Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: "Apostle Tom" <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sun, 13 May 2007 17:02:04 -0500
To: pressingon@hotmail.com
Subject: Morning Manna (May 14); BP: Mt. 11:25-30; RBTTY: Jn. 4:1-30; II Kings 19-21
May 14 “Coming Unto”
“Come unto Me, all you that labor 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 you shall find rest unto your souls—for My yoke is easy and My
burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
As someone once said, “If we don’t come apart, we will come apart.”
Never has there been a more blessed invitation in life than the one
that’s given in today’s Manna. We know the One inviting is the Lord Jesus
Himself. And, what He has to offer—“rest unto our souls”—should entice
everyone to readily accept this overture of love.
No one needs to tell us the meaning of “come;” it simply means to “move
toward. . . draw closer to. . .move in the direction of, etc.” And, implied
within this invitation are the words “just as you are.” There’s no need to
get cleaned up or put on a happy face; neither do we need to shrink back in
fear that we’ll be turned away once we get there.
Our Lord further clarifies our destination by saying “unto Me”—not to
other self-help gurus, “enlightened” teachers, mental health experts with
plenty of pills in their hands, etc. No, we are to “come unto Jesus”—the
Wonderful Counselor with healing of mind, emotions, body and spirit in His
hands.
Likewise, He narrows down those are invited: “All you that labor and
are heavy-laden.” Is there anyone, anywhere, who doesn’t fit this
description? A thousand times no—at least in this “Age of Anxiety!”
Yes, we all “labor (Grk. ‘kopiao’—‘to feel fatigue, exhausted, to toil,
be wearied, etc.’) and are heavy-laden (Grk. ‘phortizo’—‘to load down, to
overburden, greatly burdened by anxiety, etc.’).” It’s the picture of one
who’s bowed down to the ground under the weight of a heavy load. And, in
the process this oppressive weight zaps one’s strength, robbing him of his
zest and zeal for life itself.
As we “come unto Him,” He immediately lifts our burdens, giving us
“rest” (Grk. “anapano”—“to repose, be refreshed, take ease, etc.”). This
isn’t a REMOVAL of our problems; it’s simply a “RESTING” in the midst of
them. Hallelujah!!
How does our Lord do this? Interestingly, by “placing His yoke upon
us.” In this day-and-age that means very little to most folks. But, to
those who still remember days of yore before the advent of tractors, the
picture is quite vivid.
Quite often in Jesus’ day two oxen were paired together to plow a field
or pull a heavy load. Between them would be the main wooden beam and
crossing over the top of it would be the yoke. And, instead of being
centered over the beam, the yoke was disproportionate in its length and
weight—the older oxen being placed under the longer, heavier side and the
younger, inexperienced oxen being placed under the lighter part. By letting
the older, more experienced oxen lead the “yoke becomes easy and the burden
light.” May we experience this delightful union today by letting Jesus lead
as He wills.
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