In The Word
Read: Matthew 12:8-21
Lord of the Sabbath
8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
9 Departing from there, He went into their synagogue. 10 And a man was therewhose hand was withered. And they questioned Jesus, asking, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might bring charges against Him. 11 But He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 How much more valuable then is a person than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”13 Then He *said to the man, “Stretch out your hand!” He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.
15 But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. Many followed Him, and He healed them all, 16 and warned them not to tell who He was. 17 This happened so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet would be fulfilled:
18 “Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen;
My Beloved in whom My soul delights;
I will put My Spirit upon Him,
And He will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel, nor cry out;
Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.
20 A bent reed He will not break off,
And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish,
Until He leads justice to victory.
21 And in His name the Gentiles will hope.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Nowadays, it takes a lot of work to make ends meet. Most families have both parents working to make a living, and sometimes even that is not enough. It is times like these that we must encourage ourselves with these words of Jesus, “Come unto me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Jesus has made this promise for all of us who are overwhelmed with our workload.
Yokes were a piece of equipment placed on a pair of oxen to help pull a plow. The yoke would bind the two animals by the neck, therefore decreasing the load from one animal onto two. Jesus is illustrating the point that He wants to join with you in your labors.
Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary (worked to exhaustion) and heavy laden (carrying a heavy load), and I will give you rest (take ease, refresh).” How will He do this? “Take My yoke (let Me join with you in this labor) and learn (study and observe) from Me.” Jesus wants to help you in this labor; together you will learn to lean on Him, and He will make your burden light.
Jesus says that His yoke is not harsh; there is no chaffing, irritation, vexing or exasperation! There is no burden in a relationship with Christ. So, the next time you feel an overwhelming pressure from work, remember that Jesus is ready to help; He’s right there ready to share your burden!