THE MEEKNESS OF CHRIST
Devotion #5 of 13
"I am meek and lowly in heart" -- Jesus
COME TO ME!
Our involvement required
The necessity of divine intervention is not meant to suppress human initiative. At this point the heart of Christ is revealed. He is approachable, and that because He wants to be. It is His nature to receive those that seek Him. "Come unto Me!" is the means God uses to draw people to Christ (John 6:44). The power to approach Christ rides upon the wings of His invitation.
Labor and heavy laden
Notice those that are bidden to come to Jesus; "ye that labor and are heavy laden." If the wisdom of the world could not lift our burdens, it certainly cannot relate the mighty Savior of the world with our need. "Labor" speaks of fatiguing effort that is yielding no satisfactory fruit. It is a term of vanity and pointlessness. These are they whose labor God has given "to the locust" (Psa 78:6). Their strength has dissipated, and is unable to sustain them. The Word of God is fulfilled in them; "Therefore He brought down their heart with labor; they fell down, and there was none to help" (Psa 107:12). Life thus becomes a burden because it has not yielded "the peaceable fruit of righteousness" (Heb 12:11).
The labor of which Jesus speaks is much like placing wages in a bag full of holes (Hag 1:6), or hewing out cisterns that can hold no water (Jer 2:13). It is not productive--that is what makes it so burdensome. It is a labor without hope that casts an unbearable burden upon the individual--a burden only Jesus can lift.
All who choose to live without Christ are under a heavy burden. The Law is against them, pointing out their guilt and demanding more from them than they are able to give. Their conscience is against them, oppressing them because of their waywardness and failure to live up to their own expectations, to say nothing of the Lord's requirements.
The Christ to Whom "all power" has been given, invites those in a weakened state to come to Him. His power will not consume them; it will not frighten them; it will not even discourage them! The Savior is "meek and lowly of heart." He comes to help the weak and lift up the fallen. His power will be used for their recovery, thereby bringing honor to the Father.