Day 16 – Walk with Me

Matthew 11:28-29

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 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.

One of the beautiful gifts of our salvation and inheritance in Jesus is His invitation for us to walk with Him. Maybe you’ve never considered what it means to ‘walk’ with God. Maybe this is exactly what your friendship with God feels just like. When we return to where humankind and God first began in relationship together in the Garden of Eden, we see the beauty of the gift of walking with God, and how it was always His desire.

In the beginning, God and humans were in perfect union. Adam and Eve heard God “walking in the garden in the cool of the day” (Gen. 3:18 ESV). It was perfect, a paradise of peace and rest. The devastating curse of sin removed our access and proximity to God (Gen. 3:23). The very gift that Jesus redeemed for us on the cross is direct access to His presence, that we may too now live in union with Christ (Eph. 3:12). To abide in Christ, just like the beginning, to live in His presence every moment (1 Jn. 4:15)!

This sounds like paradise! Quite like the Garden of Eden. Walking together with God — our inheritance in Christ! How do we walk with Him? Jesus’ invitation is simply ‘“Come to Me.” To those burdened “by religious rituals that provide no peace” like the Pharisees (Matthew 11:28 AMP), his promise, “I will give you rest” is the rest of salvation. It refreshes our souls when we receive all that He has paid for, that we may now walk with Him as friends of God.

Yokes were heavy wooden crossbars that were used to connect two oxen together for efficient ploughing. Jesus’ yoke here represents His teaching. Our submission to Him as disciples means that we get to walk in peace — it’s not laborious, like keeping requirements of the Jewish leaders of the time, but instead it is joyful. His burden is light.

Jesus’ invitation is to, “Simply join your life with Mine,” or ‘bend your yoke to My yoke’ (Matthew 11:29 TPT). This means to work as one together with Christ. Our focus is not the work or toil, but rather union with Christ. Another way to say it is “walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it” (Matthew 11:29 MSG). Jesus’ invitation is simple and about returning to the rest of friendship with God – walking with Him just like they did in the garden.

Family Discussion Questions

1. Read Matthew 11:30 (MSG). What does it mean to “keep company with God”?

2. What does it mean that God has given you “rest for your souls”?

Response - Act

Take some time today to be quiet in God’s presence. Find a comfortable spot to sit, or go for a walk in nature. Be aware of God’s presence in your life and rest in Him. Allow His Spirit to nourish you and strengthen you.