Dave's Diary

Prayer

Before you read, I invite you to pray this prayer based on Psalm 119:120

Lord, I am in awe of You and Your righteous decrees,
I am speechless in reverence.
Teach me Your ways, that I may truly live.
Amen.

Briefly prepare your heart in silence, and ask the Holy Spirit to awaken your awareness to the voice of God, coming to you through His Word.

Reading

Matthew 11:28-30 

Jesus’ words are so familiar and so lovely!

²⁸ ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ 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. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’

These verses offer a wonderful description of discipleship in which Jesus applied a common Jewish metaphor. The Jews regularly used the yoke that bound two oxen together as a symbol of submission and surrender to either a guiding principle or person. They would speak of someone taking upon themselves the yoke of the Law, or the yoke of the commandments, or even the yoke of God.

We could say that a disciple of Jesus is someone who has recognised their own inability to overcome the stranglehold of sin and brokenness through self-improvement, self-actualization or religious effort, and has therefore come to Jesus, weary and worn-out from the effort. Coming to Jesus, they have willingly submitted to His ministry and to His leadership in a way that “yokes” them to Him relationally. This means that, like a young, inexperienced ox yoked to an experienced ox, the disciple is bound to Jesus relationally (not religiously); and in that relationship of surrender, the disciple learns from Jesus, has their steps directed by Jesus, and is strengthened by Jesus for every step.

When Jesus adds that He is gentle and humble in heart, and that His yoke is easy and His burden light, He is encouraging us, as disciples, not to submit to Him begrudgingly or fearfully. He is inviting us to trust that He will never lead us by bullying or forcing us into submission. Rather, He will lead us with a light and gentle touch. And the responsibilities He places on us will never rob us of life, they will always fit the gifts and abilities with which He has empowered us.

Wonderfully, as we follow Jesus’ gentle, humble leadership, we will discover that He leads us in a way that brings life and deep, abiding peace – in His words, rest for our souls.

Contemplation

Please take time to ponder what Jesus has commanded us. Turn these declarations over in your mind. Keep them in mind throughout the day and live in step with Your King, Jesus.

As a disciple of Jesus Christ: 

• I will trust Jesus,
• I will joyfully submit to His humble, gentle Leadership.
• I will follow His relational direction each step of the way.

Lord Jesus, I surrender afresh to Your Lordship. Please guide, direct and empower me to follow Your lead. Amen.