After denouncing the cities in the area for not heeding his message, Jesus praised God and said,
“You have hidden these things from the wise and revealed them to the little children. All things have been committed to me by my father. No one knows the son except the father, and no one knows the father except the son and those to whom the son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all 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 will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
What the story means to us today
Letting Christianity remove your burden
Jesus says, “Come to me and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. You will find rest for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Jesus is not referring to his burden but rather, is telling us that following his teachings is refreshing and unburdening. Jesus is humble and gentle and would not seek to burden us. He wants to make our lives easier! All we have to do is follow the Christian tenets that God delivered to us through Jesus.
Additional thoughts and considerations
Praise for God is expected from all of us
According to Luke, Jesus’ message was delivered to the disciples after 72 disciples returned from a successful mission. Jesus points out that even though many sophisticated men from the large cities refused his message (the “wise and learned” who think they already know everything), there were still many who openly accepted Jesus’ teachings.
Jesus reiterates that his message derives from God (“all things have been committed to me by my Father”) and that his task is to reveal God’s message to mankind. It should be noted that the verses tell us Jesus did this through praise.
What does “praising God” mean? Although there are several Hebrew words that can be translated as “praise”, in this instance (and many other instances throughout the Bible), the word means “to acknowledge”. Praise of God is acknowledgment and thankfulness for who God is and what he has done from mankind. Praising God is expected of all of us.
No one knows the Father except the Son
Matthew tells us,
“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
Some find this passage confusing. Jesus chooses who to reveal God’s message to? Why is Jesus allowed to make that decision? God provided Jesus with the powerful relationship as his “son” (which Jesus acknowledges with humble praise). The unusual relationship was gradually revealed to the disciples over time, likely revealed slowly so they could easily understand it. Ultimately, the relationship is revealed in its entirety when Jesus is resurrected from the dead. Jesus was God’s messenger.
You must remind yourself that Jesus’ relationship to God was different and wholly unique. No other human on earth has had the same relationship with God that Jesus had. God revealed his message of salvation through Jesus, not directly to man. Jesus was the sole conduit for the message and was granted much power by God to ensure the message was delivered in a manner that would produce a long-lasting impact on mankind.
Who are the weary?
Jesus says,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened.” Who are the burdened Jesus refers to and why are they weary?
Jesus is offering his message to everyone because everyone incurs burdens in their lives. Sometimes weariness results from the stress of everyday life. Often however, burden comes as a result of sin. There is a price to pay for sin and that price can grind a person down. Regardless of the cause, following Jesus’ teachings helps guide a person through these burdens.
Bible Text
NIV
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
The New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011. Print.
The NET Bible
11:25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children. 11:26 Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will. 11:27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son decides to reveal him. 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 11:29 Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 11:30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.”
Biblical Studies Press. The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press, 2006. Print.
New King James Version
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982. Print.
The Message
25–26 Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: “Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.”
27 Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. “The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I’m not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.
28–30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Peterson, Eugene H. The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005. Print.
King James Version
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
The Holy Bible: King James Version. Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009. Print.