MATTHEW 11:28-30
DEEPER STUDY # 1
(11:28-29) Christian’s Rest: note the difference between the two rests promised by Jesus Christ. They are the two greatest
rests imaginable. (Also see note—Heb.4:1-13 for more discussion.)
1. “I will give you rest” (v.28): first, there is the rest of salvation or justification. This is the rest of deliverance from
the slavery and bondage of sin, the power of Christ to conquer the enslaving habits that damage the human body and
destroy the human soul. It is the rest of conscience that comes to a person’s soul when he ceases his struggle in the
wilderness of sin. It is the rest of conquest and triumph which a person experiences when he conquers the enemies of
sin and evil through the power of Christ—day by day. It is the rest of victory through the daily storms of life.

2. “Ye shall find rest unto your souls” (v.29): second, there is the rest of sanctification or of pleasure and satisfaction,
of confidence and completeness. The rest is not a rest of inactivity, of no work, of an endless slumber, of the right to laziness.
It is a rest of three things.
a. It is a rest of refreshment: a rest of refreshing one’s body, mind, and spirit.
b. It is a rest that fits one for life: a rest that infuses a person with true purpose, meaning, and significance.
c. It is a rest of encouragement and motivation of soul: a rest that stirs a person to live and undertake his
God-given task with enthusiasm and vigor and endurance.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye
shall find rest unto your souls” (Mt.11:29).
“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die
in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours;
and their works do follow them” (Rev.14:13).



2
(11:29-30) Salvation—Purpose—Life: the second great invitation to this generation is, “Take my yoke upon you, and
learn of me.”
1. Why should a person take up the yoke of Christ? Why should a person begin to learn of Christ? There are three rea-
sons.
a. Christ is meek and lowly. Some owners of oxen were mean and harsh both in their training and in their
working of the oxen, but not Christ. He was meek and lowly, considerate and understanding, mild and
gentle, long-suffering and encouraging to every person who came to Him.
b. We will find rest (v.29). (See DEEPER STUDY # 1—Mt.11:28-29.)
c. Christ’s yoke is easy; His burden is light (v.30). The “yoke” refers to an oxen’s yoke. The yoke was a wooden
collar-like instrument placed on the neck and shoulders of the oxen. It was used for tying the ropes of a
plough to the oxen or for tying whatever load he had to pull. It was extremely important that the yoke be
fitted for the shoulders of the oxen to prevent rubbing the flesh raw and causing sores. At first the oxen
might have rebelled against the yoke, but he soon learned that it eased the burden of pulling. The yoke
refers to a man’s life and task while on earth.
The word “easy” (chrestos) can also mean well-fitting. Christ is saying that His yoke, His life and task,
are fitted to a person. It is just what a person needs, and it is easy, the easiest life and task the person could
live and undertake.

“Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might
be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for
the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to suc-
cour them that are tempted” (Heb.2:17-18).
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmi-
ties; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb.4:15).

Thought 1. Christ is meek and lowly. He cares and looks after us; He is concerned and compassionate knowing how
far we can go and how capable we are.

Thought 2. God made us; therefore, He has the right yoke (life and task) for us.

2. What are the conditions for finding this rest? There is only one condition. A person must simply take Christ’s yoke
and begin to learn of Him. This simply means that we are to learn how to live and labor under His leadership, direction, guid-
ance, and care.
Every man has his yoke, that is, his life to live and his task to do while on earth. From birth, he learns from others how to
live and how to do his task. Some teachers are hard taskmasters, and most courses in life lead to exhaustion and living under
heavy burdens. The only taskmaster who can teach and assure true rest (of body, mind, and spirit) is Christ, and the only
yoke that really fits and proves to be easy is the yoke or life and task of Christ.

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross daily, and follow me” (Lk.9:23).
“I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (Jn.10:10).
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth
much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing [of lasting value]” (Jn.15:5).

Thought 1. This is a command. If we wish “rest,” we must take His yoke upon us.
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