn how to take joy in small things. Learn how to think like Jesus.
Walking with a disciple’s yoke isn't always easy. But, Christ promises, if you do you will never bear your burdens alone.
Prayer
Gentle Lord Jesus, thank you for offering us a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on, arms to lift us up and footsteps to follow. Amen.