"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 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 11:28-30 (NASB)
These verses are an invitation to those who are beaten down and weighed down in their souls. In this oppressed condition, a Christian might consider himself to be so miserable that no one wants anything to do with him, including God, but this is not at all the case. Believers in this burdened and overwhelmed condition are precisely those to whom the invitation is given. God says, "Come to Me."
This sincere and open invitation presents a precious picture. I think of a small child who is crying. Perhaps he has bumped his head or had his feelings hurt or has been scared by a near accident. As a loving adult sees the child, he opens his arms and says, "Come here." What follows is a time of gently holding that child on one's lap, allowing him to rest his head against one's chest, kissing him, caressing his face, speaking soothing words, and letting one's shirt be soaked with his tears until he is calm.
This is a picture of our Savior and our God. He invites us to come like that and to rest in His arms. His response is gentle and loving because He is "gentle and humble in heart." In place of the weariness and heavy burden, God provides rest - not just physical rest, but "rest for your souls."
His gentle and humble nature makes Him a wonderful consoler and an easy teacher. It isn't an oppressive burden to learn from such a One. His nature also makes Him a good teacher and mentor - One whom it is very profitable to imitate. The process of imitation of our Savior helps us to learn His character. We become gentle and humble as well, and through that transformation, the burdens are lifted from our souls, and we have rest.
Troubled souls? Heavy burdens? Heed the invitation. Come to Him. Rest in His loving arms. Lose the burden, and take His peace instead. "Come to Me."
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