Christ invites all men to the Unity of the Holy Trinity, since there is no rest for our souls except by abiding in the true God. Jesus calls everybody, even those who are content with themselves and proud of their activity. However they would not accept His invitation, as they did not recognize the reason for their troubles and the impurity of their hearts. The repentant who recognize their need are the only ones who respond to Christ’s invitation. How astonishing that the rich, the leaders, and the officials of the state would not hurry to the Savior. It is the poor, the failing, and the sinners that are anxious to hear the Comforter. Do you know yourself, my dear friend? Have you heard the call of Christ, the Savior, who invites all men? He is the only one who has the authority and capability to take away our burdens, and free us from sin and disease; from law and death, and from Satan and God’s wrath. Christ is the Almighty Savior who would never reject any seeker, but invites all to hurry to Him and cast their burdens upon Him so that they are set free.
All those who are aware of sin as a burden and groan under the demands of the Law are invited to rest in Christ. They are not only convinced of the evil of their sin, but are deeply sorry for it. They are sick of their sins, weary of the service of the world and of the flesh, and see that their state of sin is filthy and dangerous.
The Lord Jesus Christ can, and will, give assured rest to those weary souls, who by a lively faith come to Him for it. They will “rest” from the terror of sin in a well-grounded conscience of peace. They will “rest” from the power of sin as order is restored to their soul. They will “rest” in God and have peace of soul in His love (Psalm 11:6-7). This is the rest that is prepared for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9); begun in grace, and perfected in glory.
To call those who are weary and heavy laden to take an additional yoke upon them, sounds like adding affliction to the afflicted; but the relevance of Christ’s command lies in the word “My.” “You are under a yoke which makes you weary. Shake that off and try Mine, which is easy.” Servants are said to be “under the yoke” (1 Timothy 6:1), and subjects of a king carry a yoke (1 Kings 12:10); but to take Christ’s yoke upon us, is to put ourselves into the position of servants and subjects to Him. We then conduct ourselves accordingly in a conscientious obedience to all His commands and guidance. It means having a cheerful submission to His will, obeying the gospel of Christ, and yielding ourselves to the Lord.
Our hearts are wicked and deceitful. The remission of sins alone is not sufficient for us. We need a changing power that creates a new life in us. Christ is bound with His Father in complete harmony, and He draws us to into that fellowship so that we may live with Him. That is why He puts His own yoke upon us. If we believe and walk with the Son of God under one yoke, we will be changed through His love and find true rest with a clear conscience, for there will be no rest except in Christ.
None are free. Every man is either a slave to sin, or a partner under Christ’s yoke. He who is united through faith with the Father is required to follow Him and His will. Christ trains us to imitate him and follow His example. He teaches us His virtues. He is truly meek, having submitted His will completely to His Father. He is lowly in heart, having made Himself of no reputation. If you are bound to Jesus, He will free you from your stubbornness, haughtiness and stinginess. He will change you into a new person, a man or lady of love that you may plow our earth together with Christ and throw the seeds of the Gospel. You would not be working independently through your own thoughts and diligence, but under the yoke of Christ who will unify you with God. He is determined to quench your thirst for righteousness and to satisfy your appetite with spiritual peace.
Christ said, “Learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Ask yourself, do you want to be changed and to walk meekly, committing your life to Christ? Do you want to be humble and consider yourself the least of all and the worst of sinners? Then Christ will grant you His peace and rest as long as you remain with Him under one yoke.
He is meek, and has compassion on the ignorant, whom others would be angry with. Many able teachers are hot and hasty, which is a great discouragement to those who are dull and slow. But Christ not only bears with them, but loves them, and opens their understanding. His attitude towards His twelve disciples was evidence of this. He was mild and gentle with them, and made the best of them, though they were heedless and forgetful. He was not quick to mark their follies.
The only sure way to find rest for our souls is to sit at Christ’s feet and hear His word. Rest is found in the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, and the soul is abundantly satisfied in finding wisdom in the gospel, which has been sought for in vain throughout the whole creation. The truths Christ teaches are such as we may trust our souls upon them.
This is the sum and substance of the gospel call and offer. We are told in a few words what the Lord Jesus requires of us, and it agrees with what God said of Him, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”