URC Daily Devotion Friday 19th December 2025

St Matthew 11: 25 – 30

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  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.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Reflection

Alan Gaunt’s Communion hymn “‘Come to me’, says Jesus” set to the tune Glenfinlas, matches text and tune beautifully.  His hymn reflects one of the strands of this seminal passage: that divine truth is not hidden from those the world counts as simple and unlearned, whether child or adult.

The primary challenge of this scripture to all who pay heed, is the assertion that Jesus, as God’s beloved Son, is in perfect harmony with God’s will. This proves to be Jesus’ verdict on those in authority who have rejected him or failed to respond to his mission. And it is a pointer to essential characteristics of present and future disciples, – openness, innocence and vulnerability count for more in God’s kingdom than legal or academic prowess, or social standing. This is not to despise or belittle learning or authority, but to put it in proper perspective.  Clergy ‘tak tent’.

Alan Gaunt’s hymn acknowledges Christ’s offer in Scripture ‘come to me all you who are weary and burdened’.  So we sing ‘Come to me’, says Jesus ‘all who are distressed; take my yoke upon you, I will give you rest’. This mirrors Bonhoeffer’s heartfelt hymn ‘We turn to God when we are sorely pressed’. When illusions of control, position, and power are stripped away we become open to our dependency on God. It is then that we can exchange our burdens for the gentle guiding Christ offers us. ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ indeed.

Prayer

Gracious God
how much I need to accept
the offer of Christ’s peace in my life.
How difficult in the busyness of daily life
I find it to accept your gift.
Let your Spirit so work within me
that I accept your offer,
and  discern your guiding hand
at work in my life this Advent.
Amen