King Jesus and the Queen City

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” The reason He can say this is because all authority has been given to Him from the Father (v27). We do not come to a religion or a doctrine, but we come to the person of Jesus, who named the stars and yet still came first to us through the incarnation. Our ONLY place for hope and rest is Jesus.

We should take His yoke (v29) because it is easy. A yoke was a bar that went across animals to link them together for the work that they had to do. A yoke was also the teaching of a Rabbi from that time. The teaching, or yolk, of the Pharisees was impossible and defeating, but Jesus’ yoke is one of grace. Instead of impossible law, there is life-giving teaching.

Jesus is such a stark contrast to the Pharisees. The Pharisees were created beings that puffed themselves up and stood over their students with an arrogance about them. In contrast, Jesus was the creator of all and He is humble and humble in heart.

As you walk through the “bad tired” of life, remember that in His presence we find strength. Cease from trying to “be good”, and rest in Him. That is where you will find renewal and hope.

To discuss as a family today

1. What causes your soul to be weary?

2. What do you do to try to soothe your weary soul?

3. Why do we look to the world to find rest?

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for loving me and for coming to me through the carnation. I praise you as the one who restores my soul. Father, I confess that I am weary and heavy laden because of __________________. I choose to come to you and lay that at your feet. Thank you for the grace You give of a light burden. I will choose to rest in that today. Too often I look to the world to find rest, and I confess that it doesn’t work. Today, I will take your yoke upon me.