Come, Take, Learn

By Joe Slater
    Can you imagine how frustrated Jesus must have  felt when the very people who ought to have recognized and welcomed Him stubbornly refused? Nevertheless, He continued offering salvation to those humble enough to accept it.“Come to Me, all you 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” (Matthew 11:28-29).    This beautiful invitation has three imperatives. The first is “come.” While He was on earth in the flesh people could physically come to Him, but even then (as now) coming to Jesus required faith and obedience. Those who bore heavy burdens of sin and trials found rest in Him. That is still the case.    Then Jesus said, “Take.” Take My yoke upon you. A yoke is an instrument of service such as oxen would wear to pull a plow or cart. Yes, we must serve our Savior. But whereas an ox yoke might gall and chafe the animal’s neck or shoulder, Jesus’ yoke is “easy” (v. 30). Serving Him brings delight in contrast to the crushing misery of sin.    Finally, Jesus said, “Learn.” We cannot know how to serve Him and enjoy rest unless we learn from Him. We learn from what He taught as we read through the gospels. In the same way we learn from what He did as we observe His mercy, His obedience, His power, His faith, His suffering, His anger, His patience (and you can extend that list indefinitely).    Come. Take. Learn. Those three simple steps form a good summary of what discipleship involves. His invitation is for you. Will you accept it?

- Joe Slater serves as minister of the Church of Christ in Justin, TX. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://justinchurchofchrist.com