Jesus Speaks to Women: Matthew 26: 6-13

6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”  Matthew 26: 6-13

There is so much beauty in this passage, I don't even know where to start!  In this portion of Scripture, Jesus is not recorded directly talking to the woman with the alabaster jar...but I believe, due to His actions and words to his disciples about the woman, Jesus showed how deeply He cared for her and how much He appreciated her sacrifice.

We will see this same story in the gospel of John with greater detail.  However, let's just take in what Matthew is telling us for now.  First, the house was full...full of people, but also full of the Spirit.  I mean, Jesus was there!  And so was Simon, who probably was an ex-leper since if he were still a leper, he would not be at a house with guests!  He would be an outcast.  So, Simon must have been a man healed by Jesus and, therefore, full of the Spirit of gratitude.  His house was probably full of people who were rejoicing with him for his healing and who wanted to take a peek and see if Simon was really healed, and also to see if they could reach Jesus.  And in that environment of excitement and joy, in comes this woman carrying an alabaster jar full of "very expensive perfume." 

Commentaries agree on the fact that, the jar was probably the woman's dowry.  That was the most valuable thing she had in her possession.  Without it, her chances of ever getting married were close to none.  Nobody worth having would marry her if she didn't have anything of value to offer.  She didn't care...it was all the same to her, for she was already full of the presence of Her Lord.  Nothing on this earth compared to the One Who was reclining at that table...

Sigh...

I  want to imagine myself as one of the people in the house and watch the scene...and just take it all in...silently...I want to witness this woman's act of faith and love.  I want to be her...sigh...to be that full of the Holy Spirit...to be THAT aware of His presence...to be that focused on what really matters...to be that willing to worship regardless the cost.

Can you see it?  Amidst the noise and commotion, some guests wanting to eat, some others wanting to get a drink, and many pushing and shoving, trying to get closer to where Jesus was reclining...and then, in comes this woman, quietly...unnoticed...humbly approaching the Lord, and without saying a word, breaking open her precious treasure only to bring glory to the One who is worthy of all that we have...of all that we are...

Today, I just want to stand here and watch her do it...I just want to stand here and be filled with the aroma of that most expensive perfume...and worship Him...Praise be the Lord!

Jesus Speaks to Women: Matthew 25: 1-13

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."  Matthew 25: 1-13

My encounter with Scripture today has taken me to a place not where we see Jesus speaking TO women, but a parable in which Jesus uses women as illustration.  I almost skipped it, but I kept going back to it so I decided to obey and let the Holy Spirit lead me to wherever He wants me to go with this meditation...so let's see...

The thing that kept me coming back to the 10 virgins story was the fact that the characters' traits made me think of myself.  OK, we have two groups very well defined:  the 5 wise women and the 5 foolish ones.  I don't think I can fit into either of the two groups!  And that worries me, 'cause I don't want to be in the group that gets the door shut on their faces, hearing their Bridegroom saying to them that he doesn't know them!  YIKES!

But, again, I don't see myself as one of the wise ones either...

I am a lazy procrastinator that is obsessed with doing things the right way and on time.  Does that make sense?  I am riddled with contradictions.  I don't lead a very clear-cut life.  At work, for instance, I would carry around a pile of exams to grade, and I will have the hardest time getting started, then, when I finally get started, I would take a million breaks.  I could not just sit down and plow through it to get it done as quickly as possible.  On the other hand, I am obsessed with returning the exams back to my students on our next class meeting...then, I get mighty frustrated, angry at myself and nervous if the next class comes and I'm not done???!!!  

At home, the house is dirty.  I need to clean it.  I complain about the house being dirty.  The thought of cleaning the house doesn't leave my mind for even an instant.  I walk around in frustration thinking how much dust there is on top of every surface in the house...but yet, I won't just grab the swiffer and clean it!  I rather just complain about it.  Suddenly, I hear someone is coming...and...magic!

So, I don't know if I would be too lazy and too foolish to bring the extra oil so I can be prepared?? I have to tell you, though, I do make sure we have enough toilet paper at home always!  I don't think the zombie apocalypse is going to catch me without a nice reserve of the precious bath tissue!  I wonder if that counts?

Anyway, I worry too much, but then I'm too lazy to do anything about it until the last possible minute. 

The good news is, as it always happens for those in Christ, we don't have to be perfect.  I believe the Lord is merciful and the same way He gives me that injection of will to finish grading my exams on time, or to clean the house before the guests arrive, or to keep a nice reserve of toilet paper under the bathroom sink, He will prompt me to keep me prepared so my lamp can be lit when He returns!

