Come to Me

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls." 

Matthew 11:28-29

These sweet words of Jesus have been playing in my mind over the past week.  Many Christmases, I am full of happiness, delight and energy.  I love to decorate, cook, sing, host events, shop, hang out with friends and go, go, go. 

This year is different.  This year I feel weary.  All around me people suffer as they lose loved ones, struggle with deep depression, encounter spiritually lost relatives, fight cancer and more.

This + my busy schedule = one emotionally weary woman.  

A few days ago as I studied Matthew 11:28, I noticed something new.  I had always read this passage thinking Jesus was talking about non-believers coming to Him, believing in Him and finding rest through salvation.  While I still believe that is true, I think there is more to it.

It says "come to Me ALL..." Jesus is asking "all who are weary" to come to Him, no matter who we are, Christian or non-Christian. And it does not say "this is a one-time event."

So, what does it mean to come to Him?   It means to talk to Him and give Him our lives.  It's not fancy, it's not complicated but for me, it's something I need to do on a daily basis.  Oh I believe in Jesus and have for years but every day my human will tempts me to "do life my way."

Then in verse 29, He says "take My yoke upon you and learn from Me."  According to Websters Dictionary, a yoke is "a frame that is attached to the heads or necks of two work animals so that they can pull a plow or heavy load."

Jesus is asking us to allow Him to custom make a yoke so we don't have to plow alone.  Jesus will be in the harness next to us, helping us, which makes the burden less.  He won't force His way on us, we must come to Him and sit under His way.

Notice this yoke is custom made. My yoke won't work for you and I should not try to put mine on you.  You will have your own.  

Once we are plowing together, verse 29 says we learn from Him.  We learn as we study His Word, the Bible.  We learn as we pray, as we wait for answered prayer.  We learn as we make mistakes and ask for forgiveness.

He teaches us more and more the longer we endure our heavy load together.

Verse 29 goes on to say "I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls."  

Ahh rest.

That is what I am looking for this Christmas season.  Christ has given me the answer.

All I have to do is put myself in His care with His rules and His love and He promises me rest.

So, instead of pulling the comforter over my head this morning,  I got on my knees and went to the Lord. Yes please, dear Jesus, I want rest.