Matthew 11:30

Matthew 11:30

This passage has in it some far-reaching things, which do not strike us on a mere cursory reading. (1) It sets before us very clearly the Saviour's constant attitude of invitation. (2) It reminds us that we become learners in Christ's school only through the process of obedience. (3) It teaches us that there are degrees of rest in the experience of the Christian disciple. Consider especially the words of the text. Christ does not mean to allege that the cross which we are to take up is not a real cross, or that the self-renunciation to which He calls us is but a nominal thing. Still less does He design to show the superiority of His religion to the systems of heathenism which so enslaved their votaries. His words are absolute, and not comparative; and therefore, admitting to the full all the tribulations and unpleasantnesses, all the sacrifices and afflictions, which his very adherence to Jesus entails upon every Christian disciple, let us see if we can discover anything which may justify the assertion that His yoke is easy, and His burden light.

I. The yoke of Christ is easy, and His burden light, because we bear it with the approbation of conscience. The yoke which is borne by a good conscience is always light; the burden which does not consist of sin is never heavy.

II. This yoke is easy because it is borne in love. Love lightens labour, lessens adversity, sweetens care, and is unconscious of a yoke which otherwise would be heavy. When we are murmuring within ourselves at the cost of our Christianity, it is because we have not yet realized the value of Christ.

III. Christ's yoke is easy, and His burden light, because it is borne with the help of the Spirit of God.

IV. Christ's words are true because His burden becomes lighter the longer it is borne. That which required effort at first is at length done with ease and enjoyment. Nobody will believe that until he has experienced it. But every Christian knows that it is true.

V. Christ's yoke is easy, and His burden light, because we are sustained under it by a good hope. Heaven and endless happiness are before us, and the assurance that theyare reserved for us,while weare kept for them,steadies us beneath a weight which else might bear us down.

W. M. Taylor, Christian at Work,March 20th, 1879.

References: Matthew 11:30. A. P. Peabody, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xii., p. 142; Three Hundred Outlines on the New Testament,p. 19. Matthew 11 H. W. Beecher, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xix., p. 294.