Call to Worship: Matthew 11:28-30

The invitation from Jesus in Matthew 11:28 is one of the best-known and loved in the New Testament.  Here are a number of contemporary translations and paraphrases of that passage which might work well as a call to worship.


Call to Worship
(Matthew 11:28-30, Contemporary English Version)

If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens,
come to me and I will give you rest.
Take the yoke I give you.
Put it on your shoulders and learn from me.
I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest.
This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.


Call to Worship
(Matthew 11:28-30, Common English Bible)

Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads,
and I will give you rest.
Put on my yoke, and learn from me.
I’m gentle and humble.
And you will find rest for yourselves.
My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.”


Call to Worship
(Matthew 11:28-30, The Message)

Hear this invitation from Jesus:

“Are you tired?
Worn out?
Burned out on religion?

Come to me.
Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.
I’ll show you how to take a real rest.

Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with me
and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”


Call to Worship
(Matthew 11:28-30, The Voice)

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.

Put My yoke upon your shoulders—
it might appear heavy at first,
but it is perfected fitted to your curves.

Learn from Me,
for I am gentle and humble of heart.
When you are yoked to Me,
your weary souls will find rest.
For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.