Walk This Way: Come To Me

Matthew 11:28-30 – New International Version

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.”

John 14:15-18

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

John 15:26

26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.

In Matthew 11:29, when Jesus says, “ my yoke upon you”, the verb “take” is in the a-or-rist imperative.

What Does the Aorist Imperative Mean?

The aorist imperative often implies decisive, urgent action—something that must be done once and for all.

vs. Aorist Imperative: Why It Matters

• If Jesus had used the present imperative, it would imply an ongoing, habitual action—something to be done repeatedly or continuously.

• Instead, with the aorist imperative, He is saying: “Make a decisive choice—take my yoke now!”

Connection to Being Filled with the Spirit

2 Weeks ago… 

Galatians 5:24-25 (NLT)

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”

Paul emphasizes that to live by the Spirit, we must align every part of our lives with His leading.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT) – Living in the Light

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.”

A Spirit-filled life  Christ’s love, purity, and wisdom.

Ephesians 5:15-20 (NCV)

15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What Does the Present Imperative Mean?

The Greek word for “filled” here implies ongoing action—being continually filled with the Holy Spirit. This requires:

1. Actively seeking His presence daily.
2. Yielding control to Him.
3. Living in obedience to God’s Word.

1. The Spirit is Our in the Yoke

• Zechariah 4:6 – “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord.

Example from Jesus’ Life

• Jesus Himself was filled with the Holy Spirit at His baptism (Luke 3:22), then led by the Spirit (Luke 4:1).
• His entire ministry—healing, deliverance, preaching—was done by the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:18).
• If Jesus, as fully God and fully man, relied on the Holy Spirit, how much more should we?

2. The Spirit Brings & Refreshing (Not Striving)

• Isaiah 28:12 – “This is the resting place, let the weary rest”; and, “This is the place of repose”—but they would not listen.
• Acts 3:19 – “Times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord.”

3. The Spirit Us & Us in the Yoke

Jesus said, “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.” But how do we learn?

• John 14:26 – “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you.”
• Romans 8:14 – “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”

4. Being Filled with the Spirit Makes the Yoke

Jesus’ yoke is easy and light because:

• The Spirit bears the weight for us (Romans 8:26 – “The Spirit helps us in our weakness.”)
• The Spirit gives us joy in obedience (Galatians 5:22)
• The Spirit empowers us to love & serve without burnout (Acts 1:8)

Spirit-Empowered Life

• Without the Spirit, life feels like striving—trying to do God’s work in human strength.
• With the Spirit, life feels like partnership—flowing with God’s power.
  

What if our lives were marked by ease and dependency on the Spirit rather than constant pressure?

5. How Do We Take Jesus’ Yoke & Be Filled with the Spirit?

1. Surrender – Yield to Jesus & the Spirit’s leading.
2. Ask for the Spirit’s – Luke 11:13 (“How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”)
3. Walk in with the Spirit – Galatians 5:25 (“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”)
4. Live from rest, not – Lean on God’s power, not your own efforts.

Yoked to Jesus, Filled with the Spirit

Being yoked to Jesus is not about burden—it’s about walking in rhythm with Him, empowered by the Spirit.