Devos with Davis: We must share our burdens with God

When life becomes chaotic, I find myself wondering what it must have been like for the disciples to have direct access to Jesus Christ as he conducted his ministry on Earth roughly 2,000 years ago.  

What a gift it must have been for John, the beloved disciple, Matthew, the unfavorable tax collector and Peter, the overly zealous apostle, to be a part of the select few that got to not only speak with Jesus, but also watch him perform a wide array of miracles during a deeply divisive and politically unstable time for the Roman Empire.   

It’s beautiful to picture what it must have been like to see Jesus in action: when he fed the 5,000 by simply giving thanks to God and multiplying a humble portion of loaves and fishes (Matthew 14:13-21), walked on the waters of the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:22-33) and quieted a raging storm with a single command (Mark 4:35-41).  

Everything about Jesus’ ministry was countercultural. He performed miracles and demonstrated truths that were immensely transformative to not only the Jews, but the Gentiles as well. His presence alone changed the atmosphere as he walked with both supportive and jeering crowds: some yearning to hear his teachings and others despising his existence.  

No matter the place or setting, Jesus did not let his surroundings or the opinions of others deter him from completing the work that God wanted him to fulfill.   

Instead, Jesus persevered and was obedient to the Father. He could have chosen to do otherwise, but he remained steadfast.  In Matthew 28, he offered a clear solution for what all people should be doing to obtain Godly peace in spite of their hardships.    

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

In verse 28, the Son of God clearly presents an invitation to all humanity, by openly declaring that all are welcome to go to him when in need, according to EnduringWord.com. In this passage, Jesus is trying to encourage those who feel burdened to relinquish their “self-sufficiency” and fully lean on him to find true rest, as explained by EnduringWord.com.  

Jesus’ humility is what set him apart from the other teachers and the Pharisees of the day. This passage shows how Jesus deeply sought to help the disciples by speaking the truth and offering them instruction that he knew would help them in the future. His emphasis on humility and compassion also indicates the focus of his ministry, which was uplifting the practice of servant leadership.  

According to the EnduringWord.com, the phrase “I am gentle and lowly in heart” from verse 29 demonstrates Jesus’ “servant’s heart, displayed throughout His ministry, making Him qualified to be the one who bears our burdens.” 

Of all the words from this passage, verse 30 is key: “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” The only way to find true rest and relief from the heaviness of the day, week or month is to offer it all to God. It is futile to carry on in this life, refusing to let God shoulder the weight with us. One of the most powerful lessons to learn from our years on Earth is that we must be willing to give the burden over to our maker.  

If we neglect to entrust the creator of the heavens and the earth with our struggles and burdens, then we will eventually crumble under the pressure.  

“If your yoke is hard and your burden is heavy, then we can say that it isn’t His yoke or burden, and you aren’t letting Him bear it with you. Jesus said it plainly: “My yoke is easy and My burden is light,” as stated by EnduringWord.com.  

 It’s encouraging to know that even after Jesus ascended into heaven generations ago, he gave us the Holy Spirit, who is another helper and source of comfort, as it says in John 14:16-30.     When we are feeling burdened, we must run to God and lay our concerns at his feet. It is only with his help that we will be able to find true rest.    

Davis is the Editor-in-Chief for the Liberty Champion. Follow her on X.