25-26 Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: “Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.”
27 Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. “The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I’m not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.
28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
(28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”)
Matthew 11:25-30
Questions for Reflection:
What is your default of the word “repentance?” Have you ever thought of it as being a good term or good thing? What about this “yoke?” Are you tangled and trying to “plow your field” alone? Can you picture yourself – in the field of your life, with all of the different hats and entanglements – with Jesus there waiting tenderly for you to turn toward Him and let Him help you and put His yoke upon you?
Prayer of the Week:
(Note: This week’s prayer is designed with 15 second pauses built in so when there is a pause don’t let it surprise you. The idea is that after each prayer section we take a short time to personally engage more fully what was just prayed.)
Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I praise and thank You for the opportunity to be in Your gracious presence in this moment. Jesus, restore me in You and renew me in You. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, saturate me in Your Love, saturate me in Your Life. Untangle me from my anxious thoughts, untangle me Jesus, untangle me. I am Yours and You are mine.
Jesus, I pause now to check my thinking and turn my mind towards You. Heal my thinking, help me notice the tangles in my mind and soul and to invite You in to every situation, concern and anxiety that occupies me today. Jesus help me do this now.
(15 second pause)
Jesus, I give everyone and everything to You. I give everyone and everything to You. You are God... I am not. I give everyone and everything to You. Jesus help me do this now.
(15 second pause)
Jesus, I ask for Your protection from the evil one over my spirit, soul and body, my heart, mind and will. I now take my place in Your authority and bring the rule, reign and work of Jesus between me and all people and their warfare that only the things of the love of God and Spirit of God pass through to me. Jesus help me do this now.
(15 second pause)
Jesus, I rest in the security of Your love and presence. Thank You for loving me. Help me rest in the comfort of Your invitation to me to stop striving and simply come to You. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Jesus, help me be at rest with You now.
(15 second pause)
Amen
