What Jesus Did! 'Find Rest in Me' — Matthew 11:29-30

Thursday, May 29, 2025

[Jesus continued:] "Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."
— Matthew 11:29-30 NLT

Key Thought

Rest! Doesn't that sound nice? In a culture that has gone mad for business and activity and has exchanged recreation for rest, it sounds especially nice. But we must not be deceived. Jesus' way isn't necessarily simple. His call to discipleship isn't escapism. But there is a difference between doing nothing and resting. There is a difference between being burdened and doing strenuous things. In a world where so many things we chase for gratification leave us depleted, Jesus is promising that when we take up our cross and follow him, he can give us rest - that restorative, nurturing, and rekindling strength that gives us the power to face what life brings and Satan throws in our paths.

Today's Prayer

Holy God, I know you set a cycle into this world by resting on the seventh day. I believe Jesus when he says he brings rest to those who are burdened and weary. Please forgive me when I've tried to be my own strength and survive on too little rest or on false rest. I want to place my life, my soul, in Jesus' care and honor him. Help me please, dear Father, to find his rest. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

25 Related Resources by Heartlight

Come to the Lord for the Rest You Need
Devo: Spiritual Warfare
"Come to me, all who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Place my yoke over your shoulders, and learn from me, because I am..."
Find Rest for Your Soul
Devo: Together in Christ
"Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you,..."
Matthew 11:28-30
Devo: Today's Verse
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you...."
light as a feather
Illustration of Matthew 11:30
My yoke is easy, my burden is light. - Matthew 11:30
See All 25 Related Resources about Matthew 11:29-30

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 11:29-30 NLT — "Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, May 29, 2025

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God's Army that Is With Us' (2 Ki. 6:16-17)
"Elisha said, "Don’t be afraid. The army that fights for us is larger than the one against us." Then Elisha prayed, "Lord, open my servant’s eyes, and...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Sticking to the Formula' (Acts 16:13)
"[After arriving in Philippi several days before,] on the Sabbath we [Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke] went a little way outside the city to a..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Depending on God'
"Dear Precious Child of the Father, My people have had to face hostile trials for their faith all throughout history. I'm not talking about the..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'The Spirit of Truth' (Jn. 14:16-18)
"[Jesus said,] "I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!