“25 At that time Jesus said in reply, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. 26 Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.
28 Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden light” Matthew 11:25-30.
This is one of the most beautiful reflections or teachings and a prayer ever spoken by Jesus. First of all He is amazing when He reminds us that He is not expecting us to be brilliant followers, or “wise” in anyone’s eyes. Instead, He calls us to have the approach to living life as children do. Here Jesus says something astounding, that is, that the Son of God, Jesus Himself, love to reveal Himself to children because children don’t have the wisdom of adults who consider themselves filled with wisdom that is attractive to the world. Children simply believe that Jesus is who He says He is, because children believe everything Jesus says. Their relationship withJesus is pure, honest, and simple.
I was recently visiting Alma, Nebraska, where I was pastor for seven beautiful years not long ago — up until covid struck. I visited all the classrooms where the the little children were in Sunday School focusing on the subject of sharing. As worship started a short time later they gave away bags of little gifts and candies to their families and guests. They didn’t need to spend hours discussing the pros and cons of sharing, nor did they spend time discussing who might deserve their sharing — and who might not! They simply accepted the fact that in the Bible sharing is front and center. End of discussion. So they simply did what the Word of God invited them to do that Sunday. They shared.
Children and those who are like children are the kind of people with whom Jesus shares His Father. As Jesus said in verse 27: “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him…and although the Father has hidden things from the wise and the learned the Father has revealed them to the childlike” (verse 25).
But look how Jesus concludes His reflections — with a prayer: “28 Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” He speaks to all of us adults who worry about our lives and wonder if we should share with everyone or just some. Jesus tells us to calm down and rest in His presence as we live life, instead of getting burdened all of the time with things that God will handle splendidly for us with His loving grace. So don’t get burdened by all the burdens and details of life. Instead, live like children — or those who are childlike — who learn about and accept and know Jesus as One whose heart is very meek and mild. Children know the Lord as One whose “burdens and yokes” are “easy and light” to handle.
So this is a beautiful time in your prayer today to stop and ask God to help you change. Let go of whatever is burdening you and trust Jesus to ease the yokes and burdens you are drowning in each day of your life. Look at your own kids or the children of others. Learn from them, for they learn from Jesus! And take time to laugh at yourself for getting all hot and bothered about things that will appear very differently IF YOUR TRUST JESUS.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the bible:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5.
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday” Psalm 37:5-6.
“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” Proverbs 3:6.
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