The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
Are you weary and distressed over the world conditions? Perhaps you are working long hours on a job you don’t like. Do you have to work with difficult people? Depression and anxiety are at an all-time high. There are many causes of stress, but Jesus desires for people to live without it. He gives an answer in Matthew 11:28-30. “Come to me, all who are burdened and 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.”
This verse says we can find rest for our souls by taking Jesus’ yoke upon us. So, what is the yoke? In a physical way it is a wooden beam placed behind the neck or head of oxen, mules, or horses, all connected, pulling something together. In a spiritual sense it could be viewed as being “connected” with Jesus through the cares, trials, and hardships of living. He is there pulling with us.
Dr. David Jeremiah writes, “In Jesus’ day, taking the yoke of another meant coming under that person’s leadership and walking in that person’s footsteps. When believers take Jesus’ yoke, they place themselves under his dominion. Only then do his followers enjoy the day-by-day release from stress that God intended”(The Jeremiah Study Bible, 2019, Hachette Book Group, p. 1266).
The contrast in this above passage is between burdens and rest. When Jesus said, “my yoke is easy, my burden is light,” I think he was talking about grace. In II Corinthians 12:9 he says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” A yoke for animals that doesn’t fit well makes the load more difficult to bear. However, the “spiritual yoke of grace” fits perfectly for the burdens of life we all endure.
What heavy laden burdens are you carrying? What stressors are in your life? Come to Jesus and take his yoke of grace perfectly made for you. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Walk in his footsteps in intimate connection, and find rest for your soul!
Take time out several times a day to move into God’s presence for 10-15 minutes. This could include prayer, listening to worship music, reading a Psalm, or doing something that delights or rejuvenates you.
Thank you for your article. This is one example that came to me as I was reading what the Lord put on your heart to say.
The weight of guilt can be a huge burden especially for people who find it difficult to live without letting their transgressions be lifted off them because their shame or disgrace is their focus instead of His grace that is being offered. He comes to us with a gentle but firm strength beyond any measure to lift us up and bring joy to us in exchange for the burdens we put ourselves under.
Our minds can go back to those moments that we want to forget and the guilt of our actions and decisions are haunting us to the point that we can bring it up to the Lord again after He has removed them as far as the east is from the west.
How important it is to remember His words instead of hearing the craftiness of Satan who knows how to make us feel dirty and rejected.
We need to get a grip on the truth that you stated throughout your article so that we experience His peace and see that He satisfies the soul.
Having His presence is a necessity to be overcomes and finding our way whatever life throws at us.
You are so correct about guilt. Another burden for many Christians is legalism.
Hi John,
Thanks for sharing this very important message. And Cora, is right on as well with the “guilt” factor. I know a couple of individuals who are swimming in guilt, and don’t know how to let it go to the LORD, who forgives and is filled with mercy and love.
I enjoyed it, and especially loved your wrap-up, it cemented the values of Christianity while serving as a great reminder to those of faith.
Nicely said!
God Bless~
thanks john