Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30
[Jesus said,] “Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.”
Thought for the Day: Though the heavy loads and burdens won’t knock you down, they can push you down. They can leave you feeling crushed. Does anyone know that feeling? When you’re knocked down, it usually comes fast. Boom! And you’re down. When someone is under the weight of something, the process of being pushed down can occur over a long period of time. In fact, you may not even notice how you’re feeling a bit lower each day. When Jesus speaks of providing a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light, there are couple of things that come to mind. When the weight of one thing has exhausted you, something light seems like nothing at all. But more importantly, the yoke Jesus is inviting us to accept is a yoke that links us to him. And the work, though demanding, is done for his sake. Suddenly the person yoked to Jesus and sharing in his burden is uplifted as s/he find him/herself participating in something life-giving and joy-sharing. Such work may leave you tired, but your spirit is exhilarated and feeling valued.
Prayer: I am ready to be yoked to you, O Lord, and to accept the burdens of your work. They may require many dramatic changes to my life. They may demand life itself. But I am ready to go. I know such work will not press down, but lift and inspire me. I ask this in the name of the one to whom I am yoked in faith, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Knocked Down By Betrayal
TODAY’S MESSAGE
