Tuesday's Tidbit

Matthew 11:28-30

²⁸ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Good morning, friends!

As I reached for my cell phone this morning, after hearing the familiar "ding" of a new text message, I almost dropped my phone, knocked over the water bottle I keep on the nightstand, as well as the small bottle of eye drops I use faithfully! It was early, and the text was from my oldest son, who often sends a scripture verse to me. I glanced at the message then laid my head back on my comfortable pillow. Truth was, I was tired, and I'm sure many of you can relate to that feeling today, as well.

Jesus was tired once, "wearied with his journey", the Bible records, so He sat down on a well. His disciples were gone to buy meat, so Jesus took advantage of the quietness and He rested. It wasn't long before a woman came to the well to draw water, and the weary Jesus shared with her how she could draw from His water and never thirst again. Though tired, Jesus took time to minister to another. As a result of the meeting with the Samaritan woman, many of her village believed. I feel certain that Jesus was revived after that!

The highlighted verses for today extend an invitation from Jesus that, if we need rest, "Come unto me". Yet the next verse seems to be a contradiction - if we are coming to Him to rest, why are we taking a yoke upon us, indicating that we are to work? The journey is too great for any of us to make it alone, we need Jesus. The work of God that we are called to do, and are diligently doing, requires His help. 

I heard a minister relate how a farmer would often "yoke up" a young animal with an older one, for apparently two reasons - 1) the elder would teach the younger how to plow; and, 2) the work was hard on the young animal, and the more seasoned animal would share that load. Jesus wants to help us do our work. He is more than willing to help us carry our load.

So, those of us who feel a little weary, whether it be in body or soul, or both, Jesus still extends His invitation, "Come..... I will give you rest."

Until tomorrow, Lord willing, love and prayers to all!