Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Matthew 11:30
Our Sins
Jesus was the sin-bearer for us as the Apostle Peter wrote that “he himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1st Pet 2:24), thereby “canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross” (Col 2:14), so our heavy burden of sin that we would have had to bear in hell for eternity has been taken up by Christ for our sake (2nd Cor 5:21).
Our Troubles
Jesus tells all who have burdens, and that would include all of us, “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” (Matt 11:28-30). Everyone has some burdens in life so why not come to Christ and have Him carry what you cannot carry by yourself.
Our Needs
Ever feel overwhelmed by life and the needs that seem to be like four walls closing in around you? I know I have but Jesus again wants us to come to Him and “not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing” (Matt 6:25), “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear’” (Matt 6:31) but only “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matt 6:33).
Conclusion
If we want to carry the load ourselves, then we’re taking the whole yoke upon us with no help from Jesus. A yoke was a device that spread out the burden or weight of the load so Jesus wants more than to just help us bear the load; He wants to take it all, because His “yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt 11:30).
