Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Rest ~ what a relaxing word.
I'm one who loves to nap so the word Rest means to un-flex those muscles, give it all away to no worries, close the mind for a bit, and just be. When pregnant with our third child is the first time that I went through a Lamaze class. The one thing that was taught was how to relax by just mentally letting all the parts of the body go limp. Think about letting the arms just feel limp, no muscle needed, then the hands, then the legs, then the head, or somewhat in that order. I would think that is what Jesus means about him giving Rest. Just let it go, and lean...(as Pooh might say - no bother). Just go to him for 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.
Yoke ~ to me is not a relaxing word. It reminds me of someone controlling me. And, my human side would want to resist anyone who would want to yoke me, and try to control my movements. But the Rest that Jesus is saying is so comforting because he is reminding of how he cares for us. If we let him take control, have an invisible Yoke, and submit to his gentle and humble heart that I know would not in anyway want to control or hurt. He only wants the best for people.His yoke is easy, and his burden is light.
All his yoke is that he ask that we Love, and tend to the ways of a gentle Jesus. Loving and Kind.
Since reading the Bible steady, since 2014, I'm learning so much about how easy Jesus' yoke can be. However, my human-ness gets in the way, my thoughts get in my way, and I am side-lined constantly. Jesus knows this, and I truly appreciate his gentle and humble heart because he is a forgiving God. Just reading the Old Testament is ~testament~ to how many times he forgave; even if he punished for a bit, he always forgave his chosen people.
As this passage from Matthew shows, we can go to God with anything on our hearts. The Rest is there, we just have to take it. Relax and enjoy his rest.
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Peabea
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I am so grateful we can go to God with anything at anytime. And He lightens our load and gives us His rest. May you have a day of Sabbath rest!
ReplyDeleteI love your explanation of this verse. I like the idea of Lamaze deep breathing all throughout life! My son was sick this week with pneumonia and there was very little rest in our house. It made me realize how used to routine we get and how busy we let ourselves be until stopped an "outside" force. It was a gentle reminder so slow down.
ReplyDeleteToo often, we want to fight against that yoke. Love all the truth in these verses!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to be back here with you all after being in West Africa the last two Sundays!
ReplyDeleteI learned that same method for physically relaxing while in High School drama class - it's stayed with me all these years. Soul rest is something I have to more conscience of.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pea Bea ... A lovely devotion, honey to my soul!
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