 

Jesus Talks to Women: Matthew 20

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.

21 “What is it you want?” he asked.

She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of  mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”

“We can,” they answered.

I am one of those Moms who thinks she knows better.  I mean, I've lived way longer than my sons, so OF COURSE I know better.  When they are going, I've already come back and then some.  I'm not a young Mom.  So, my age and experience help me know exactly what's going on and how it should be dealt with.  If only they would listen to me and do what I say!!!  If they would only accept that I know better and that my way is the best way!!!

The issue is, however, that not only do I believe I know better than my sons, which I do! But I also believe, often, that I know better than my Lord...

That's why I am such a nervous wreck all the time when it comes to my children.  Because I believe it is up to me to make sure that they turn out ok.  I always forget that it is not about my limited power, and that they don't belong to me.  Even when I pray for them, I try to tell God how to direct their lives!  I forget that my job is to love them, and that I must leave the plan for their lives in the hands of the One Who Created them and Who Calls Them His Own.

This is why I identify with the Mother in today's passage so well.  I see me in her.  I also would like to intercede for my two sons to see them one at each side of the Lord's Throne.  Not realizing that "I don't know what I am asking..." given the opportunity, I would kneel down in front of Jesus and request the impossible.  After all, we are invited to do so, right?  "ask and you shall receive"?  But, as I step back, I don't think this is what it means.

The Lord honors a Mother's prayer.  He even did what His Mom said once or twice.  Remember the wedding at Cana thing, with the water turned into wine?  I mean, He even said to her how His time of public ministry hadn't started yet.  It was almost like Jesus saying (not to be sacrilegious or anything):  "come on woman, let me enjoy myself while I still can!" (John 2: 1-5) But He still did it! Why was, then, this Mother's request not appropriate?  Probably because it was not made in the spirit of humility. 

Can you imagine this Mother's sense of pride and self-righteousness later?  "Look at MY SONS!!!"  "See ... the ones sitting at each side of the Lord?  Those are MY sons!"  "Jesus gave them the place of highest honor because I asked Him!"  "Aren't I just the best!!!???"  "Look at MY sons!  The ones in the honors roll!  The ones up in the front!  The one with the saxophone solos!!!!  The one with the highest scores on the board!!  The ones accepted to the best colleges.  The ones with the best jobs.  The ones with the best lives..."  "And it's all because of MY efforts.  Aren't I the best?"

Pride!

In this interaction of Jesus and a woman we see a blatant display of pride.  It is no wonder that, even though Jesus treated the woman with respect and actually LISTENED to her rather than dismissing her or ignoring her as others would have...He was very firm and, as usual, used the opportunity as a teaching moment to teach a lesson mostly to her sons, that will last for the ages:

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

(Matthew 20: 25-28)

How quickly do they/we forget!!!  He had just said a parable in Matthew 20: 16 where the main message was:  "So the last will be first, and the first will be last."  And just a few steps later, James, John and their Mother are making such a request!  I can't judge them, though, for I am guilty of doing the same many times too...

This is why today, I pray, the Lord teaches me the necessary humility to be a Mother who performs her God-given job with complete trust on the plans that He has designed for her children, and with a humble heart, she praises Him and worships Him for the gift that those children are...regardless of the place they hold or will hold in life.  It is not about the worldly accomplishments.  It is about belonging to the family of Christ!

Jesus Speaks to Women - Matthew 15: 22-28

As I type these words, we are celebrating Thanksgiving once again, and for that I praised the Lord.  I praise Him for all the blessings He has so generously decided to give me...and above all, I praise Him for His giving of Himself to me and to all of us.  For the gift of His Word that is alive and relevant even these many, many years later...I praise Him for the gift of stories such as today's...the story of a woman who knew she didn't belong; but whose faith and love moved her to the feet of Jesus to find true worship and mercy and a place where she fit in.

I know I have been calling this...series, I guess... "Jesus Speaks to Women."  Today, however, we will witness a moment when He is silent.  Have you ever encounter moments when all you long for is to hear Christ's Words somehow...but...no matter how much you think you are seeking them...the words just don't come within the frequency of your ears?  I know that has happened to me.  I admit, most of the time that I can't hear His voice is because there are so many other voices yelling in my ear, that I can't listen to the ONLY one that matters.  Sometimes, however, there are moments when I am actively trying to tune in...and all I hear is the deafening sound of silence.  There is nothing more terrifying...

