How to Find Rest in Jesus

Scripture Reading

Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.

Matt.11:28-30

What is a Yoke?

In this Bible study on how to find rest in Jesus, there is a word referenced that likely doesn’t find its way in daily conversation with most people. That word is yoke and it is metaphorically used in this instance by Jesus. A yoke is actually a device consisting of metal and wood and was historically mounted around the necks of two animals, typically oxen. The yoke helped to control and tether the animals during farming to ensure they pulled earth-tilling equipment in unison. While appearing somewhat barbaric on the animals it created a far more productive process in getting work done in the fields for managing crops.

With that said, let us back up for a moment to see what has recently taken place before this week’s scripture reading. The preaching and teaching of Jesus often covers an immense number of subjects and at first glance they may come across randomly. But there is a common thread woven throughout them. The thread or common message is one of repentance and the coming kingdom of heaven.  While Jesus may digress into other pertinent and relevant subjects, always keep in the back of your mind his inaugural message, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” [Matt. 4:17b]

Backtracking for Context

So with this context, let us quickly review some of the events that had just unfolded. Jesus just prayed to the heavenly Father about how these things are hidden from the wise and the prudent, meaning worldly wise people. Previous to that, Jesus upbraided the multitudes over their lack of repentance. Just before that Jesus spoke about John the Baptist and the kingdom of heaven. Then right before that Jesus spoke about the need for people to take up their cross and to follow him in Matt. 10:38-39. While Jesus covered a number of topics during this period of time, his methodology of teaching  was still largely influenced around the core theme of repentance and the kingdom of heaven.

Yoke of the Pharisees

The prevailing dilemma during his preaching ministry however was the abrasive reaction and rejection of his message from the scribes and Pharisees. Their constant barrage of caustic and blasphemous comments against Jesus was very likely related to the invitation he gave to the people from this week’s scripture reading, “come unto me”. After all, it was the Pharisees who instituted endless laws and commandments over and above the Mosaic law which contrasted with the teaching from Jesus. Their self imposed yoke upon the Jewish people was exhaustive and burdensome resulting in man made traditions taking precedence over commandments from God.

Yoke of Jesus

The heartfelt message of compassion therefore from Jesus presented a distinct contrast to the legalistic ways of the Pharisees. Instead, Jesus invited people to come to him, all who labor and are heavy laden and he will give them rest.  He wants people to take the yoke of himself upon them instead of the never ending legalistic yoke from the Pharisees or of any instituted religion. This was and still is indeed a refreshing message of hope, comfort, and freedom from the Lord Jesus.

The comments from Jesus also beckon us back to the Old Testament with a similar phrase, “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” [Jer. 6:16a] His message also parallels with a previous statement Jesus made to the people about seeking first the kingdom of God and his invitations from the beatitudes such as blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake and blessed are the poor in spirit and blessed are the meek. All these preaching messages from Jesus have an inherent theme of “come to me” as shared in this week’s scripture reading.

Bondage of Yoke

If readers are still not sure of the meaning of yoke and the contrast in how it was portrayed in this passage of scripture, perhaps a couple of other examples will be helpful to reference. Consider this passage of scripture, “Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all [things:] and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.” [Deut. 28:28] Here the metaphorical and rather negative use of yoke was more blunt in its meaning as the Israelites were forced under the hands of their enemies.

Also, consider in this other passage how the Lord referenced the yoke of bondage of the Israelites under Pharaoh, “I [am] the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.” [Lev. 26:13] The story of the Israelites was one of oppression to freedom through God’s omnipotent power guiding their path.

Apostles Refute the Old Yoke

In closing off this Bible study on how to find rest in Jesus, readers of scripture should take careful note how the apostles instructed believers in the faith following his ascension to heaven. Their premise was to follow Jesus with the same prevailing theme as we have seen throughout this study. This theme was around the fact that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden is light. Consider how this was noted in the Acts of the Apostles when some people felt it was important to impose upon believers all former laws and traditions of the elders; those being a reflection of the old burdensome yoke of bondage.

In this case it was about the requirement of circumcision and to keep the law of Moses as criteria for being saved but the disciples refuted this argument, “Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” [Acts 15:10] The apostle Peter was quick to refute the notion of this and emphasized the saving grace of the Lord Jesus instead, “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” [Acts 15:11]

Freedom in Christ

The apostle Paul preached similar messages in his letter to the Galatian church where he referenced Old Testament scripture. His point was that we are no longer in a position of bondage but are now free in the grace of Christ, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” [Gal. 5:1] This was again based around discussions over the need to practice former Jewish traditions but the apostles were quick to dispel any thoughts of combining the legalism that stemmed from Judaism with the freedom and grace found in the Lord Jesus Christ.

To close then, Jesus offers this invitation for all people to come to him. Peter the apostle tells of a similar message, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” [1 Pet. 5:7] Jesus does care for you. He wants you to come to him, to learn from him and to ease your labor and burdens by resting in him. Jesus proclaimed, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” [John 6:35b] Is it not your time to come to Jesus and find eternal rest for your soul in him? He has done the rest for us!

Bible Study Questions

1. In this Bible study on how to find rest in Jesus, why do you think it is still so common for people to think that they must get to heaven by their own work and efforts when Jesus has already paid the price for them?
2. How would you describe a yoke to someone who was not familiar with the word?
3. Why do you think the Pharisees chose to institute so many of their man made traditions as more important than the law of God?
4. Who is the yoke of Jesus for and why is it important to understand this on how to find rest in Jesus?
5. The apostles did not support the idea of resting in the yoke of Jesus, true or false? Hint Acts 15:11, Gal. 5:1.
6. For a faith building exercise, choose one of the Bible verses noted in this study and memorize it over the next week.
7. Starting today, what is one thing you can do to bring yourself more under the yoke of Jesus instead of the yoke of bondage or legalism?

Helpful Resources

https://www.blueletterbible.org/