Read through the Bible in 2 years: Matthew 11

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:28-29 ESV

I don’t only love this verse today because “Come” is my 2023 Word of the Year. I love this verse because I am often laboring in my own strength. I often feel heavy laden. I am often tired and worn out and exhausted. I often need rest.

Yet, if I were sitting across the table from you and I said to you, “I’m so tired. I really need some rest. What should I do?”

And your answer to me was, “Oh, sister, I hear you! Here, I’ve got an idea. Why don’t you take my yoke upon you? That will make your life easier.”

After wanting to laugh aloud, and after thinking you must have taken lessons from Job’s friends, giving me very bad advice, I might remember Galatians 6:2 ESV — “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” And then I would sincerely thank you and ask you to pray for me and ask you to do some small tasks for me like cook a meal or drive my child somewhere, for that would surely be a blessing!

It certainly is a blessing to have friends to plow alongside, to labor in the field with. Jesus sent out his disciples two by two for a reason. We need friends to help us along this road of life.

But, unfortunately, you cannot truly relieve my burden, for you have your own burdens to bear.

Only Jesus can carry the yoke for me.

Only He can make my burden truly light.

Let’s pray.

Lord, I come. I lay all of my burdens down at Your feet. I cast all my cares upon You. I know that all my striving is for nothing, for Your purpose will stand for You are sovereign and all powerful and all knowing and good. I trust You. I know that I will only find my rest in You. Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light because You are the almighty God, ruler of the universe, who sees me and knows me by name. My soul finds rest in You and You alone. Amen.