Solution to the Restlessness of the Soul.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavily 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.”
Without question for any person who is weighed down with the world’s burdens and oppressive concerns, consider a careful analysis of the lifestyle of Jesus from Nazareth. Whether one sees Him as the Messiah from heaven or not, Jesus is on record as having the only solution to the restlessness of the soul.
Jesus as the Son of Man understands perfectly the burdens of this world and the burden of sin and the devastation it causes. Sin has the power to destroy what God and His Kingdom are creating, His redeemed Family. Our good news is Jesus according to Scripture has already defeated sin.
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil. Hebrews 2:14
Every living soul who is now spiritually regenerated must now claim and practice this victorious benefit that Messiah has granted His faithful followers. None of His followers have to carry the burdens of this world, sin, and death. He did it fully and completely.
“We do not rest because our work is done; we rest because God commanded it and created us to have a need for it.” Quote by Gordon MacDonald
Learning to Walk Closer With the Master
When we think of a yoke, we often think of bondage, servitude, or grueling work that will drive us into the ground. Some may recall the movie in which Samson, blind and bald, struggles to push a huge grindstone, and every step of the way is painful. In reality, however, a yoke is nothing more than a tool to do a job, and a well-designed yoke allows the user to work at maximum capacity and efficiency. Most importantly, our Savior has offered us His yoke.
Just as two oxen may work together in the yoke, Jesus is also closely working with each of us. We need to picture ourselves sharing the same yoke as Jesus, like a couple of oxen with a load to pull. We should also add to this scene God the Father as the teamster, just as we saw in verse 27 that He has given Christ “all things” needed to get the job done. Jesus is right beside us in the yoke, working diligently to guide us and pull His share of the load to ensure that we finish the job.
What is our reward? Verse 28 says that He will give us rest, “rest for your souls,” as verse 29 adds. Jesus’ yoke is one of rest, the same rest that is discussed in Hebrews 3-4—the rest of God in His Kingdom!
Then, in verse 30 appears Jesus’ heartening proclamation, “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Jesus has already cut the road, so all we have to do is to follow His lead, and we will find rest from all of our burdens.
The promised Rest that the Messiah grants come about by each faithful follower maintains and enhancing the sense of security and peace that flows from a right relationship with God, the Father, through obedience to His Son, the Messiah, and membership in His kingdom.
“Our Walking in the Messiah does not depend on people, places, nor things, just a willful determination toward faithfulness!” Quote by, Alon ben Shefer
Casting our Burdens Upon the Lord
“Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” Psalm 55:22
There are four basic yet necessary spiritual disciplines that those of us who are yoked to Christ must do at all times while we are walking in the Messiah.
Unwavering Prayer
“Save me, Oh God, for the waters have threatened my life. I have sunk in the deep mire and there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters and a flood overflows me. I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched; My eyes fail while I wait for my God.” Psalm 69:1-3
Daily meditation and study of the Living Word of God
“My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4: 20-23
Worship and sing high praise to God
“…but be filled with the Holy Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father:” Ephesians 5:19-20
Become attached and actively involved in a community of prayerful and faithful group of fellow saints.
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Proverbs 19:20-21
“It is precisely in times of spiritual dryness that we must hold on to our spiritual discipline so we can grow into New Intimacy with God!” Quote Henri Nouwen
Grace and Peace
Brother Alonzo
Study material used to assist with the compilation of this blog post:
Article by Ronny H. Graham, Being yoked with Christ. Bob Kelly, Worth Repeating: More than 5,000 Classic and Contemporary Quotes. Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ, Dallas Willard. Holy Bible. The image of the yoke is not mine.