The Road to Restoration
Matthew 11: 28-30
I would like to start by sharing with you an anecdote told by Chuck Swindoll:
There was a father who worked very hard who had an energetic son. When the father would come home late in the afternoon his son would expect a mandatory play session. One particular afternoon the father was very tired so he quickly cut up the front page of the newspaper into many pieces. The image was a recent shot of the world from space. He gave it to his son with the challenge to piece it together. The father relaxed in his chair hoping to rest till dinner. Within the space of a few minutes his son returned with the picture assembled and taped together from behind. the father being surprised asked his son how he was able to assemble the picture so quickly. "Well you see dad, (the son explained), on the back is a picture of a man. So I put the man together and on the back was the picture of the earth."
Keep that story in the back of your minds and I'll return to it later.
This brings me to the passage I would like to speak on - Matthew 11: 28-30
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
This is probably one of the most popular passages from the NT. Its message is as fresh and relevant as it was when Jesus first spoke these words. We will observe three main points from this passage:
1. Refreshment v.28
2. Relationship v. 29
3. Restoration v.29-30
1. REFRESHMENT
The Call and the Caller
The passage commences with Jesus making a call 'COME' v.28. Some say that this is a wonderful invitation. The Greek word used for 'come' deute, is an imperative , that means, it's urgent and commanding 'Come now! Come!' is what Jesus is saying. Its not a nice option, it is a call for attention and action. The same word is used in Mark 1: 17 when Jesus says to some of his disciples 'Come. follow me and I will make you fishers of men.' It is Jesus calling. This is important to note. Throughout the three verses Jesus refers to himself 8 times. He is the focus- He is central because He says 'Come to ME'. Even the word 'to' v.28 in the Greek is full of meaning. It means 'towards, facing'. We are to look and move to Jesus - looking at Him - facing Him all the time.
The Called
And who does Jesus call? v.28 'All' - that is everybody. It is all inclusive. The call goes out to everyone.Jesus then identifies those who belong to the 'all' - 'the weary' v.28. When you consider these two groups it includes every human. It includes those who believe and those who don't. Who are to come? ALL and the all is made up of those 'labouring' (Weary) and 'weighed down under the pressure of a heavy weight' (Burden), those who are actively and passively under it. That means everybody. There is not one person who does not come under one of these two categories. It includes people who are: aching, hurting, alone, under financial pressure, physical burden, emotional stress, experiencing sorrow or grief, oppressed, repressed, depressed, disillusioned, troubled by guilt and sin.
Unfortunately there are many who either wont acknowledge they are labouring or burdened, or don't want to give up their condition - it becomes a focal part of their identity.
Illustration
This reminds me of my young daughter - My youngest daughter has this pink back-pack which she loves dearly. At one stage it was her morning ritual to fill this back-pack with anything and everything. She would fill it to the point where it was crammed to the max and then she would try and carry it on her back. The back-pack weighed as much as her but there was no way you could convince her not to wear it - she loved her burden.
Some hide their pain and sorrow, while others run to everything, anything or anyone but Jesus. If you are feeling overwhelmed Jesus is calling you. If you are depressed, if you are hurt, if you are in pain, if you are troubled, if you are busy or self-contented, if you feel guilty, if you are working in your own strength, if you are lonely or stressed, Jesus is calling You!
C.S. Lewis once said, 'God whispers to us in our pleasure. God shouts to us in our pain. Troubles are God's megaphone to wake us up.'
The Comfort
This is where refreshment comes. Jesus goes on to say 'I Will Give You Rest' v.28. This is a promise which is personal and individual. What an exchange - your burden for his rest! The Greek word for 'Rest' is a verb, it means to refresh, reinvigorate, revitalise. What Jesus gives us is beyond what we can imagine. He takes us and pours His Spirit into us. We are given living water, Isaiah 55:1-3
“Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
3 Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
The passage doesn't end at verse 28. This is only the beginning and leads to the next point.
2. RELATIONSHIP
In one sense verse 29 is the central point of the passage. Jesus refreshes us so that we can proceed to what comes next - and what comes up is all about relationship - v.29 ' Take My Yoke Upon You and Learn from Me.'
Union
We are called to be actively united to Jesus. 'Take' v.29. The Greek word is imperative - it is something we are called to do decisively - its not a take it or leave it.And how are we united to Jesus? The verse tells us 'Take My yoke Upon You'. We enter into relationship with Christ by taking His yoke on us. This implement 'the yoke' is the means of union. The Greek word refers to the wooden object that is placed on an ox in order to use it in labour. Besides this it is also a coupling device in which two ox were joined together to work as a team. It was frequently used for training a young ox to an older experienced one. This is the picture we have.
The Yoke itself is called His yoke - it belongs to Jesus. It is made by Him. And traditionally each yoke was made specifically for each individual ox - it was shaped to fit. Christ the Master Carpenter has tailor made our yoke. Each one is truly made to measure and custom built. The yoke is divine - it can be thought of as the Holy Spirit. He is the one who unites us to Christ. He holds us in our daily walk.
