JESUS' YOKE

Passage: Matthew 11:25-30

Key verse: 29

NIV

The Father Revealed in the Son(A)

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father,(B) Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.(C) 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

27 “All things have been committed to me(D) by my Father.(E) No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.(F)

28 “Come to me,(G) all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.(H) 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,(I) for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.(J) 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”(K)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest

25 (A)At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, (B)Lord of heaven and earth, that (C)you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and (D)revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your (E)gracious will.[a] 27 (F)All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son (G)except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone (H)to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 (I)Come to (J)me, all who labor and are (K)heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and (L)learn from me, for I am (M)gentle and lowly in heart, and (N)you will find rest for your souls. 30 For (O)my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 11:26 Or for so it pleased you well
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Only for little children (25-27)

The world-weary, sophisticated, seemingly smart people did not receive Jesus; they did not repent and accept God's forgiveness and blessing. But Jesus' childlike disciples were men of humble hearts. They were teachable. They simply accepted Jesus and God's word. God reveals his truth and his love to such people.

2. Come to me and find rest for your souls (28-30)

Jesus' invitation is for all who are tired in their souls and burdened by guilt and fear and sin. He takes our burdens and gives us his yoke. A yoke enables an ox to use his strength for a good purpose. It enables him to co-work with the farmer and with other oxen. To take Jesus' yoke means to commit oneself to follow Jesus and to obey his word. Only when we obey Jesus from our hearts can we learn of him and find real rest for our souls.

Prayer: Lord, give me your yoke; take away my burden of sin and worldly anxiety and guilt. Enable me to serve you fruitfully.

One Word: Come to Jesus; take his yoke; find rest