Emancipation Declaration

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30

I once had a nice little chat with my father-in-law about this verse. He said it means that Jesus does all the work for us. That’s why being yoked with him (like two oxen yoked together) is an easy yoke for us! I love this verse and the truth it tells. Jesus did all the work to make me righteous, holy, perfect and complete in Him. Could any of us carry that load alone? Nobody has succeeded yet. Those who try, fall under that burden, and fall far short of the glory of God.

But we are glorified by Jesus. Boom. Jesus did it all. My soul is at rest with no burden of guilt or shame or feeling of not doing enough. Jesus did enough, and He is way more than enough.

“Woe also to you experts in the law! You load people with burdens that are hard to carry, and yet you yourselves don’t touch these burdens with one of your fingers.” – Luke 11:46

The yoke of legalism, or trying to follow and fulfill religious duties, never provides the power or ability to keep such rules and duties. It only adds burdens and makes you weary, just as Jesus described.

What an emancipation declaration it was when the highest authority, the Lord Himself, gave us permission to cast off that heavy burden of performance, and take His yoke upon us. It’s easy and light! What a rest for the weary soul!
No wonder we love Him.