“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. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”(Matthew 11:29-30)

Some of us are so burdened by life’s pressure that our concept of rest is a complete escape from all responsibilities. Although that’s not a bad idea for some of us., passivity and escape aren’t what Jesus had in mind when He was speaking to His followers.

To illustrate his concept of rest, Jesus, in Matthew II, paints a word picture of a pair of oxen pulling a wagon. Typically, a pair consists of a mature, experienced ox and a young one just learning how to work. The mature ox does far more of the actual work to pull the load. The young animal’s task is to figure out how to walk in tandem with the older ox so that they don’t pull against each other.

Jesus Christ invites us to get in the yoke with Him and learn to pull alongside Him. When we have difficulties figuring out how to pull our weight and how to walk along with Him, He doesn’t scold us. He’s gentle and humble, patiently reminding us of who’s pulling most of the load. Many of us are so tired because we’ve been pulling our own wagons, or we haven’t yet learned to walk in tandem with Jesus Christ as we pull together. Learning this lesson brings peace, relief, rest, and a heart full of thankfulness for Gods leading and strength.