Holly and I have begun reading together through the Bible again, alternating a book from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. I’m in Matthew, and came across a very familiar passage, but decided to linger there to absorb a bit deeper what Jesus was saying. It is found in Matt.11:28-30 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
As I considered this passage, it is interesting that it comes right after Jesus pronouncing a harsh judgment on unrepentant cities. He’s stewed up at their hardness of heart against the Gospel. Then he prays to the Father, and then I imagine he looks out at all those gathered around him. Over and over we read in the Gospels that Christ had compassion on those who followed him, on those who were hurting and struggling, on those “who are weary and burdened.” All over the world, since Adam and Eve plunged into sin, people are weary and burdened, physically, emotionally and spiritually. As a friend reminded me in an email today, the creation mandate is for us to work. That is not the problem. The problem is that in our work, and in our lives, we are not walking with the One who eases our yoke and lightens our burdens.
Life can be hard, and depressing, and burdensome – no doubt! But what do we do about it? The American dream says to pull yourself up and push on. Jesus says, “Let me help you. Don’t do it by yourself. Become joined to me (take my yoke upon you) and learn from me.” Here is where we find the rest our souls seek, for he is gentle, he is humble, he is powerful to be able to carry our load, and he is loving to want to carry it.
Friends, picture Jesus looking upon you with eyes filled with compassion and empathy, his hand outstretched beckoning you to himself. Be warned, however, that if we reject his help, there are consequences you can read about that parallel Korazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum (Matt.11:20-24). Receive his offer. Partner with him. His yoke is easy, and his burden is light. Why would we go elsewhere? Why stubbornly refuse his help thinking we can fix our own problems? Father, please forgive us for relying upon ourselves instead of you, for looking elsewhere to lighten our burdens. May we turn to your Son and be yoked with him, and in him find the rest our souls desperately seek.
Pressing on in the journey, Eric