Our scripture this morning is Matthew 11:25-30.
At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way! My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Jesus prayed alone and in public, giving us the lesson that prayer is acceptable to God no matter where or when we offer it to Him. Prayer is one of the ways we can be blessed by God’s presence and while He already knows everything in our hearts, there is healing when we share. It is an essential part of our faith and trust in Him.
Jesus offers the promise “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (v. 28). He isn’t speaking of the daily work we do to earn a living, but the spiritual burdens of sin and unbelief we carry. We can be free in Christ to live as He taught, loving God and each other.
Our faith is a promise to Him in return, that we listen to His teaching and obey what God asks of us. Jesus says “my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (v. 30). This doesn’t mean we won’t face difficulty in this life, but that God will bless us to be good stewards of His word and His love, sharing with others the joy we have found in Him.
Heavenly Father, we are thankful for the gift of Jesus our savior and the love He brought to us. Help us to live by faith, following His example. In Your name we pray. Amen.