The Signs of the Times
April 28, 1898
Christ's Invitation
“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” This invitation presented a direct contrast to the teaching of the priests and rulers. They laid heavy burdens upon men, enforcing ceremonies that reached to every step in life. The service of God was made a ritual burden, and the people were constantly under a sense of violation. They lived in continual unrest; for they could not possibly fulfil the requirements laid down by the priests. ST April 28, 1898, par. 1
The rigorous exactions bound on the Jews did exactly what Satan designed they should do. The people saw the impossibility of keeping man-made commandments, and this made them careless in regard to God's commandments. The commandments of men were placed on a level with the commandments of God. Wearing so grievous a yoke, the people could in no way present to the world a correct representation of God. ST April 28, 1898, par. 2
The Sabbath was so cumbered with useless restrictions by the priests that its true significance was lost. It was made a burden, and its meaning was hidden by traditions and man-made rights. This was done by the priests because they knew that their want of true godliness must be supplied by an outward pretense of piety. Christ declared: “They bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men; they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments.” ST April 28, 1898, par. 3
The rule of the Jewish priests was cold and loveless. Their many exactions could have originated only with the instigator of all sin. Christ said of these leaders: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith.” ST April 28, 1898, par. 4
“Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to His disciples, saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat; all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not.” It was the Lord's appointment that the Scriptures should be read publicly every seventh month. During their captivity the Jews had not observed this command. They repented of their sins, and when they returned to Jerusalem, they made request to have the Scriptures read to them. A platform was erected, and Ezra read to them from morning till midday. But sin had increased, and at the time of Christ's advent the priests taught for doctrine the commandments of men; and the people had become very ignorant of the Word of God. ST April 28, 1898, par. 5
Christ came to reveal God. He did not lay upon His followers so many exactions that they became discouraged, and by their actions taught that the law of God is a yoke of bondage. He invited the weary and heavy-laden to come to Him and find rest. He asked them to bring their cares and burdens to One who would indeed be to them a true helper. “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden,” He cried. Let the yoke that is so galling to the neck be exchanged for My yoke. You have received incorrect ideas of what constitutes godliness. Learn of Me, and you will find rest unto your souls. “For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” ST April 28, 1898, par. 6
Today it is claimed by some that the law of God is a yoke of bondage. But this is not so. The human additions to it are what makes it grievous to be borne. The law is holy, just, and good. But none can keep this law without accepting the righteousness of Christ. In His strength all may be wholly obedient. Through His grace they can show to the world a character like His, holding up by precept and example the high and holy standard of the divine law. They do not weave their own requirements with God's, passing them off as genuine. They have learned in the school of Christ, and ever, as did Mary, they will sit at His feet. Thus they may be teachers of truth. ST April 28, 1898, par. 7
Jesus came to our world, His divinity clothed with humanity, to live a man among men. He came to live the law of God. When He came, He found that the only nation that claimed to have a knowledge of God, was mistaking tradition for truth, and pretense for piety. Interest in internal things was well-nigh obliterated. Delusion was taught as truth. Eternal realities were obscured by phantoms. Satan had misinterpreted the Father. ST April 28, 1898, par. 8
Christ taught that temporal interests must be subordinated to the things of eternity. He urged men, instead of being all-absorbed in the things of time, to contemplate the life that measures with the life of God. He showed His followers the confederacy of evil arrayed against all who fix their eyes on heaven. He told them plainly that they were engaged in a warfare against Satanic instrumentalities, and that angels of God fought their battles for them, but that these angels could do nothing without the cooperation of humanity. He told them that if they would do God's service, they must be consecrated to Him. If they fought manfully in the battle of the Lord, they would receive immortality and a crown that would brighten through eternal ages. ST April 28, 1898, par. 9
In the warfare of good against evil, unseen, heavenly agencies are in the ranks of God's servants. “Be of good cheer,” Christ said, “I have overcome the world.” With all heaven engaged in the warfare against sin, how can we be listless? Why not accept the help of the Holy Spirit, and fight as in the presence of the heavenly universe, looking undauntedly into the face of every foe, and saying with heart and voice: “Be of good cheer. Christ has overcome the world. Because He lives, we shall live also”? At every step we should advance heavenward, the eye fixed upon the crown of life, the hands employed in saving those who are ready to perish. ST April 28, 1898, par. 10
“Ye are the light of the world.” The rays of light, shining from the living stones in the temple of God, disturb those who are resting in false security. The world would gladly forget eternity, but it can not wholly succeed in doing this while there are men and women who cheerfully and gladly wear Christ's yoke and bear His burden, singing as they carry them in His strength. Linked up with Christ, they are channels of light. Full of earnestness, love, and true Christlike sympathy, they reveal Christ to the world. Christ fills them with His Spirit; and they are indeed living stones, emitting the light of the Sun of Righteousness. ST April 28, 1898, par. 11
God has His chosen standard-bearers. They are precious in His sight, and as long as they hold aloft the banner on which is inscribed the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, the trumpet gives a certain sound, and the attention of worldlings is called to eternal realities. ST April 28, 1898, par. 12
These men and women are in harmony with Christ. Their lives are guided by His principles. They keep His commandments, not as if they were a galling yoke, but willingly, cheerfully. As they advance in harmony with the great standard of righteousness, they make melody to God in their hearts, singing as they walk in the way of happiness: ST April 28, 1898, par. 13
“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. ST April 28, 1898, par. 14
“Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart. ST April 28, 1898, par. 15
“They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways.... ST April 28, 1898, par. 16
“Give me understanding, and I shall keep Thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” ST April 28, 1898, par. 17
“My hands also will I lift up unto Thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in Thy statutes.... ST April 28, 1898, par. 18
“Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore doth my soul keep them. ST April 28, 1898, par. 19
“The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. ST April 28, 1898, par. 20
“I opened my mouth, and panted; for I longed for Thy commandments.” ST April 28, 1898, par. 21
“Make me to understand the way of Thy precepts; so shall I talk of Thy wondrous works.” ST April 28, 1898, par. 22
This is the light in which we may regard the law of the Lord. Instead of giving the impression that the yoke of Christ is grievous, we may demonstrate the truthfulness of the words, “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” ST April 28, 1898, par. 23
Satan has arranged matters to suit himself. He has declared the religious life to be a life of exaction, of galling sacrifice. Shall we not strive to counteract this by revealing Christ as He is,—a compassionate Redeemer, who is constantly saying, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest”? Show the world that you keep the commandments of God because it is for your happiness to do so, even in this life. The reward of obedience is indeed pledged, in this life and the next. “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” ST April 28, 1898, par. 24
Mrs. E. G. White