"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." (Mt 11:28-30)
The characters of the persons invited: all who labour and are burdened. To these people Jesus offers rest. He has not specified the type of labour and burdens. It could be all: physical, social, emotional, cultural, moral and even religious. People were burdened with many rules and restrictions. There were too many to remember even and people were over burdened.
Jesus speaks of a yoke that is light and easy. Living the life in the kingdom and following the way of Jesus is easy and light. Yet it is a yoke. Because he has said: anyone who wants to be follower of mine let him deny himself and pick up his cross and follow after me. Life itself is a yoke and following Jesus is a yoke that is easy and light.
Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart. He is the teacher. Most of the teachers are hot and hasty. This does not help the students (disciples) who are dull and slow. Jesus is compassionate with the ignorant. He knows how to open their understanding. He is humble enough to go down to the level of the disciple and to teach him. (even when they are men of little faith even when they did not understand the parables…)
