Session 5

I will give you rest

From Promises: A 30-Day Devotional

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

The yokes oxen wore were bulky, wooden harnesses that allowed them to pull farming machines. Weighed down by their yoke, the work was exhausting — even for a big, strong ox.

We don’t need to have seen a yoke to understand what it feels like to be burdened. The burdens of life weigh us down and wear us out. What Jesus offers us is an exchange: Take off the yokes we’re carrying and attach ourselves to Him instead. Jesus promises that when we work alongside Him, we’ll find rest for our souls. No longer weighed down by our old burdens, Jesus teaches us a new way of operating and brings purpose to what once felt like meaningless toil.

Reflect: 

• What’s wearing you out or weighing you down?
• What would it look like for you to exchange your yoke for Jesus’ yoke?