Weekly Devotions

Matthew 11:28-30

One of the realities of life is there is no escaping having burdens to carry at one time or another. We all know what it means to have a load that we struggle to handle.

Sometimes the load is life because of moments when we feel overwhelmed. Sometimes the burden is a situation where every option is less than favorable but we know we have to do something. Sometimes the burden is bad health and we have to navigate through life the best we can with limited ability.

The entire world is dealing with the burden of a health pandemic that has claimed the lives of thousands around the world. People of color living in America have to deal with the burden of race.

In a world known for burdens and the toil they take upon persons, Jesus says come unto me all ye that are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Jesus offers an exchange where we give him our burdens and he gives us his yoke. The burdens are what we have been struggling with to carry alone.

However, the yoke comes with the promise of one who will be with us always. The yoke comes with the promise of help. The yoke equally distributes the weight and allows us to make progress not possible under the burden carried alone. The rest that Jesus gives is the rest that comes from a yoke that makes burdens light.

Jesus does not promise that there will be no weight in life that we have to labor under. What Jesus promises is that he will make the burden light. The burden will not inhibit our progress or hold us back.

The good news is that no one has to struggle under the weight of a burden they carry alone. We have a Savior ready and willing to help us when we come to him and exchange our burden for his yoke that makes all burdens light.