28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” — Matthew 11:28–30
It has been more than a year since our lockdown began and most, if not all, would agree that it has been an exhausting journey. From very restricted rules to modified ones, changes and adjustments were constant. I realized that ‘just staying at home’ is more than just staying at home as it challenged me to manage my time and re-evaluate the relationships, as well as plans, which I thought were okay. Our tasks are not easier we gained lots of it and our energy is depleting as we try to thrive on this tough season — we become weary. With the current complexity of life is a great Savior speaking a promise as simple and refreshing we could want on Matthew 11:28.30.
Come to Me
Jesus simply offered himself as he said, “Come to me”. These words mean believing in who he claims to be and what he can do for you. It is coming and surrendering to Jesus because we know Him, we believe Him, we trust Him, and we rely on His promise which implies a power behind it more than enough to lift what weighs us down.
Achieving Rest
We find rest in hope and knowing that he’ll give us rest, he gives us hope. Jesus is the one answer to every doubt, fear, concern, and need we’ll have. As He promises us rest, why does he tell us to put on his yoke and learn from him? What work must we do for him that supposedly will give us rest? Believing and abiding — this is the work God requires us to do. John 6:29 “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent” and John 15:4 “Abide in me” answers these questions. Faith — believing and abiding — is resting on the hopeful promises of God. Jesus made it possible for us to learn from him how to live by faith when he became human and dwell among us. Therefore, Hebrews 12:2 tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
If you are exhausted for whatever reason and no matter how complicated it is, Jesus invites you to come. Come and take his light yoke of believing in Jesus. Believe, abide and follow Jesus’ example — this is the only yoke that will give us rest for our souls.
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Razel Anne Angat
3/24/2021