Matthew 11

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (28). Jesus’ beautiful invitation comes at the end of stories of tension and conflict. Jesus is transforming lives, yet John the Baptist is in prison (1-5). People misunderstood both John and Jesus as they displayed God’s kingdom (18-19), and Jesus pronounced judgment on towns that totally rejected him (20-24). In light of the real tensions of living for God in this world, Jesus told his followers, they must learn his Way: to be “gentle and humble of heart” (28).

“My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (30). Jesus invites us to face our battles with him, learning his Way: “gentle and humble of heart.”