OCTOBER 23 – Reading 296

by Tim Satryan | October 23

“COME TO JESUS”
(Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-17; Matthew 11:2-30; Luke 7:18-50)

“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

The followers of John the Baptist came to Jesus, to ask Him if He was the one who John was looking for and saying would follow him, of if they should look for someone else. Jesus replied by asking them what they saw – people healed, blind eyes opened, deaf ears opened, and good news preached. Christ then goes on to speak of how many had not received Him. And He concludes with the well-known profound words of Matthew 11:28-30.

Those words ring as true today as they were the day Jesus spoke them! What do we need to do?

  • Come to Him! We must make a choice to come to Jesus. When we do, He gives us rest.
  • Take up His yoke! We must lay down our own burdens, and pick up His “yoke” – His burden. His yoke is easy and His burden is light!

It’s all a matter of what you are looking at. If your focus is on yourself, then you will be labored and heavy laden. Your burden will be great. But, if your focus is on Jesus, He will give you rest, and your burdens will be replaced by His burden – which is for others around you. He wants to seek and to save those who are lost.

Simple Truth:
Life isn’t all about you! When you find yourself stressed out about your life, decide to change your perspective to Jesus – come to Him, and take up His burden!

Reflections & Application: 

  • John the Baptist spent his life proclaiming the One who would come – Jesus. We could learn from his example, and likewise proclaim the One who is soon coming again!
  • Are you weary? Feel worn out? Look to Jesus and allow Him to give you rest.
  • So many in the world today seem to reject and dismiss Jesus. Especially in these last days, don’t be persuaded by popular opinion. Rather, look unto Jesus, the founder and perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 11:2).

Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, there is so much confusion surrounding us today. There are so many voices seeking our attention. Help me to focus upon You, to listen to You, and to follow You. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

About our Author

Tim Satryan has been in full time ministry since 1980. He has served five churches in four states. He has also served as the District Youth and Music Director for the PennDel Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God, was the Presbyter for the state of Delaware for over a decade, and for a number of years traveled with the AG Church Multiplication Network, teaching church planting and church revitalization.

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