Matthew 11:28-30
A yoke is a hefty wooden piece of gear that fits over the shoulders of an ox or a set of oxen. It is appended to a piece of hardware the oxen are to pull. A "heavy laden" creature has a major burden to pull. A “heavy laden” individual might be troubled with (1) sin, (2) religious leaders with extravagant demands (Matthew 23:4; Acts 15:10), (3) abuse and oppression, and (4) exhaustion in the quest for God. People experience some type of burden each day. Burdens can even come from our work, family, finances, physical ailments; the list goes on and on. Jesus liberates individuals from these weights. This rest that Jesus promises is healing, love, and harmony with God, not the elimination of all exertion and effort. A relationship with God changes trivial work into spiritual efficiency, productivity, reason, and purpose. What are we to do about our burdens? Tell Jesus your burden: Find time to pray. Jesus went out…and prayed.
Sometimes it is more important to pray alone. Jesus went up into a mountain apart to pray.
God hears everyone. The Lord will hear when we call unto Him.
Be sincere (intense) in prayer. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man.
Give Him your burden:
Move our focus from the burden to the burden bearer: Try not to worry.
Keeping our focus on Christ. Ananias & Sapphira. Their sin was lying to God and God’s people.
Having the right attitude. The Israelite’s lack of faith caused more wondering. They would not stop wondering because they kept focused on their fear.
Change focus from ourselves to worshiping God. Asaph cried to God during distress. He pleaded that he needed help, but then he changed his focus from himself, “I”, to that of worshipping God (verses 13-20).
Some burdens we must bear, but Christ will send help. The body of Christ, the church, works and functions better when the children of God cooperate for benefit of all.
The strong should help the weak. For one day the strong may become the weak and will need help. This may not mean in physical strength but in spiritual strength.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
September 2023
Categories
All
|