December 11: Come to Me
♫ Music:
Day 12—Thursday, December 11
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
COME TO ME
This passage, one of my favorites in all of scripture, is an amazing picture of the understanding that Christ has for the human condition. Perhaps even more importantly, it is a picture of His understanding of each of us and our condition. For who among us has not felt weary and heavy-laden? Perhaps even now as you read these words, you feel it deep in your soul. You are weary and heavy-laden.
Let’s get this straight, I’m not talking about a hard day’s labor and ready for a good night’s sleep weariness! That’s something an Advil can take care of.
No, this is different. I’m talking about that bone-deep weariness that accompanies the loss of a job, or a good friend to cancer, or perhaps a chronic illness that leaves you in pain every day. The loss of a spouse, a parent, or a child. These are the things that leave you reeling and confused, asking, “why me, God?” This is the type of weariness where you are at the end of your rope, hanging on for dear life, shouting out in anger at a world where no one seems to care or be able to provide relief.
These are the things that make us weary and heavy-laden, to the core of our being, and these are the things that we humans experience every day.
I can’t tell you how encouraged I am to know that Christ understands and cares about our weariness and burden. He knows the pain of sorrow and grief, and He knows how we might find rest for our souls. The answer, found in the following verses, is simple: “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.”
What an amazing promise! You can give your burden, whatever unbearable burden you are carrying, to Christ, and He will exchange it for a yoke that fits you perfectly. It is important to notice here that He doesn’t remove the walk we are on, but He makes it bearable and will bring rest for your soul!
In this Christmas season, are you finding the joy of Christ’s birth overshadowed by the weariness and burdens you are carrying? There is an answer from the One who knows us better than anyone. “Bring it to Me and I will give you. . . rest!”
This is my prayer for you for this Christmas season, and every day hereafter: May you find the peace and relief from your burden that only Christ can give. May you remember that the Savior knows and understands your trials and wants to replace your yoke for His, for His is easy and light. And may your soul find rest.
Amen!
Rick Bee, Senior Director of Alumni & Parent Relations
Head of Christ
Rembrandt
Oil on canvas
About the Artist and Art
Dutch painter Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606 – 1669), is considered one of the greatest artists of all time. His contributions to art came in a period of great wealth and cultural achievement known as the Dutch Golden Age. He is most famous for his portraits, but Rembrandt's greatest creative triumphs are exemplified in the numerous scenes he painted from the Bible. He is often praised for his understanding and empathy for the human condition, which he observed in his hometown of Amsterdam. Here we have a painting which demonstrates all of Rembrandt’s great skills: his Christ draws us in with a gentle look and empathy in his eyes, a tilt of the head and downcast eyes as if to say to some unseen visitor, yes, I see you, and I understand.
About the Music
Come to Me Lyrics
Come to me, you weary one.
And I will give you rest.
I will give you rest.
Come to me, you weary one.
And I will give you rest.
I will give you rest.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Take me upon you, I will give you rest.
Come to me, you broken one.
And I will give you peace.
I will give you peace.
Come to me, you broken one.
And I will give you peace.
I will give you peace.
I will calm your waters, and I will whisper,
"Peace be still."
Take me upon you, I will give you peace.
Come to me, you burdened one.
And I will give you joy.
I will give you joy.
Come to me, you burdened one.
And I will give you joy.
I will give you joy.
You will rise like eagles, and my joy will be your strength.
Take me upon you, I will give you joy.
Come to me
I have been waiting for you here.
He has been waiting for you here.
Come. Come to Him.
Come and find your peace.
Come and find your rest.
Come and find your joy.
He is waiting here for you.
He is waiting here for you with open arms,
To hold you, to embrace your heart, to love you.
He is waiting here.
About the Performer
Kari Jobe (b. 1981) is an associate worship pastor at Gateway Church in Southlake, TX. Both of her studio albums (released in 2009 and 2012) have debuted on the Billboard 200 list. She won two Dove awards for her first album, and released her first live worship album early in 2014.
http://karijobe.com/