Today’s Scripture: Matthew 11:29, NIV- “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
When we struggle, we can always learn from Jesus. He is gentle and humble in heart. He is much more forgiving of us than we are of ourselves. I must confess that I never feel I get enough done. I spend too much time and energy striving to meet the expectations of others instead of the expectations of God.
My overthinking and procrastination only serve to complicate things. Jesus does not complicate our lives. Jesus has reminded me this morning that He gives rest for our souls.
In Matthew 11:25 we are told, “At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.” (NIV) We attempt to be wise and learned but we must only humble ourselves to come before God as little children.
I just learned a new affirmation from Jesus, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth” I also found encouragement in Matthew 11:11 this morning. “Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (NIV)
What? We can be greater than John the Baptist by being the least? Well, I feel 100% confident I can meet the expectation of being one of the least in the kingdom of heaven. When we humble ourselves and live a gentler life, as Jesus did, we do find rest for our souls.
This morning I am recalling an experience I had on September 11, 2010. Alone and on my knees in the dark, I breathed out the word rest. I can remember what I felt then and now. Can you try an experiment with me? With your eyes closed, silently say “Thank You Jesus for Your rest.” Then take a deep breath and slowly breath out silently the word “rest” until your breath is exhausted. Please try this a few times and let me know if you experience anything.
The breath of this rest does seem to come from our souls. Jesus put the Spirit of rest inside of us. There is no need to complicate our lives. We must only shut out the noise and the voices of those who make themselves sound more learned and wiser than the rest of us. As Jesus pointed out in Matthew 11:18, back in those days, there were even those saying John the Baptist was possessed by a demon!
In Matthew 11:19, Jesus also said “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.” (NIV) Wisdom is proven by the fruits that are produced. Many of the wise do not produce lives we care to obtain.
We will always learn from Jesus. Humbleness does not reflect weakness, and rest does not represent laziness. Resting with Jesus strengthens our souls. Along with Jesus’ love, grace, and rest we must remember what He said in Matthew 10:34, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” (NKJV)
So, let us not be concerned with meeting the expectations of others, especially those who think they are wise. Let us come as little children, the least in the kingdom of God, and rest in our praises to our Father, Lord of heaven and earth.
Today’s Prayer: I praise You, Father God, for Jesus. I am least in Your kingdom and pray to always come to you as a child. I do pray to mature as Jesus did in stature, wisdom, and favor with both You and people. Protect me from considering myself wise and learned. I do pray to be taught by Your commands and to live the life You intend. In the humble and gentle name of Jesus Christ I do pray. Amen.
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