“Follow me” is the essential call of discipleship, a rabbi inviting a disciple to follow his example and teachings. This is the way Jesus called His disciples, but in His day, there were many rabbis, each with his own “take” on the Torah (Law) and how to best live a life that pleased God. Let’s look at a gospel passage to see how Jesus viewed His invitation to walk with Him—as well as how He viewed the people who would answer that call.
Illustration by Jeff Gregory
BACKGROUND
In a rabbi-disciple relationship in first-century Judaism, the disciple made a commitment of total obedience and dedication to the rabbi’s teachings, philosophy, and interpretation of the Torah. This was known as “taking on the yoke” of the rabbi.
READ
Matthew 11:28-30
REFLECT
What burdens are you carrying that make you feel weary and heavy-laden? How does it feel to imagine Jesus speaking today’s verses to you personally?
It was quite an honor to be chosen as a disciple. Rabbis typically selected only the most impressive students—the ones who showed the greatest potential for becoming the next generation of teachers of Torah. By contrast, Jesus calls the weary to take His yoke (v. 28). What does that reveal to you about His character?
Throughout His ministry, Jesus addressed crowds who were suffering oppression under Roman rule. But He also boldly critiqued the scribes and Pharisees—the dominant religious leaders of the day. He claimed that they crushed people with unbearable religious demands and wouldn’t lift a finger to ease those burdens, creating a different sort of oppression. (See Matt. 23:1-39, especially v. 4.) What does it mean to you that Jesus took a stand for the downtrodden?
GOING DEEPER
In Matthew 11:29, Jesus quotes from the prophet Jeremiah: “Thus says the Lord, ‘Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls’” (Jer. 6:16). The nation of Judah was at a crossroads moment in their history. They’d rejected the “ancient ways” of the Lord, and He was calling them to come back to Him and find rest. Judah, however, refused.
REFLECT
Many times, when we choose our own ways, we find ourselves weary yet still refuse to turn back to God.
Are there areas of your life where you’re resisting Jesus’ yoke in favor of burdens that you have either created or accepted from others? What do you think makes it difficult to exchange the two?
How do you imagine Jesus responding to you when you are struggling and weary? We can take heart by remembering that He is our Great High Priest, and “we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). Jesus is sympathetic to everything we go through as we strive to follow Him.
Jesus promises that if we take on His yoke and learn from Him, we will find rest for our souls (Matt. 11:29). How do you think that differs from physical rest or relief from external circumstances? In what ways have you experienced Jesus’ promise for yourself?
REFLECT
The restfulness of obeying Jesus is rooted in His character—in the truth that He is gentle and lowly (humble) in heart.
The call to come to Jesus to find rest for your soul is a standing invitation. No matter where you are, He is inviting you to bring your burdens to Him.
