Recently I received an invitation to a dinner. It is a dinner that many people have been invited to attend. When a person receives an invitation they may either accept or decline. It is their choice. Usually we accept if we know the person well, have the time and know the cook is going to have something scrumptious to eat. We may decline if we are not going to be in town, have another commitment or know that the food we will be served is not going to be very good. It is always a choice. In the Scriptures, Jesus offers an invitation. We read in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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.” (NASB) Many times we refer to this as the great invitation. Jesus calls for “all” to come to him. Everyone who is weary, everyone who is heavy laden are invited to come. What kind of struggles do you have in your life? Jesus’ call is to you. He desires to lighten your load and help you on your journey. Jesus said to “take my yoke”. A yoke was used to join two animals together so that when pulling a load it was not as difficult. Jesus says we are to be yoked together with him. What a promise! Here is Jesus, side by side with us, helping us to carry the load. Of course this means we will submit to Him and obey the things He asked us to do. This also was the meaning of the yoke in the first century. When we are yoked together with Jesus we will be able to take the things in life that are crushing. Jesus makes life easier to bear and with him we have hope whereas the world offers no hope. Jesus helps us through the times of loneliness, death of loved ones, disappointment and all things that would hinder us today. If we attempt to bear our burdens alone we will struggle unnecessarily. We take on his yoke by learning of him. By knowing what the New Testament teaches about becoming a child of God and remaining faithful to God throughout our lives. This is one invitation I will accept!