The Balance was important for the yoke. The Greek word for 'yoke' zugon also is used for a balance. just think - we are united to Jesus in all that we do. the King of Kings, the lord of Glory, The Creator - it is he who is shoulder to shoulder with you and me. If you haven't taken up the yoke yet it's time. Moses was blessed to have God touch him whereas we can be side to side and shoulder to shoulder with Him. This is what I call an intimate relationship - it is 24/7. Although we are called to do the work with Him, He is the one who carries us.
Jesus praises us and blesses us for pulling the plough and in reality it is Him. Remember, 'As we wear it, we share it.' We need to trade religion for relationship. The human condition needs relationships.
Christ is unlike any other - don't opt for a one size fits all religion or an off the rack religion or even your own self-designed religion. Go to our Maker who knows you and me better than we know ourselves. A relationship with Jesus is rich and rewarding - nothing can compare to it. All others are cheap imitations. For those who are united with Him make sure you maintain the balance. Don't try to shoulder the load in your own strength. Look to the Spirit to keep you close to Christ and rest in His power to perform His work and daily walk with Him.
Action
The second aspect to a relationship with Jesus is 'action'. This comes across in verse 29 where it says, And Learn From Me'. The Greek word for 'learn' mathete shares its root with the word 'disciple'. The learning we are called to do is not so much an intellectual head-knowledge active. It is learning on the job. Don't sit and vegetate. Relationships have to be active. It is not a matter of contemplation, though there is a real time and place for that, it is a matter of participation. The NT is filled with the fact that faith is a living thing- it is life. Our whole being - body, soul and spirit is to be engaged in it. A healthy relationship requires words, thoughts and deeds. Jesus teaches us how to do it - we can walk the walk because we walk with Him and learn directly from Him. Make sure your relationship is direct - one on one. As we live with Him we learn from Him.
It is sad to think of those who are alone in this world. Even those who have crowds around them and are occupied, when they are left entirely to themselves they realise there is a hollowness that nothing in this world can fill. For all the world tells us to look out for me, myself and I. There is the flip side to independence.
Illustration
The band Green Day's number one selling album 'American Idiot' features the song 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams'. Here are some of the lyrics:
I walk a lonely - The only one that I have ever known
Don't Don't know where it goes - But it's home to me & I walk alone
I walk this empty street - On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps - and I'm the only one & I walk alone
I walk alone, I walk alone, I walk alone, . . .
My shadow is the only one that walks besides me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone
We don't have to walk alone! In Jesus we have a friend who sticks closer than a brother. And that's not super glue - it's God's glue!
3. RESTORATION
It doesn't end at that. Jesus adds grace upon mercy and glory upon grace. We are first Refreshed by Christ, then Related to Him and thirdly we are Restored in Him. The nature of our restoration comes in and through Jesus. Verse 29 continues 'I Am gentle and Humble in Heart, and You Will Find Rest for Your Souls.' Our restoration comes from:
Salvation in the Person and Work of Jesus
Gentle and Humble. This is the nature of Christ the Saviour. He restores us by changing us - by making us like Him. He is full of compassion, mercy, humility and love.
Jesus is Gentle v.29. Only a true lover knows gentleness. It is only the strong who can be truly gentle, for gentleness is a conscious act. gentleness has thought for the other. The word in the Greek can be translated 'meek'. Meekness is a grace and Jesus was the living manifestation of Grace and Love.
Jesus is also, Humble v.29. His humility is such a part of Him that He says that He is, 'Humble in Heart' v.29. This is the only reference that Jesus makes to His heart. It was as a result of His ability to be humble and come to earth to serve and save that we are able to be restored to God. Christ was humiliated for our salvation. His humble heart was a suffering heart and His suffering heart is a saving heart. I pray that we share in knowing Jesus' heart as the centre of our salvation.
Rest for Heart and Soul
'You will find Rest' v.29. There is a well known saying that says, 'Association breeds Assimilation'. Being with Jesus should make us more like Him, but it is better to say 'Regeneration breeds redemption'. Jesus gives us a new heart and thereby our souls are truly restored. as a result of this we have Rest. The Greek word in verse 29 is not the same as v.28. Here it is a noun - it is something that relates to our eternal state. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We can stand before God acceptable in and through Jesus Christ. Relationship with Jesus is the key to Restoration. And Jesus calls us to this. This frees us from guilt and the heaviest weight - Sin. Jesus stands in contrast to the Pharisees and lawyers who placed the yoke and burden of the Law on people, (Mt. 23:4; Lk. 11: 46). They were proud and arrogant, whereas Jesus is gentle and humble. This reminds us of those who He calls - whoever you are and whatever your situation or condition - look who is calling you.
Liberty in Living and Labour
'For My Yoke is Easy and My Burden is Light' v.30. Here is the power of god. When Jesus gives us liberty in the truest sense. Here is what seems to be a pair of paradoxes: Yoke = Easy and Burden = Light
Note the Greek word for 'easy' is chrestos - it is so close to the word Christ christos with only one letter different. And this is what comes with Jesus' yoke.
This is the nature of Restoration. In a relationship with Jesus we can find Joy in Union to Him and liberty in Labouring with Him. The secret to the puzzle is in the work MY - My Yoke is Easy and My Burden is Light! To live and labour in and with Jesus makes life meaningful and labour joyful.
CONCLUSION
This brings me back to the story/illustration from the introduction. It is only when we look to Jesus and are in relationship with Him the world comes together!
