Matthew 11:25-30
The Power of Prayer

At that time Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, 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."

New Revised Standard Version

There are two ways to look at this passage: as the words of Jesus, and as the life of Jesus.

The words of Jesus that Matthew recorded are a magnificent encouragement to us. Jesus affirmed that He and God the Father are the same Person--the power of the Creator permeates the holy Love observed in the person of Jesus. He presented this love to His followers as rest and relief for the burdened and overwhelmed. The image of a yoke explains one way that Jesus gives us rest--the burden is still there, but we have a much better way to pull the burden. If we consider ourselves as first century animals, we are no longer pulling with a rope or collar arranged around our necks, but we now pull with an easier yoke, which is tailored to fit us exactly, with edges carefully smoothed, and crafted by the Carpenter. A yoke was made for two animals, so we also see in this image the promise that we won't carry our burdens alone, for our Savior made the other side of the yoke for Himself.

The time in the life of Jesus was extraordinarily sorrowful and difficult. John, the forerunner and Jesus' cousin, was in prison, and he would later be executed in prison, and Jesus was upset over the imprisonment. John and John's disciples were struggling with his desperate situation, looking for confirmation that John wasn't going to die for nothing. John's disciples had just come to Jesus earlier in chapter 11 to see if he really was the Messiah that John had believed him to be.

At this point in Jesus' ministry, the religious leaders had become more aggressive in their opposition and criticism. The crowds of followers, too, were starting to wonder and doubt more, as the initial appeal of a new and different teacher wore off. Matthew records how Jesus expressed emotions of frustration, anger, and sorrow for those who were observing but not really seeing the Truth that God was presenting.

Jesus, in the middle of these circumstances, goes in prayer to His Father to find confirmation, strength, guidance, and joy. He even opened this prayer with thanks for God's plan lived out in Him. Out of that prayer, Jesus drew strength and assurance to pass along to his disciples through the centuries, letting us know that in Him, our yoke is easy and our burden is light. We have that same opportunity in every difficult moment; the opportunity to find in prayer the assurance, the strength, and the yoke Partner to live a life not saddled with troubles but filled with blessings and purpose.

Let this be your prayer when you are struggling, when you are weary, or when you feel despair creeping up inside you, that you would claim Jesus' promise and trade in the ropes and collars you have made for the yolk that Jesus shares with you, and you will find rest for your soul!