In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says what my heart needs to hear!
Come to me, all who labor and are 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.
Our stained glass window, “Come Unto Me,” is taken from this text. Dane Ortlund, in his new book, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers, says, “In only one place—perhaps the most wonderful words ever uttered by human lips—do we hear Jesus open up to us about his very heart” (p. 18). This passage is that place.
“We are not told that he is ‘austere and demanding in heart.’ We are not told that he is ‘exalted and dignified in heart.’ We are not even told that he is ‘joyful and generous in heart.’ Letting Jesus set the terms, his surprising claim is that he is ‘gentle and lowly in heart.’”
Ortlund elaborates: “Jesus is not trigger-happy. Nor harsh, reactionary, easily exasperated. He is the most understanding person in the universe. The posture most natural to him is not a pointed finger but open arms” (p. 19). Gentle, lowly—Christ’s very heart toward you!
Jesus speaks with irony: he gives us a yoke (i.e., an instrument of work) so we can rest. Restful work; an easy burden! Make no mistake, there is labor in following Jesus; there are neighbors to love, and a cross to bear (Luke 9:23). But any and all struggles we face out of faith in Christ are directed for our good. In fact, the “loss of life” in cross-bearing is the path for entering into true life (9:24). Ironic.
Don’t miss Jesus’ imperatives: “Come!” “Take!” “Learn!” Imagine the Great Physician giving you a prescription: “Take this medicine, you need it to live.” We don’t put the pills in the closet and forget about them. No, we take them—gladly, with deep thanks.
So it is with Matthew 11:28-30, and especially in today’s tumultuous age of pandemic and social unrest and political chaos (etc.)! We all need to go to Jesus—continually. Take his yoke. Learn from his lowly heart of trust in the Father. And be assured that he is with you—and with us as his church. Ask Jesus to speak peace to your heart today.
