Peace, tranquility, intermission, a period of rest to recoup and regroup is very much needed today in our ‘go and keep on going world.’
Activity after activity, event after event, many times keeps out spirit, soul; mind will and emotions and our body on overdrive.
Jesus also had a super hectic schedule during the time he preached all over Galilee. On one occasion it was said that the crowd of people was so much that he and the disciples didn’t even have time to eat or sleep.
In the midst of this hectic schedule, Jesus said to his disciples;
Matthew 11: 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
This profound statement contains so many wonderful promises, let’s looks at some.
1. The Master has a yoke that the servant is required to willingly take upon himself
2. The yoke is a place of learning about the two arms of the character of the Master’s heart: Meek and lowly or meekness and humility.
3. When the servant takes this yoke; he develops his character and his heart to be like the character and the Master’s heart then the servant will find rest in his soul; mind will and emotions.
4. The Master’s yoke is easy and His burden is light.
The soul of man is the part of man that gives the individual a unique flavor and character. The emotions; feelings of man, the mind; the thinking process of man, and the will of the man; the decision-making part of man are all part of the soul of the man.
This is the part of the man that Jesus seeks to give rest too.
How is this possible?
Let’s review what a yoke does. A yoke is a wooden device that is used to bring together two animals to do a work in sync, in unity, together. When yoked together the strength of the united animals is stronger than the individual animal. The workload is shared between the two animals this makes it possible for them to work faster and longer and get more done within a shorter time frame. Since the work load is shared the animals are not exhausted at the completion of the task they remain in a good state.
In the same way, Jesus is saying to us today, I will give you rest in your soul and the way I do it is by you becoming yoked to me. Jesus is not going to put on us a wooden device rather, He is teaching us His character and way of thinking and doing things and as we live in that same way, we encounter peace joy strength in our soul. The things that burden and weigh other people down will not affect us because we are yoked with Jesus.
The two arms of the yoke are Meekness and Humility or Lowliness of heart.
Meekness is the ability to not lose your cool in the face of provocation. Moses was regarded as the meekest man on the earth. He faced many daily provocative confrontational situations as he led the Israelites in the desert for 40 years. Constantly, he was able to stand and plead the case of the rebellious people before The Father and to ask for mercy for their errors. However, the one time he yielded to his emotions, his ways and his own idea, that was the end of his ministry on earth.
Humility is the ability to receive instructions from God and do it joyfully. It is the ability to submit your will and thoughts and plans to the will of Jesus which is also The Father’s will thoughts and plans.
Holy Spirit is living in us now and Jesus said:
John 16: 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Allow Holy Spirit to guide you into this truth. He will show you Jesus; the word of God and as you obey the word, Christ becomes formed in you and your character is changed into His character day by day.
Jesus gives us rest for our soul however before you can enjoy that rest you must have a relationship with Him.
Have you received Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
If no, you can choose to receive Him now; Say with me Lord Jesus come into my heart. I confess my sins and accept you today as my Lord and Savior. Take my life and use it for your purpose on the earth.
Do you want rest for your soul?
Are you willing to take Jesus’ yoke upon you?
Put it on right now – put on meekness and humility and receive rest for your soul.
Remember the two arms of the yoke - Meekness and Humility; don't leave the house without them – and you will receive God’s rest in your soul.
Enjoy the day wherever you are in the world.
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