Using some of the most beautiful words ever spoken, Jesus lovingly calls:
 
            “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  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. For My yoke is easy and My                       burden is light.” (Matthew 11:18-30)

What an invitation! Jesus, the Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6), offers comfort and rest to “all” who will come. But Jesus not only said “come to Me”, He also said, “learn of Me.” To be a “disciple” is to be a “learner” (lit.), a pupil, a student of Jesus. He is the pattern for every Christian (1 Cor 11:1), the focus of every sermon (Acts 8:35), the motive for every decision (2 Cor 5:14), and the source of every blessing (Eph 1:3). To find rest, one must not only “come” to Him, but “learn” of Him.

I recently read an article that told of a Christian revival in Rwanda years ago. In describing things that contributed to it’s success, the article claimed, “Christians were known for asking one another, ‘What have you learned about Jesus today?’”

What an outstanding question! The pursuit of Jesus is essential to spiritual blessing. Change will not happen without it (Rom 10:17, 12:1-2). True growth can not occur in its absence. The Apostle Peter proclaimed, “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3). Are you pursing this knowledge? In other words, “What have you learned about Jesus today?”

- Josh Allen (Pikeville, KY)

The apostles taught that Jesus is the Christian's example in all things. To Paul, He is the pattern to imitate (1 Cor 11:1). To Peter, He is the Shepherd whose footsteps Christians are to follow (1 Peter 2:21,25). To John, He is the Servant who led by example (John 13:13-17). There are countless attributes of Jesus which are worthy of emulation, however let it be noted today that Jesus was a prayerful person. 

A survey of His life reveals:

• He prayed alone before He His day began (Mark 1:35)
• He prayed alone in the afternoon (Matthew 14:23; Luke 9:18, Lk 5:16)
• He prayed with His disciples in the afternoon (Luke 9:28-29)
• He prayed alone at night...all night (Luke 6:12)
• He prayed in public (Matthew 11:25-27; John 11:41-42, 12:27-28)
• He prayed before important decisions (Luke 6:12-13)
• He prayed at important events (i.e. after His baptism, Luke 3:21-22)
• He prayed in moments of deep agony (Lk 22:42; Matthew 27:46)
• He prayed to before meals (Mk 8:6; Mt 26:26; Luke 24:30)
• He prayed to teach others (Matthew 6:9-13)
• He prayed for others (Lk 22:31-32)
• He prayed for His disciples (John 17:6-19)
• He prayed for His future disciples (John 17:20-26)
• He prayed for children (Matthew 19:13-15)
• He prayed for His enemies (Luke 23:34)
• He prayed to heal (Mark 7:34-35)
• He prayed with thanksgiving (John 11:41-42; Luke 10:21-22)
• He prayed with loud cries and tears (Hebrews 5:7)
• He prayed the same prayer multiple times (Matthew 26:39,42,44)
• He prayed short prayers (John 12:27-28)
• He prayed long prayers (John 17:1-26; Lk 6:12)
• He prayed kneeling (Lk 22:41)
• He prayed standing (John 17:1)
• He prayed laying prostrate with His face in the ground (Matthew 26:39)
• He prayed according to the Father's will (Mt 26:36-44)
• He prayed with His dying breath (Lk 23:46)
• He prayed before He ascended back to Heaven (Luke 24:50-53)

The prayer life of Jesus helps one understand the command "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Jesus was continually prayerful. He placed a priority on prayer. It was a large part of His day and His life. What an amazing (and challenging) example to follow!


- Josh Allen (Pikeville, KY)