Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
(Mat 11:28-30)

1. Background
Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
(Mat 11:2-6)

These are the words of Jesus after speaking concerning John the Baptist.
- John heard about the works (labors) of Christ
- Could be for John’s followers to build their faith in believing in Christ
- John 3:30, that Christ increase as John’s ministry comes to completion
- The work or labor of Christ would have even caused Sodom to repent
- Strange that Jesus ended talking about laboring, according to His way
- The works of Jesus leads to salvation
G4991
σωτηρία
sōtēria
so-tay-ree'-ah
Feminine of a derivative of G4990 as (properly abstract) noun; rescue or safety (physically or morally): - deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.

G4992
σωτήριον
sōtērion
so-tay'-ree-on
Neuter of the same as G4991 as (properly concrete) noun; defender or (by implication) defence: - salvation.

2. Labor
- Definition: productive activity for sake of economic gain, wages. Physical, mental work or task to be completed. Striving toward a goal. A process of giving birth. Whatever the definition is the end is achieving something of value.

- 2 kinds of labor: Fruitful or vain.
Labor that brings fruitfulness will not be burdensome.

And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
(Gen 29:20)

If our energy is laboring for an unexpected outcome we can hate the fruits of our labor, perhaps regret because it seemed to be in vain.

And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
(Gen 29:31)

Some labor for the temporal and some for eternal rewards. We can’t focus on too many things, focus on the eternal brings eternal blessings.

2. Heavy laden or cares
Cares of this world that can choke us leading to unfruitfulness.

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
(Mat 13:22)

Our anxieties that burden us to cause us to loose peace and joy. Speaks of slavery as the Israelites suffered under the Egyptians. What about guilt? We are not to carry burdens or guilt or any such as leads us to unending worries.

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
(1Pe 5:7)

3. The invitation of Christ. Only He can offer true rest which He has the power to give! We must believe in His authority to release us from vain labor and heavy burdens because He has already overcome. Can we depend on one that hasn’t overcome; neither can we depend on ourselves?

4. Yoke
It is the joining of ourselves to our Savior, not Christ joining us (an inexperienced or lesser joined to a greater). To be yoked to Christ means taking off the yoke of slavery into a Christ’s yoke of freedom not to sin and living in righteousness. Taking the yoke of Christ means self denial of sin to live a life of obedience and do acts of righteousness. This is because we learn of Him and take on His character of meekness and humility. Learning is a process that will expose us to what we need to unlearn in order to learn. However it’s a yoke that is lined with love which leads to rest. It’s a leading yoke not a driving yoke, which leads us to still waters of spiritual refreshment. It’s a yoke that is not forced.

5. What then is the fruit of our laboring in Christ?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
(Gal 5:22)

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
(Rom 15:13)

Our laboring in Christ brings a deep sense of eternity because there is abounding hope, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

6. Conclusion
Remember that Christ yoke is easy and His burden light is because He leads us, not drive us, to abundant life on earth and eternal life thereafter (continuity). But the truth is that we are to eventually learn/understand Christ of self denial that His character of meekness and humility may become ours to own. This truth then leads us to a place of rest for our souls.

Meek doesn’t equal Weak as we can see from these verses.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
(Mat 5:5)

The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
(Psa 22:26)

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
(Psa 37:11)

When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.
(Psa 76:9)

The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
(Psa 147:6)


For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
(Psa 149:4)

The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
(Isa 29:19)