Christians should be the happiest people in the world, but in too many cases they seem overburdened with many many cares. The following paragraphs speak to Christ's yoke being easy and why it sometimes is not easy. Note also the notable Scriptures and quotes that follow the same theme.—Dan
Matthew 11:28-30 28 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Our Saviour represents his requirements as a yoke, and the Christian life as one of burden-bearing. Yet, contrasting these with the cruel power of Satan and the burdens imposed by sin, he declares, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." {RH, November 29, 1887 par. 1}
""Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Here is revealed the secret of that rest which Christ promises to bestow. We must possess his meekness of spirit, and we shall find peace in him."
When we try to live the life of a Christian, to bear its responsibilities and perform its duties, without Christ as a helper, the yoke is galling, the burden intolerably heavy. But Jesus does not desire us to do this. He bids the weary and heavy-laden, "Come unto me, . . . and I will give you rest." "Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Here is revealed the secret of that rest which Christ promises to bestow. We must possess his meekness of spirit, and we shall find peace in him. {RH, November 29, 1887 par. 2}
"Those who are restless, impatient, dissatisfied, under the weight of care and responsibility, are seeking to carry their burden without the aid of Jesus. If he were by their side, the sunshine of his presence would scatter every cloud, the help of his strong arm would lighten every burden."
Many profess to come to Christ, while yet they cling to their own ways, which are as a painful yoke. Selfishness, love of the world, or other cherished sin, destroys their peace and joy. My fellow Christian, whatever may be your lot in life, remember that you are in the service of Christ. Whatever your burden or cross, lift it in the name of Jesus; bear it in his strength. He pronounces the yoke easy and the burden light, and I believe him. I have proved the truth of his words. {RH, November 29, 1887 par. 3}
Those who are restless, impatient, dissatisfied, under the weight of care and responsibility, are seeking to carry their burden without the aid of Jesus. If he were by their side, the sunshine of his presence would scatter every cloud, the help of his strong arm would lighten every burden. The church is becoming weak for the want of consecrated members, who feel that they are not their own; that their time, their talents, their energies belong to Christ; that he has bought them with his blood, and is pleading for them in the Sanctuary above. {RH, November 29, 1887 par. 4}
We cumber ourselves with needless cares and anxieties, and weigh ourselves down with heavy burdens, because we do not learn of Jesus. Many are so fearful of provoking unfriendly criticism or malicious gossip that they dare not act from principle. They dare not identify themselves with those who follow Christ fully. They desire to conform to worldly customs, and secure the approbation of worldlings. Christ gave himself for us "that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Christ's true followers are unlike the world in words, in works, and in deportment. Oh, why will not all his professed children follow him fully? Why will any bear burdens which he has not imposed? {RH, November 29, 1887 par. 5}
Mrs. E. G. White, Review and Herald, November 29, 1887
Written Resources On Christ's Yoke
Scriptures And Quotations On Christian Meekness
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