Come To Me...!

Come To Me…!

Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to Me… and I will give you rest.”

Who of us doesn’t want a little rest?! Why is it so hard to find rest in our lives? Could it be that we’re looking in all the wrong places, from all the wrong people, and for all the wrong reasons? Let’s break down a few scripture verses (Matthew 11:28-30) that will give us the What, Who, How, and Why of finding rest for our very souls!

This passage starts out by telling us exactly what to do: Come to Me! That’s a command statement! It’s not a suggestion or a question. It’s a direct command telling us that we are to come to Yahushua, because He is the one speaking directly to the crowd of people that was gathered around Him. He was letting them know that they had a choice but that the only way to get Him was to make the right choice, the relational choice, and He was the object of that relationship.

Before He tells them what they’re going to get out of this relationship, He let’s them know that He understands who they are, how they feel, and what they’re going through. He says He is speaking to all who’ve grown weary by laboring so hard to do all the right things, those who feel the enormous pressure to meet up to the unrealistic standards placed on them by the world and even the church, and those who’ve become weighed down and worn out from carrying the heavy burdens of self-inflicted expectations.

Have you ever felt that way? Do you know that Yahushua is promising you rest for your very soul if you will come to Him? Your soul is the seat of your mind, your will, and your emotions. You can find rest for your thoughts, your choices, and your feelings only when you come to Him!

Sounds good, doesn’t it!? But HOW do we come to Him?! Like a green horse being ponied by a seasoned old veteran school horse. 

Yahushua instructs His listeners to take His yoke upon them and to learn of Him. The imagery He’s using here is off a 2-oxen yoke - but since we’re horse people, let’s think plow horses! On one side of the yoke you have a seasoned and knowledgeable plow horse. On the other, the newbie - the young horse who’s just learning how to plow. Jesus is essentially saying, “Hitch up with Me! I will show you the ropes! It’s not that hard really, and the yoke isn’t uncomfortable. It’s actually very well-fitting and it sits so suitably to your back that it will enable you to pull all the weight you need to pull easily, without chaffing, hurting, poking or pressing you harshly. You can be my apprentice! I know what I’m doing and if you will just allow yourself to be hitched to Me and work alongside of Me, you will catch on quickly and will be able to do all that you need to do by becoming stronger and more knowledgeable every day.”

Isn’t that awesome?! He is going to work right alongside of us! We will be partnered with Him as we learn and grow! And it works because of WHO He is! He says that He is gentle and meek, not weak. His kind of gentleness implies great power and ability that is used wisely and thoughtfully, never to harm, but always to help. And He is humble and lowly in heart, showing us that we are to live the same way - being fully dependent on YHWH and not on self. 

And when we are yoked with Him He promises that we will find this rest - relief, ease, refreshment, re-creation, and blessed quietness - for our very souls! Why and How? Because His yoke is easy and His burden is light! That doesn’t mean that these’s not a lot of work do be done or a lot of weight to bear. What it means is that He is the one carrying the load and teaching us how to walk with Him - the very way in which He walks. His kind of “easy” means that it is for our good (read Romans 8:28) and His kind of “burden” isn’t a burden at all! 

When we come to Him, He will give us rest. The outcome of our work, when joined in tandem alongside Yahushua, is beautiful productive blessing for us and those around us. Let us come to Him today!

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