Day 3
What is Your Desired Result?
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.
Matthew 11:28-30
Having recently moved to Texas, I was forced to find a new primary doctor. As I was filling out all the obligatory new patient forms, I was struck by one simple question. What is your desired result in seeing the doctor? They then listed four optional responses: explanation of my condition, treat the symptoms, resume normal activity, and develop a comprehensive plan to improve my quality of life.
My initial response was, “What a silly question!” But, in fact, it’s a great question to evaluate our expectations. What do we really want as a result of our visit? Temporary relief with minimal effort? Or life-altering results based upon dealing with the root issue?
As a pastor, I’ve walked alongside many who are confused, exasperated, and hurting. They’ve reached a breaking point in their lives and have found themselves sitting in silence, not knowing what step to take next, or if they even have the strength to attempt a step in any direction. If they were asked the question from the doctor’s office, “What is your desired result,” they wouldn’t know how to answer the question. All they know is that they’re tired, hurting, confused, and need help.
Jesus spoke to a group of people just like that. In Matthew 11, Jesus invited those who were exhausted, burdened with the strains of life, to come to Him and that He would provide them rest. The people had an issue. They were overwhelmed with anxiety, mentally and physically, exhausted to the point where they felt utterly hopeless.
I can imagine that they wanted the physical pain to stop. It would make sense to me that they would also want the emotional tension and grief to subside. It would seem reasonable to think that they would want a plan to avoid this situation again in the future.
So here was Jesus’ prescription to them: “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.”
Jesus’ prescription is not reciting this prayer, so everything will magically go away. Instead, He offers them an invitation. Bind yourself to Me, walk alongside Me, and learn from Me. As we listen to the invitation, I want us to notice the duration. Jesus says take my yoke upon you and learn from me. Nowhere does Jesus ever say to take the yoke off or to stop learning from Him.
This is where I struggle with my doctors as well. I go to them with a problem and ask them to fix it or make me feel better. They prescribe some medicine which I gladly take. But once my symptoms subside, I no longer feel compelled to take the rest of the medicine as prescribed. Why keep up with the diet and exercise? I feel fine, and I’m ready to resume my normal life.
We often approach Jesus in the same way. We want our lives to be filled with the Fruit of the Spirit. Jesus, I’m sad; fill me with joy. Jesus, my spouse and my children are on my last nerve; give me patience. Jesus, I’m worried about my financial situation; would you give me peace? Jesus, I cannot stop myself; give me self-control!
What we are asking for is immediate and temporary relief. What Jesus offers is life-changing and eternal.
So what does it look like to bind ourselves to Christ? It looks like submission. When we submit ourselves to the Lordship of Christ, we are saying that we are no longer in charge. Jesus, we need You to show us what to do. We will go at Your pace and do whatever You ask us to do, knowing that You are beside us.
FURTHER REFLECTION:
In what area of your life are you still struggling with submission? Are you still trying to carry a burden all by yourself? Jesus has an offer for you. Come to Him. Take His yoke upon yourself. Humbly submit yourself to Him. Learn from Him, and He will give you rest.
What does that rest look like? The apostle Paul might describe it like this: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
PRAYER:
Jesus, I’m tired. Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually …. I’m just tired. What I need is rest. I’ve been doing all I can to carry this part of my life, but I can’t do it anymore. I need Your guidance. I need You to lead me. Lord, would You reveal the areas of my life that I have not been willing to fully submit to You? Today, would You help me to lean into You that I might find rest for my soul.
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
John 13:12-16, Hebrews 4:1-3, 11-13, 1 John 2:3-6
by Ryan Alexander