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LEARN & GROW
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Week of January 11, 2009
KEY VERSE
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
CENTRAL TRUTH
The very compelling invitation Jesus offered to the crowd — to follow Him, to bring their burdens to Him, to learn from Him, and to find soul peace — is still good for us today.
DEVOTION
A crowd always showed up when Jesus of Nazareth was on the move. In chapters 8-12 of this Gospel, Matthew, the Jewish traitor tax-collector, turned disciple, shows us some of the faces in the crowd. Jesus has just come down from the mountain, where He had taught His earnest followers what discipleship to the Messiah looks like. Now, the crowd gathers again, and Jesus illustrates His word-lessons with before-your-eyes actions. He heals a lonely leper, the sick, the dying, the blind, and many who were oppressed by demons, as well as bringing the dead back to life. Even those of "little faith" have their fears calmed in another miraculous display of the Messiah's power and love. As if these demonstrations aren't enough for the ever "astonished," but uncommitted crowd, Jesus pauses to give a most personal and inclusive invitation to those tag-alongs: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11: 28) He assures the lost, the left-out, the worn-out, and the put-out that they are wanted, loved, and forgiven. They could receive not only good news and miracles, but the Source Himself — Jesus, Immanuel, "God with us." His availability astonishes and woos all who know they have a need, for He "came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matthew 9:13b) Who is tired of trying to look good, be good, feel good? I am; are you? People-pleasers, legalists, and partiers: we can drop our heavy burdens and expectations at His feet! Let's do it! He offers His yoke so that we can learn from Him and find rest for our over-burdened souls. The Lord of all is gentle and lowly of heart; He will not turn us away, nor will He jerk us around. His love-lined yoke will not chafe or scar us, for His commands and the work He has planned for us are for our good. Our teacher is full of compassion for His ignorant and sin-worn pupils. Let's step out of the crowd and rest in Him.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Other translations use the word "meek" instead of "gentle." How does Jesus demonstrate meekness or gentleness in these chapters?
- Why do some of His hearers — and some of us — have such a hard time committing to following Him?
- What do you think Jesus wants you to learn from Him now?
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