For all Singaporeans and city dwellers with wi-fi, life is 24-7, extremely busy. We are always busy with something. In a wired world in a city, study, work and play are nearby. Those who cannot bring work home slog through till sunset. Add to house work and some service in your church, there is no break. Are we all burning-out? Our Lord Jesus cares for you. Is He near to you? Cast your anxieties on Him for He cares for you (1 Pet 5:7). “Tis one life, only what’s done for Christ will last.” Present yourselves to God as a living sacrifice. Burn for Jesus.
Jesus says, “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.” (Mat 11:28-30 ESV)
“Come to Me.” Assembling on Sundays is spiritually refreshing. Keep that up. Can you find another hour between Sundays, somewhere and sometime to “come to Jesus?” Without wi-fi, you can come to Jesus via prayers. You can surf the internet for your favourite bible verses, etc. Resist the temptation to fill up your hours with TV, movies, internet, emails, browsers, chatlines. “Sorry, Jesus, I’ve no time. Please help me.”
“Take My yoke” means to let go of your own yoke and take Jesus’ yoke. His yoke is His burden to bring men back to God and transform them. To come to Jesus is to deny yourself and ambition. “Sorry Jesus, I have to carry my yoke. Please help me.”
“Learn from Me.” You learn many things at work. But Jesus is no ordinary master. Jesus calls you to be trained in wisdom and godliness. Your practice in godliness is on-thejob. That is, while you are occupied with studies and work, and family care. The Holy Spirit is your personal Spiritual Coach and Director (1 Jn 2:27). Do God’s will while you are still on earth. He will supply your daily necessities of life. “But sorry, Jesus, I have to learn from another master. Please let me be off, this time. I will learn from you after I retire.”
Come to Jesus so as to roll your burdens to Him. Take His yoke in exchange for your own yoke. Learn from the Master of the Universe, not from other coaches, gurus or “sifus.” Are they difficult? Yes, if you carry two yokes. Yes, if you serve two masters (Matt 6:24; Heb 12:1). Carrying two yokes will only bring weariness of the soul. Serving two masters will give you a divided heart. You can only please one master.
To take Jesus’ yoke is to deny yourself the fleeting pleasures of the world (1 John 2:16-17). Do not carry Christ’s yoke with your human strength. It will be impossible (Rom 8:8). His Spirit gives you the strength to do God’s will. So if you deny yourself worldly pleasures and “come after Jesus” you will find that His yoke is easy and His burden light. You will be found doing God’s will when Christ appears at any moment (1 Jn 2:28). You will find rest for your soul. He will provide for your basics and more (Matt 6:30, 33b; Ps 37:25). “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Ps 37:4).
Jesus is the Lord of Hosts, the King of Kings, your Master and Saviour. Obey Him. Jesus Christ wants you and I to take His yoke. He has taken your burdens. He took the form of a man, worked as a carpenter, ministered and suffered as a perfect man for the sins of all mankind. Come to Him, take His yoke, learn of Him, and you will find rest for your souls. You will find that His yoke is easy, and His burden light.
Elder Yoong Yuen Soo
