Tag: light burden
Blessed Sleep
Scripture reading for August 26: Psalm 3:3-6 “But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory and the lifter of my head. I cried to the Lord, and He answered me from His holy hill. (Selah) I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me.”
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
One of the common health issues of our time is sleeplessness. This malady can come from a number of causes from worry and fear to physical problems like sleep apnea and insomnia. God’s Word in Psalms addresses this issue of sleeplessness coming from fear. The psalmist knows and declares by faith that God is his Shield of protection. Even if thousands were arrayed against him, he could still lie down and sleep because God would sustain him. God would nourish his soul and bring him through the night with refreshing sleep. God would also be his Glory and the lifter of his head when burdened down by worry or fear. When the psalmist contemplated God’s glory, his focus was on the greatness and splendor of God and problems melted into the background.
Jesus gave an invitation to all who were weary and heavy with the cares of life. He invited them to come to Him and cast all their cares on Him. They were to take His yoke upon them and learn from Him. He was gentle and humble and through surrender to Him, they would find the rest that they so desperately needed. If you struggle with sleep issues or rest issues, finding yourself tired all the time, why not take Jesus at His Word?
Prayer: Father God, I come to You at Your Word that promises refreshing and sustaining sleep and rest from life’s burdens. Teach me Your humble and gentle way of living, trusting fully in God to meet all my needs. I will find true rest in You. Thank You Lord! Amen!
A yoke of rest!
Scripture reading for October 8th: Matthew 8-11
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
This portion of Matthew is one I have preached on often and love to return to on a regular basis. It seems that I have a tendency to love to work and take on lots of projects. It is like I have a subtle need to find my worth in what I do or how much I can do. This is hard to admit and even harder to detect the true motives. I must remember that my work earns me nothing because salvation is all grace!
In the time of Jesus, a rabbi was a master teacher whose disciples were training to be like their teacher. When a student was fully trained, he would be like his teacher and could also become a rabbi himself. (Luke 6:40) It was an honor to follow a rabbi and only the brightest and best were usually asked. However, Jesus the “Rabbi”, went among the common people and called those who appeared to be the unqualified. Jesus looked at the heart and took those who were willing to leave all and follow!
The ‘yoke’ of the rabbi was his authority and his teachings. A disciple would learn to follow the master so closely that it is said that the dust of the rabbi was on their clothes. Jesus asked followers to come under His authority received from His Father. (Matthew 11:27) Sickness departed at His word! (Matthew 8:2-3) Demons in people left at His command! (Matthew 8:28-34) Sins were forgiven and a paralytic healed. (Matthew 9:1-8) A dead girl was raised to life at His word! (Matthew 9:23-25) Blind men received their sight at His touch. (Matthew 9:27-31) At His command, the disciples were sent out and miracles were done through their hands! (Matthew 10:1-8)
Following Jesus requires a complete surrender to Him. His ‘yoke’ of authority is easy and His ‘burden’ light. He has all authority and has given authority to us to do His work! We are promised even greater works because He has gone to the Father! (John 14:12-13) Are you under Jesus Christ and His yoke?
Jesus our Rest!
Scripture reading for January 14th: Matthew 11, Psalm 10:1-8, Proverbs 3:7-10
Jesus centered his early ministry in the region around the Sea of Galilee where there were big crowds of people who gathered to hear Him. Jesus had performed many miracles of healing and deliverance for sick and bound people but many people refused to repent of their sins and believe in Him. Jesus spoke plainly to the crowds about their condition and the coming judgment on their sins if they failed to repent.
“Woe to you Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” (Matthew 11:21-24)
Miracles either open a heart to the Lord or harden the heart further when there is no response. They bring knowledge of God’s love and power in a visible form that makes a person more accountable than if they had no personal knowledge. Proud hearts refuse to believe and make excuses for what has happened and bring judgment on themselves in the end. The church of Jesus Christ has been given power to lay hands on the sick and cast out devils as well as to see miracles come from the ministry of the Holy Spirit through His saints. We in the church often feel that this is the answer to all the problems and that great growth would occur if we could just see more miracles. This was not the case with Jesus Christ and His ministry in this part of Israel!
However, for those who will listen and come to Jesus, He promises true rest! “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Repentance and rest bring true salvation!