Mark Tabata’s Weekday Devotionals: Wednesday May 28 2025
Matthew 11:28-30-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.”
While the New Testament is written in Greek, the language that Jesus and first century Jews likely often spoke was Aramaic. When we consider that, we see even more amazing depths to the Word of God. An example comes from Jesus words here in Matthew 11:28-30. Look at the “rest” that Jesus offers His people, and it’s interesting connection with camels in that day and age.
“The word in Greek for rest is Ana Pauo, which means to pause from labor. Jesus spoke this word in Aramaic, which is much more poetic and expressive. The Aramaic word for rest used in these passages is Nucha. It comes from an old Ugaritic word NH and the Akkadian and Persian word Nahu, which is a reference to a camel’s resting place. Arabic grew out of the Persian language. There are about 160 words in Arabic for camel; this is one of them. When a Semitic person heard the word Nucha, he pictured a camel at rest, content, and satisfied. This is what a first-century Eastern man pictured when Jesus said that he would give him rest. He would give him a sense of satisfaction and contentment. In the Western world we have little concept of what a camel is. We consider them unruly, temperamental, stubborn, and angry creatures. Actually, a camel is a docile and very sweet creature, under a caring hand. Only when it is ill-treated can it become stubborn and angry. Although a camel can carry around 1,000 pounds, its master will burden him down with but just a third of that weight. In its origins as a pack animal, camels were used to carry frankincense, the fragrance of a king. Jesus is saying that He is the caring master, and the burden we carry is just the fragrance of our King, who does not force us to carry more than we can bear. When He gives us rest, he is like the camel driver, who allows his camels to relax and cool themselves. His burden is light, a burden yes, but one that carries His fragrance does not break backs. Although a camel can carry around 1,000 pounds, its master will not burden him down with but just a third of that weight.” (Dr. JimmRichards & Chaim Bentorah, Ten Words That will Change Everything You Know About God: Seeing God As He Really Is, 121 (Kindle Edition): Travelers Rest, SC: True Potential)
In these words, Jesus reminds us that He will not put any burden on us that we cannot bear (with His help). This is similar to what Paul wrote:
1 Corinthians 10:13-No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Not only does Jesus promise that He will not place any burdens on us that we cannot bear (as long as we are walking with Him), but we see also that Jesus Himself is our place of contentment, rest, and peace.
Psalm 18:2-The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
When you face the hustle and bustle of life and feel that you are overwhelmed, take a moment and tell it to Jesus. He will give you the strength to endure.
John 14:14-If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
Psalm 29:11-The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.
Finally, whatever burden you are bearing, let it be used for Jesus’ glory, just as the frankincense that the camel bears for his king. Trust that whatever you are bearing can be used to bring honor to the Lamb.
Lord Jesus, thank You for being our resting place and our shelter in difficult times. You never ask from us more then we can give. May our trials be used to bring glory to You. Guide us now through this day, and give us rest as we need it. We thank You and we praise You. Amen.
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