There are many whose hearts are aching under a load of care because they seek to reach the world's standard. They have chosen its service, accepted its perplexities, adopted its customs. Thus their character is marred, and their life made a weariness. In order to gratify ambition and worldly desires, they wound the conscience, and bring upon themselves an additional burden of remorse. The continual worry is wearing out the life forces. Our Lord desires them to lay aside this yoke of bondage. He invites them to accept His yoke; He says, “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” He bids them seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and His promise is that all things needful to them for this life shall be added. Worry is blind, and cannot discern the future; but Jesus sees the end from the beginning. In every difficulty He has His way prepared to bring relief. Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us, of which we know nothing. Those who accept the one princip…
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
EGW directly quotes and elaborates on the meaning of Matthew 11:28, offering an interpretation of Jesus' invitation to find rest in Him.
"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
The EGW passage directly quotes and expands upon Matthew 11:30, making the connection explicit.
"“Learn of Me,” says Jesus; “for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest.” We are to enter the school of Christ, to learn from Him meekness and lowliness. Redemption is that process by which the soul is trained for heaven. This training means a knowledge of Christ. It means emancipation from ideas, habits, and practices that have been gained in the school of the prince of darkness. The soul must be delivered from all that is opposed to loyalty to God. DA 330.2"
"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."
The EGW passage directly quotes and expands upon Matthew 11:29, making the connection explicit.
"In the heart of Christ, where reigned perfect harmony with God, there was perfect peace. He was never elated by applause, nor dejected by censure or disappointment. Amid the greatest opposition and the most cruel treatment, He was still of good courage. But many who profess to be His followers have an anxious, troubled heart, because they are afraid to trust themselves with God. They do not make a complete surrender to Him; for they shrink from the consequences that such a surrender may involve. Unless they do make this surrender, they cannot find peace. DA 330.3"
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Both passages discuss peace in the context of Christ and trusting in God, and the absence of peace when one is troubled or afraid. The connection is thematic and not a direct quote, but it is a clear parallel.
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Both passages discuss the peace of God and its effect on the heart and mind. The EGW passage speaks of an anxious, troubled heart in contrast to the peace of Christ, while Philippians 4:7 speaks of the peace of God keeping hearts and minds. The connection is thematic.
"strength. The value of our work is in proportion to the impartation of the Holy Spirit. Trust in God brings holier qualities of mind, so that in patience we may possess our souls. DA 330.4"
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Both passages connect the Holy Spirit with strength and empowerment. While not a direct quote, the EGW passage reflects the principle that the Holy Spirit imparts power and enables effective work, as stated in Acts 1:8.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
The EGW passage discusses the Holy Spirit's influence leading to positive character traits, which aligns with Galatians 5:22-23's description of the fruit of the Spirit. The connection is more than just thematic; it's about the practical outworking of spiritual influence.