February 4

Matthew 11:20-30 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Observation

Jesus calls for all who labor and are burdened to come to him and find rest.

Jesus commands us to take His perfect fitting yoke and be yoked together with God so that we are not pulling the load by ourselves. Then learn from Jesus’ example of being a gentle, humble servant. He, though God, took the form of a human, obedient to the Father to die for each one of us, a death meant for robbers and thieves, the cross, so that we would be forgiven of our sins. And when we, too, humble ourselves and realize our sinfulness and ask for forgiveness, accepting God’s saving grace through Jesus Christ, then there will be peace with God now and it will be well with our souls, eternally.

When we accept this yoke (God’s purpose for our lives) like a little child, then the yoke will be easy and light because Jesus will be right there beside us, leading and guiding all the way.

Application

Is labor always a burden? Not if it’s labor of love. If it were something I am doing for one of my children, no matter how hard or time consuming, I would do it gladly.
If I am plowing through life, doing things because I have to, or someone is forcing me to, then, it is a huge burden. On top of that, if I don’t meet my expectations or expectations of others, guilt and failure is added and it becomes a greater burden. But if I were to plow through life doing God’s will, with Jesus beside me and I humbly follow His lead because I love Him and I am so thankful to Him for my life now and eternally, then it becomes a labor of love—lighter and easier. I can have peace and joy and rest from worry because of Jesus.

Prayer

Lord,
Help me to accept your offer gladly and take your yoke humbly and not cause friction against it by rebelling and bringing trouble and suffering upon myself. I don’t want to carry the burdens of this life alone or make it heavier than it has to be. Help me to learn from You and obey You as You teach me, guide me, and lead me in the way that produces most fruit and makes my life meaningful. Thank you that I can rest in You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

--Kathleen Hong