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COME TO ME…. (MATTHEW 11:28-30)

“Come to me…” is the theme for our reflection. “Come to me…” is an invitation from a benefactor to a beneficiary or from a helper to one who needs help. We shall reflect on the fact that Jesus is inviting all who are weary to come to Him. To be weary is to feel or show extreme tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion or application of mental or physical force and effort.

Jesus makes a clarion call to all who are weary to come to Him. Jesus uses the analogy of an ox which serves the purpose of a plowing tractor in ancient times. The ox was yoked with a piece of ploughing equipment and used to plough or till the land for farming. Often the farmer or operator of the oxen overuses the oxen and even when the oxen are tired they continue to yoke them for more burdensome tasks. Jesus likens an ox which is yoked to a person who is being oppressed or yoked by life’s challenges, and for that matter has become weary. He yearns with compassion to give these weary people rest. For this reason, Jesus gives us the assurance that “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest.”  (Matthew 11:28)

What does Jesus offer the weary fellow who responds to the call to come to him? It must be understood that coming to Jesus does not mean we shall have a less burdensome, challenge-free or stress-free life. The good news is that Jesus grants us salvation and treats us with love and dignity. Our weariness shall yield gains and results. Our struggles in life shall not be in vain but will be purposeful in Christ. It is, for this reason, Jesus assures us, “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 11:29-30). In other words, for all who are weary and have hitherto been yoked with oppression, worries, frustrations and disappointments in life, Jesus is inviting us to come to Him. The burden of His yoke does not lead to despair and destruction but even as we work for Him we shall find satisfaction and rest, for He has assured us that “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, ¹⁹ to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19) He is the gentle Master and the burden of his yoke is light. This reflection offers us the opportunity to take up the yoke of Christ and like oxen become His servants. When we give our lives to Jesus and serve him diligently, His grace is ever sufficient and we have eternal life and resting place for our weary souls.

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “Come to me…” We have been greatly encouraged that Jesus is inviting all who are weary to come to Him. The choice is ours to make, let us come to Jesus with our weary souls and He will give us eternal life and rest. Shalom.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, our weary and wretched souls find solace and comfort in your bosom. Use us for your glory and may we find peace and perfect rest in you. Amen.