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Proper 9A

Issues

1. Come unto me
   1.  This phrase in the new covenant implies simply, believing in Christ, and becoming his disciple, or follower. Adam Clarke Commentary
   2. Here he shows to whom he is pleased to reveal these things to the weary and heavy laden;  John Wesley Notes
   3. The kings and earth and the great are usually difficult of access, while Jesus is not only willing, but invites us, to come to him. People's New Testament Commentary
   4. The kings and earth and the great are usually difficult of access, while Jesus is not only willing, but invites us, to come to him. Spurgeon's Commentary on Matthew
   5. Come. Isa 45:22-25; 53:2; 55:1-3; Joh 6:37; 7:37; Re 22:17 Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2. All ye that labor and are heavy laden
   1. The Jews, heavily laden with the burdensome rites of the Mosaic institution, rendered still more oppressive by the additions made by the scribes and Pharisees, who, our Lord says, (Mt 23:4,) bound on heavy burdens; and labouring, by their observance of the law, to make themselves pleasing to God, are here invited to lay down their load, and receive the salvation procured for them by Christ. Adam Clarke Commentary
   2.  There can be no doubt, however, that he meant here chiefly to address the poor, lost, ruined sinner; the man burdened with a consciousness of his transgressions, trembling at his danger, and seeking deliverance. For such there is relief. Christ tells them to come to him, to believe in him, and to trust him, and him only, for salvation. Doing this he will give them rest--rest from their sins; from the alarms of conscience; from the terrors of the law; and from the fears of eternal death. Albert Barnes Commentary
3. I will give you rest
   1. -I alone (for none else can) will freely give you (what ye cannot purchase) rest from the guilt of sin by justification, and from the power of sin by sanctification.  John Wesley Notes
   2.  That to come unto Christ in the phrase of the New Testament is to believe in him, and to become one of his disciples. He that cometh unto me shall not hunger, he that believteh on me shall not thirst. Joh 6:35.  William Burkitt Notes
4. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me
   1. Strange paradox! that a man already weary and overloaded must take a new weight upon him, in order to be eased and find rest! But this advice is similar to that saying, Ps 55:22. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain thee; i.e. trust thy soul and concerns to him, and he will carry both thyself and thy load. Adam Clarke Commentary
   2. The two steps by which we come, and secure the promise of "rest unto our souls" are then (1) Submission to Christ, (2) Becoming his disciples.  People's New Testament Commentary
5. I am meek and lowly in heart
6. Ye shall find rest unto your souls
   1. As Christ's willingness to empty Himself to the uttermost of His Father's requirements was the spring of ineffable repose to His own Spirit, so in the same track does He invite all to follow Him, with the assurance of the same experience.  Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary
7. For my yoke is easy
   1. Or rather gracious, sweet, benign, delightful:  John Wesley Notes
   2. May easily be carried. For his commandments are not grievous, for all who are born of God overcome the world; 1Jo 5:4.  1599 Geneva Bible Notes
8. And my burden is light
   1. Contrary to those of men, is ease, liberty, and honour.  John Wesley Notes