Then, this story comes along:  a woman actively seeking the healing power of Jesus only to encounter His silence and seeming disinterest. 

22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” 

I mean, really...can't you hear the desperation in her voice?  Lord, nothing is more horrible than to know your child is sick, let alone sick beyond hope.  She probably heard Jesus was passing by, and instantly, I would imagine, without thinking much about the obstacles:  first, she is a woman...that alone is a huge obstacle to being heard.  Second, another biggie, she is a Canaanite woman, which means she was part of an enemy group of Israel.  She had no business coming to Jesus.  She just did not belong there and she knew it.  Fueled by the love of her suffering child, she dismissed any thought of complication and just pleaded...openly and loudly! Only to find the one thing she was fearing the most: silence.

23 Jesus did not answer a word...

Wow...how harsh, don't you think?  Why would Jesus do that?  I mean, I expected it from the disciples.  Of course it is not surprising that they didn't want these woman bothering them, and they, of course, were vocal about their discomfort around her:

...So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us. 

But...Jesus?  I did not expect that reaction from Him...silence?  And then, to make matters worse, when He speaks, He says this:

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” 

That would have been enough for me to walk away with my head hanging low and my hopes completely vanished.  But not this woman.  Facing an impossible situation, this woman's moment of decision came and she chose...to worship:

25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

Left with nothing else...she fell down on her knees before Him...before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords...and she worshiped.  A simple and completely heartfelt, 100% pure act of worship contained in the plain phrase:  "Lord, help me!"  I can see Jesus turning to her at that moment ... however, He doesn't say what we expect.  He continues to push the situation:

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” 

Not what I would hope to hear from Him when I am on my knees, pleading for salvation and help.  But this woman, if she was confused, she sure didn't show it.  She sure didn't waste any time wondering why was Jesus being so mean and harsh.  She didn't waste any time asking "why me?" or angrily asking, "why won't you talk to me!!???"  or being baffled by Jesus' inability to care.  Not her.  She knew who she was.  She knew Jesus owed her nothing.  She knew that she was coming to Him from the outside...she knew she didn't have the right to ask for anything...but she also knew, if not with head knowledge, but with the knowledge that only the Holy Spirit can give, that Jesus was bigger than all the worldly complications that separated them, so she continued, against all odds, she says:  

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” 

Jesus is above all odds.  He doesn't follow rules made by men.  He doesn't respond the way we expect many times...most of the time...if He did, what kind of a God would He be?  He is not our puppet.  He knows exactly what needs to happen for us to truly encounter Him.  Often, He speaks in loud actions that are impossible to deny because that's what we need.  Some other times, He speaks in silence...because we need to realize the need to worship...the need to come to Him spiritually naked...the need to believe beyond all hope, because He is Worthy of all of our worship...because He already knows us and reads through all the layers we put on to try to mask our true selves...because He is the One True Hope...

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.  Matthew 15: 22-28

Dear Lord, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, I pray that we learn to be thankful for everything...that we learn to find You in the joy of Your Presence even when we can't even feel Your nearness...that we learn to hear Your Voice even in Your Silence...for it is in our perseverance that we will find Hope, and the Hope in You never disappoints.  Amen!

Jesus Speaks to Women - Matthew 12

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”

He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”  Matthew 12: 46-50

Well, in my quest to find all the instances when Jesus spoke to women recorded in the Gospels, I've come across the passage above as the next instance when Jesus have some kind of interaction with women in Matthew.  

Although Jesus does not speak directly to a woman in this passage, He does speak about women...one in particular:  His Mother.  

I have to admit that this piece of Scripture is a bit perplexing to me.  But again, that's because I'm looking at it from the perspective of my limited human understanding.  I believe that if I were to be so bold as to place myself in Jesus' sandals, I might have a better glimpse of what Our Lord is trying to communicate here.  

Well, first of all, Jesus knew that His Mother and brothers were there to try to convince Him of being more careful about His public ministry.  They probably wanted Jesus to be less conspicuous.  And since He would not stop doing His work, well, He spared His earthly relatives the scene.  The other reason is that this was a teaching moment.  Jesus never allowed a teaching moment to not be taken advantage of.  And this is no exception.

