~ With Ease ~

[Lani]

John 10:1-10

1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.


Jesus said, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)




City dwellers, my husband and I were traveling a dirt road in rural Quebec when we came upon a cart piled high with wood and drawn by a team of yoked oxen. As the cart approached, we parked, bringing out our cameras. The farmer walking beside his animals halted them until we took pictures. Then he signaled to his oxen to walk and led them off into the quiet countryside.

I took away a pleasant memory of that scene, the man and his animals traveling harmoniously together. Through long association, the oxen knew their masters voice, recognizing him as a friend who fed them and attended to them. He did not add his weight to their burden but walked beside them.

This made me think of burdens that all of us bear and the way that Jesus, our Master, bids us learn from him. Through association, we can come to know his voice. We come to know that we can depend on his loving care. He never asks us to carry a burden greater than we can bear but first us with a yoke equal to our task. And he walks beside us. Our Lord’s loving kindness then becomes our attitude that flows out to everyone we associate with.





Prayer: Help us, Lord, to learn from you so that we will be better able to share your love with others. Amen.

Prayer Focus of Day: To Pattern Ourselves After Christ

Thought for the Day: The yoke Christ offers fits us and helps us with life’s burdens.

Story shared by: HK Schrum (Canada)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 9/29/11