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Someone recently asked the question, "Matthew 11:28-30 is not clear to me. What does Jesus mean here?" Matthew 11:28-30 states, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Some times this passage can be somewhat confusing, because the individual is tired and weary, yet, he is called upon to take on a yoke. However, notice that the passage begins with an invitation, "Come unto me." The position that Christ has, as the Son of God having all authority (See Matt. 28:18) and knowledge, makes this invitation all the more meaningful. Any one can give an invitation, however, this one comes from the only begotten Son of God. Matthew has emphasized this point over and over again, that being, that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Son of God. Only God could make such statements, as he makes, and Matthew is clear that Jesus has backed up those claims with divine power. Therefore, the invitation that is extended in these passages is not an idle one, but rather, one coming from the divine Son himself for all men every where. |
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The labor and the rest spoken of here refer to the heavy weight that one shoulders due to sin. Sin is a spiritual burden. Isaiah told of the Israelite people (Isa. 1:4) and called them a sinful nation, laden with iniquity. When a person is laden or burdened and weary with sin, there is only one to whom he may go to receive true and lasting help, and that is Christ. We must turn to him, because he, and he alone, has the answer to the problem of sin. We, therefore, may enjoy the benefits of his sacrifice on the cross and our sins can be taken away; our burden can be lifted from our shoulders through obedience to his word. Also, keep in mind that when we turn to Christ out of an obedient faith that our physical lives are changed for the better, as we continue to live the Christian life. However, the Lord's emphasis here is primarily focused upon the fact that Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). |
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The means of accomplishing this is the "yoke" of Christ. Just
what does Jesus refer to when he uses the term "yoke?" The yoke
refers back to the use of oxen and their heavy labor. In biblical literature
the yoke came to mean a variety of things. For instance, the yoke at times
referred to the "yoke of bondage"(Lev. 26:13), afflictions that
were being suffered (Lam. |
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Though Jesus' invitation is directed specifically to the Jews, who
suffered under the yoke of Judaism, his invitation applies to all that suffer
due to the guilt of sin. This gracious invitation reached out beyond Jim Laws
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