This was another opportunity for Jesus to remind us that we are all His family.  We are all part of the Royal lineage of Christ, the King of Kings!  Those whom He chooses...those who follow Him...those are His family!  Notice the precious addition of the "sisters" in Jesus' reply.  It is He, not the one who comes looking for Him, who includes the "sisters" in the list of relatives.  I absolutely adore that!  He didn't have to.  Sisters, daughters or women for all that matter, are rarely mentioned when listing those in attendance to anywhere.  Only men were usually counted back then.  In this case, Jesus makes sure He includes the fact that sisters are also worthy of mention as significant members of His family.

Dear sisters in Christ, let's never forget that!  We matter to Jesus.  He knows we are here.  We count!  May we never listen to the lies of the enemy who wants us to believe we are insignificant or inadequate or unworthy to be among those loved by Our Lord!  May we always remember that even if the world forgets, Jesus does not.

Jesus Speaks to Women - Matthew 9: 20-22

I continue in my quest to hearing Jesus speaking to me by searching and pausing at passages where He spoke to women in the Gospels.  Today, I'm stopping at the first instance of recorded words that Jesus spoke to a woman in the Gospel according to Matthew: 

Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. Matthew 9: 20-22

This is another scene when Jesus performs a healing to a woman...while getting on His way to raising a young girl back to life after she was pronounced dead, by the way...but this time, there are words spoken by Our Savior, precious words that we can cling onto.  But before we get to His words, let's look at His actions.  

We have the woman, who, filled with faith and hope, dared to touch His cloak, even if only the very edge.  Scripture gives us a detail about this woman's condition which is very important:  she had been bleeding for twelve years.  Lord, have mercy!  This condition was not only debilitating and potentially lethal (actually, it's amazing she survived that long!) but it also made her unclean, and as such, unable to go to temple.  She was an outcast.  This was her chance to plug herself into the Power of the Most High, and she took it!  She knew, she ran a risk of being tossed away, but, fueled by faith, she went for it.  

What did Jesus do?  Did He shush her away?  Did He have His bodyguards get her our of the way?  Of course not!  He turned to her.  Can you believe it?  Jesus actually TURNED. TO. HER.  WOW!

And He saw her...

Nobody is too small.  Nobody is too far away.  Nobody is too unimportant.  Nobody is too unclean.  Nobody is too insignificant that the King of Kings may not stop, turn and see him or her.

Then, as if that weren't enough for an outcast woman (NOT an oxymoron in Jesus' time), He speaks to her:  “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.”

Blessed be the Name of Jesus!!!!

Don't you long to hear Him say that to you?  I know I do!  With all my heart, I do!  

So, let's grab these words as if spoken to us, because they are, indeed!  Let's push through the crowd of unbelief, of busyness, of entertainment, of activities, of our circumstances, of our fears and anxieties, like Jon Courson says in his Application Commentary, and let's be like this nameless woman, and reach out and touch the hem of His cloak.  He is waiting for us to do so.  She is nameless, because she is every woman who needs His healing power, His presence, His eyes on her, His words spoken to her...

Sigh...

Dear Lord, may I recognize that I am your daughter.  May I know that You know me.  May I realize that You see me.  May I accept that You heal me.

Jesus Speaks to Women

Tonight, I feel a great need to hear the voice of my Savior.  I need His presence to be evident to me at this moment.  

I can't count myself as one who claims to have ever heard the audible voice of God.  I wish I could, but it just has never happened.  I do hear His voice, however...in Scripture, that is.  The Word of God comes to me out of the pages of the Bible.  And it never fails me.  

Tonight, as I feel anxious thoughts creeping up, contaminating my mind, I search for it once again.  This time, though, I am intent in locating instances in which Jesus speaks to women.  So, I begin at the Gospel according to Matthew, and it is in chapter 8 when I find the first interaction between Jesus and a woman in this account.  There aren't any actual words recorded in this passage, but it is a healing, and that intrigued me to no end:

When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. 

Matthew 8: 14-15

In this instance, nobody asks Jesus to exercise His powers to cure this woman.  He simply enters the house and sees her, lying in bed with a fever.  I imagine her to be a middle-age woman, perhaps not much older than myself.  She is probably feeling embarrassed because, rather than fussing about dinner to entertain the guests, people are fussing about her not being her usual self due to illness.  I can picture her totally in awe that Jesus looks at her.  Unable to move, she holds the gaze for it's impossible to look away.  She trembles as His hand makes contact with her skin.  And, instantly, she feels the healing touch covering her as she regains her strength.  What to do, then?  Well, what else?  Get up and start showing her thankfulness the best way she can:  serving Him Who Has Healed her.

Sigh...

Lord, what a wonderful scene!

