Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 3 of 5
Devotional: July 21st

Matthew 11:20-30

It was in the villages of Galilee that the Lord Jesus had performed most of His miracles. But their hearts had remained closed, just as Isaiah had prophesied: "Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?" (Isaiah 53:1). To this question, however, the Lord Jesus can "at that time" (v. 25) give a reply and can give thanks to His Father. "Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes." Then, turning towards the people, He cries, "Come unto me." "Come with this child-like faith. None other than Myself can reveal the Father to you. And learn not only through the words of My mouth, but of Me, by My example, for I am ’meek and lowly in heart’" (Ephesians 4:20-21).

With the Lord Jesus we find two things in apparent contradiction: rest and yoke. The latter is the heavy piece of wood, used to hitch up oxen, symbol of obedience and service. But the Lord’s yoke is a light one: His yoke was the will of His Father, to accomplish which was all His delight. At the same time the redeemed one exchanges the fatigue and burden of sin (v. 28) for the joyful devotion of love (2 Corinthians 8:3-5). "Blessed are the meek" the Lord Jesus had said (Matthew 5:5). Do they not have the privilege of being like Him?