The Lord said, “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” (MT 11:28-30). My “Yoke” is easy. What is a yoke? A yoke is a wooden bar that connects two oxen so they can both easily pull a heavy load together. They must walk at the same pace. They must agree to become as one. One can do much but two can do much more. The heavy laden were the yokes of 613 laws, and traditions. This “yoke” was almost impossible as no one could walk, agree or comply with it. The Lord replaced many traditional laws. Just to name a few: The “second mile” (MT 5:41), “new commandments” (JH 13:34), “forgiveness” (MT 18:21-22), “revenge” (LK 6:29). The Lord often said, “The law, Moses, tradition, say, but I say” (MT 5:22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44) His new “saying” replaced old“sayings.”
Jesus now introduces another new saying. He replacesthe heavy laden teaching “yoke” of the law with “My yoke” of new teachings that are easy and light. My yoke gives rest unto your souls. This “rest” cannot be found in laws of labor, but only in the Lord. I don’t mean to “poke” at their “yoke” but it was a “joke.” The “yoke” is on them.
Note the condition for His rest. You “come,” He “gives.” He says, “You “take,” I “make” heavy burdens light. As you learn of Me you find rest unto your soul. What a bargain! Swap unrest and emptiness for His peace and fulfillment. His rest is better than that “pillow guy,” sleep number beds or 2 pills. No God No Peace – Know God Know Peace.
Realize that God has put an unrest and emptiness within you that only He can satisfy. “For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness” (PS 107:9). Do you have an unrest and emptiness because of heavy burdens? Let the Lord replace your empty soul with HIS rest. Then “When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid; yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet” (PR 3:24). His rest is best! There is no substitute for the peace and rest of God. Ah! Sweet Sleep! Yawn…hmm… zzz…Good night! He gives – you take.
(My name is Ted Camp and I approve of this message)
