Matthew 11:25-30
²⁵At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. ²⁶Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.
²⁷All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
²⁸”Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
²⁹Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Devotional
God gave Jesus, his Son, as the only way to eternal salvation. He sent Him to save us (John 14:6; 1 Timothy 1:15). It’s so simple, that even children understand that Jesus is the Way (Matthew 11:25).
On the other hand, many do not understand it, the mystery of the Gospel remains hidden from them, because it cannot be understood by the natural mind.
Therefore, it is implausible for those who want to understand everything first. Their thinking is an obstacle. They lack the receptivity and dependence, necessary to make use of the grace that God offers. They want to believe in their own greatness, and invent the way, and the goal themselves, and walk the way in their own strength.
Jesus warns us that we cannot enter God’s Kingdom unless we become like children (Matthew 18:2,3). We can thank God for showing us, and for allowing us, to enter by grace (Matthew 11:26).
For it is wonderful to know that God is so good that He grants us to see it, and that we may enter.
What Jesus says in Matthew 11:28 to 30 fits in with this.
This must apparently lead to the enticing invitation: Come to Me, all who …, and then follows the description of the real condition of the people: weary and burdened. It is already a liberation to be able to see that and to want to acknowledge that, because it does not help to keep yourself big.
Many, if they are honest, have to admit that they are dead tired of life, which has not given them what they desire. Tired, too, of straining to master sin.
And they are burdened. They can hardly carry the burden of reaching their destiny. Or of all the duties and rules that people impose on one another (cf. Matthew 23:4).
But Jesus’ yoke is easy and His burden is light.
That is not the case because His demands are less far-reaching. That is the case because what He asks is found in Himself. What He asks, He also wants to give Himself. Jesus leads us in the way He points out.
Question
- What is still standing in your way in your relationship with Jesus?
Prayer Suggestion
- Thank the Lord that the gate of His grace is wide open for you too
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