Come You Who Are Heavy Laden (Matthew 11:28-30)

 

Come You Who Are Heavy Laden

Scripture

“Come to Me, all [you] 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 NKJV)

Devotion

What glorious words these are, “I will give you rest.” To whom does the Lord speak these words? It is to the benefit of those who labor under the taskmaster of sin. These words are to encourage those who are heavy laden with the knowledge of their own depravity. Without Christ, the flames of hell reach out from beyond the grave, calling, pulling one closer to the pit with each passing day; but take courage, my friend, for all is not lost.

If you feel the weight of sin upon your poor soul, God may have gifted you with quickening grace. The first step toward heaven is made upon one’s knees. Jesus told a parable to illustrate this very point.

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. ‘I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise [his] eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:10-14 NKJV)

However, it is not enough to be burdened by your sin. Judas was burdened to the point of death, but repentance was not found in him. You, who are heavy laden, repent, turn from that which condemns you and receive by faith the righteousness of Christ. Then you will find rest for your soul.

What about you, dear Christian? Is there comfort for you in this verse? Oh yes, very much so. His yoke is easy and His burden light, and those who labor under it labor in joy. Even those who were beaten for their faith rejoiced (Acts 5:40-42).

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” (Romans 8:14-16 NKJV)

The following words were written of Miss Sarah Howely three days before her death.

On Thursday, after long waiting, great fears, and many prayers, when all her friends thought she had been past speaking, to the astonishment of her friends, she broke forth thus, with a very audible voice, and cheerful countenance: "Lord, thou hast promised that whosoever comes unto thee, thou wilt in no wise cast him out: Lord, I come unto thee, and surely thou wilt in no wise cast me out. O, so sweet! O, so glorious is Jesus! I have thee, sweet and glorious Jesus; he is sweet, he is sweet! O the admirable love of God in sending Christ, and free grace to a poor lost creature!"

“Her soul then seemed ravished with the love of Christ. And while she was engaged in magnifying God, her father, brethren, and sisters, with others of the family, were called, to whom she spake particularly, as her strength would give leave. She gave her Bible as a legacy to one of her brothers, and desired him to use that well for her sake; and added, to him and the rest, "O make use of time to get Christ for your souls: spend no time in running up and down, or in playing: O get Christ for your souls, while you are young! Remember now your Creator before you come to a sick-bed: put not off this great work till then, for then you will find it hard work indeed: I know by experience, the devil will tell you it is time enough; and ye are young, and what need ye be in such haste? You will have time enough when you are old. But remember the words of a dying sister. If you knew how good Christ is! If you had but one taste of his sweetness, you had rather go to him a thousand times than stay in this wicked world. I would not for ten thousand worlds part with my interest in Christ. O, how happy am I, that I am going to everlasting joys! I would not go back again for twenty thousand worlds; and will you not strive to get an interest in Christ?"—James Janeway & John Wesley, A Token for Children.