The compassion of Jesus has no end.  At a time when women were at the same level as cattle, and older women were more likely disregarded as useless burdens, Jesus, the Lord of All that There Is, the Great I Am, not only notices her, but touches her and heals her even when she is not worth her own relatives asking for it.

He is the Lord Who Sees.  He sees us.  He knows us.  And He does not abandon us.  Even if the entire world forgets about us...Jesus remembers, because we are His masterpiece, carefully thought of, designed and knit together before the beginning of the world.    

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for seeing me.  My trust is in You.  You are the King of Who I am!

Stronger Legs

Recently, I read a devotional online that really pulled at my heartstrings.  It had to do with the power of friendship.  The writer was telling a story of the day her son started kindergarten, and how at the beginning he was so sad and disappointed because he felt lonely.  However, one day, he made a friend, and together, they began to enjoy the kindergarten experience as they thrived together.  When she asked her little boy to explain how his new friend had helped him, her son replied:  "he makes my legs stronger!"

I just thought that was the cutest thing I've ever heard!

The whole reading made me think of when Grant started six grade at a new school.  He was so lonely and we didn't know how to help him.  It broke my heart to watch him be so alone.  He is such a trooper, though...and he got through it...with the help of a little friend the Lord put in his life.  Little by little he started making a few other friends and that has helped him tremendously to gain confidence and to make the high school experience a bit less traumatic.

I also thought how it is the same for everyone, regardless of age and circumstance.  The Lord places people in our lives to help us through our difficulties and to savor the joys.  Friendships make the hardships a bit less harsh and more endurable.  They make the happy moments a lot sweeter and more memorable.  

Knowing we have friends pulling for us, praying for us, offering their hand when we are down, sharing their company when we are alone, bringing in light in our darkest hours is like receiving the embrace from the Lord Himself.

Just recently, as I was, yet again, sinking in anxiety over medical issues, the selfless words and helpful presence of unexpected friends injected peace to my weary soul and hope to my twisted mind.  I felt more confident and I grabbed hold of my choice to trust God's plan over whatever my foolish heart might be telling me.  I praised Him for His Goodness and for sending friends to help me up and make my legs stronger for the road ahead.

We are not supposed to walk along the dusty roads of this life alone, said the author of the devotional...I totally agree with that statement.  Even if you think you are alone, you are not.  There is always someone there.  It's a matter of looking intently.  Jesus is always here with us, and He always sends His angels in human flesh at our hour of most intense need.  Let's trust and walk together, as iron sharpens iron, and as friends who make each other's legs stronger.

Seeking to Rest

Sometimes I wish I could have days upon days when I don't do a thing.  I'm so busy, though, that taking even a couple of hours a day sets me back and causes the pile of stuff I have to do to get higher and higher.  To say that I am overwhelmed with work and other things is a large understatement.

That's not what life is supposed to be like.  Just looking at the way the 24 hour span of time works is enough to prove we are not meant to be non-stop.  There is a balanced cycle of activity and rest built into the days by the One Who Created the days.  Why should we imagine that we can modify such perfect cycle?  Our arrogance?  Our pride?  Our focus on the things of this world?  All of the above?

Whatever it is that makes us join the mad race of life in our society, needs to stop!  I need it to stop!

I need to at least put it on pause, so I can recalibrate and find my true north again.  I feel lost in the myriad of to-do lists, e-mails and agendas.  It's as if I've walked deep into the woods without my GPS.  And now, I'm not sure I know how to turn around and go back home.

The reason why I've lost my compass is because I've forgotten that the compass is the Word of God.  The minute I remember that, I regain a sense of direction.  As soon as I turn my eyes back to His promises, I regain hope. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30

The plain and uncompromising words of Jesus bring me comfort tonight.  They call me and they offer me peace.  "Come to me..."  Yes, Lord, to You I come for rest...as you promised.  But it is not rest that implies a "do-nothing" condition.  He invites us to take His yoke upon ourselves...and learn...two very active states of being that imply work.  The difference is that work in Him, work that is done in Him, is not work at all, for He is the One doing it.  We are just along for the ride, hence the "light burden."

Jesus is the One Who Did it all and He continues to do it the same today as He did back on the Cross.  As we walk with Him towards our sanctification, He teaches us how to carry the yoke as He did:  with the eyes fixed on eternity and the heart lifted toward the Father.

May the Holy Spirit guide us towards a place of rest, true rest, the rest that is only possible when we drop the yoke of this world and take upon the yoke of Christ.