Wonderful Counselor

Kelli Baker

Advent Series 2023

Day Three

Where are you searching for rest and how might you turn your attention to Jesus during this advent season?

In today’s passage, Jesus calls to all sinners and tells them to come to him and learn from him. Jesus’ ministry on earth was to show the world his character and teach his disciples how to walk with him. His goal was to demonstrate what it looks like to love God and love others. When we follow Christ, we are filled with the Holy Spirit. He walks with us and shows us a better way.

A counselor’s job is to work with the individual to create more effective patterns and a better quality of life. In the military, a counselor might help identify specific goals to reach for professional development.

As Wonderful Counselor, Jesus yokes us to him and leads the way. Jesus teaches us his ways as we are yoked to him. A yoke is a wooden crosspiece that attaches two animals together and is attached to a cart or a plow. Jesus used this description because the listeners in that day would understand the importance of a yoke. The younger oxen would be yoked to an older oxen to learn the way.

However, Jesus describes himself as gentle and lowly, or humble. He offers rest for our souls when we come to him and take his yoke. He doesn’t say to strive for more or keep working harder. He says to learn from his gentleness and humility. His advice is to find rest in him.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for the rest Jesus provides. Remind us of Jesus’ gentleness and humility as we come to him. Amen.