The title of my devotional today is, are you heavy laden? Today’s devotional reflects on one of Jesus’ most tender invitations. In the quiet of an early morning, this passage stood out with fresh power and reminded me that the Lord’s answer to a burdened heart is not a new technique, but a Person: “Come to Me.”
“Come to Me, all you who labour 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)
What Jesus Offers
Jesus offers rest—not simply a pause from activity, but a deep quieting of the soul. His rest is rooted in who He is: gentle and lowly in heart. When we come to Him, we come to a Saviour who is both strong enough to carry our burdens and tender enough to handle our hearts.
“Take My Yoke… and Learn from Me”
In Jesus’ day, a yoke joined two animals so they could pull together. The image suggests close fellowship and shared strength. To take His yoke is to walk in step with Him, allowing His pace, His Word, and His Spirit to set our rhythms. We do not carry life alone; we carry it with Him.
When the Mind Is Overactive
Many of us know those early hours when thoughts race and worries crowd in. Scripture steadies us. God’s Word is living and inexhaustible—like a stream that never runs dry. Returning to the promises and commands of Scripture brings our minds under the gentle authority of Christ.
Faith That Presses Through
Remember the men who brought the paralytic to Jesus and, finding the door blocked, went through the roof. That is bold faith. It reminds us that we can press through obstacles in prayer. Jesus invites us to ask, to trust, and to believe that nothing is too hard for the Lord.
How to Respond Today
- Come to Jesus deliberately: speak to Him about what you are carrying.
- Submit to His yoke: choose His way over self-reliance; let His Word guide your steps.
- Learn from Him daily: open the Bible; dwell on a few verses and ask, “How do I walk this out today?”
- Pray in faith: bring specific burdens to the Lord and keep knocking.
- Rest by obedience: rest grows as we trust and obey what He has already said.
A Simple Prayer
Lord Jesus, I come to You with what I am carrying. Teach me Your ways. Quiet my mind with Your Word. I receive Your rest today and choose Your yoke over my own. Amen.
Related Devotionals
If this encouraged you, please share it with someone who needs rest today and feel free to leave a comment with a verse that helps you when you feel overwhelmed.