Matthew 11:25-29

At that time Jesus answered and said,
I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent,
and hast revealed them unto babes.
Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
All things are delivered unto me of my Father:
and no man knows the Son, but the Father;
neither knows any man the Father, save the Son,
and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

God's truth is hidden from those who are considered the wise and learned,
those who believe they already have the answers.
Their pride and expectations of how things should be
blind their eyes and close their minds to further revelation of truth by Jesus.
However, those who are as children, open and responsive to instruction,
sensing the heart of the Message-bearer and soaking in the Word,
are those who eagerly grasp Jesus' teaching
and adjust their thinking and behavior to newly revealed truth.

It is hard to comprehend the unity between God and Jesus.
God has committed all things to Jesus.
They know each other intimately.
Jesus is the One who helps us know God better,
but what He reveals is limited by our heart's receptivity.

Those of us who are exhausted and overwhelmed
are told by Jesus to come to Him.
He wants to give us rest.
We are invited to slip into the yoke alongside Him, to let Him disciple us.
He knows us well for He walked among us.
He is gentle and humble in heart,
allowing us to draw on His strength when we are weak.
He does not expect us to “go it on our own”
and willingly shares with us whatever it is we need.
For that reason, we find His yoke easy and the load lightened,
ourselves refreshed.

Twila Charles Leichty
January 23, 2010