Devotion:
For an audio version of this devotion, click here.
Read Matthew 11:28-30.
Imagine being a Jewish person in Jesus’ time. The Pharisees and teachers of the law urged you to obey every detail of every one of the laws and rules in order to gain God’s favor. As an example, they taught that it was not enough to simply obey the commandment that one was to honor the Sabbath and do no work on that day. People had asked how far one could walk on the Sabbath before it became work and constituted breaking the Sabbath. Scholars had studied this and had decided that one could walk no more than six tenths of a mile without breaking the Sabbath. There were rules about how to wash one’s hands before and during eating, about what to do with a plate if it became ceremonially unclean, and on and on. Just knowing the rules was hard enough, but following all of them was nearly impossible. Trying to earn God’s love had become a heavy burden for the Jews.
Jesus came, asking people to simply believe in and follow him. This is why he said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened…find rest for your souls…and my burden is light.” That invitation calls out to us today, burdened by life, to accept the good news of Christ, to have faith, and to follow him.
Personal Worship Option:
Give thanks today that God’s love is given to us as grace – unearned and not deserved. Accept that grace and pray for deeper, more committed faith in Jesus Christ. Look today for ways to walk more closely with him.
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