Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Perseverance”
Our Bible verse for today: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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 (NIV)
Our thought for today: “Depend on Jesus to help you.”
Matthew 11:28-30 is one of the most inviting promises in the New Testament and it is one of my personal life verses. I find myself coming back to this one frequently.
There is an explanation of this illustration Jesus used here that I have offered before in my books and in these devotionals messages, so some of you are already familiar with it. But it’s an explanation that I think is very helpful in understanding the important point Jesus was trying to make here. Therefore I believe it’s worth revisiting again this morning.
The people Jesus was speaking to in this scene lived in a farming culture. Therefore they were used to seeing pairs of oxen yoked together as they plowed a field or pulled a cart. In every team of oxen there is always a lead ox and a follower ox. The lead ox is bigger, stronger, and more experienced. The follower ox is usually younger, smaller, and less experienced. The job of the lead ox is to carry most of the load and to provide the direction needed. The job of the follower ox is to walk alongside the lead ox, help to carry the load, and follow the guidance of the lead ox.
In this illustration Jesus was saying to us, “Let Me be your lead ox.” “Yoke yourself to Me and we will walk through life together. I will carry most of the load and I will provide the direction. You just stay next to Me and we will do this together.”
The lesson here is that life is always easier with Jesus than without Him. Whether that life is lived in a shack in a remote region of Africa, or in a mansion in Beverly Hills, life is always easier and better with Jesus than without Him.
In life we all have times of great joy and rich blessings, but we all also have times of trials and struggles. We need Jesus in the good times and in the bad, but especially in the bad.
As you continue to deal with whatever your circumstances are, I encourage you to stay close to Jesus. Take His yoke upon you. Walk side-by-side with Him through all the days of your life. And make sure you are letting Him carry most of the load for you.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 