His Yoke is Easy; His Burden is Light

-

"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."
-Jesus Christ, in Matthew 11:28-30.

In the earlier part of this chapter, Jesus critiques the abusive dishonesty so common among religious leaders of his--and our-- day. He ends his analysis by saying if you're tired of all of the fraud and emptiness, leave it all behind and come to him.

Let him guide you (his yoke) and let him give you a purpose (his burden). These are light and easy because they are based on eternal truth, given by him, for your eternal blessing and benefit. Compared to what the world order offers, his way is easier because he never pressures you and he never leaves you to do anything on your own. It is his joy to be with you, to teach you, and to keep you safe. He is the Good Shepherd.

His yoke is easy, and his burden is light.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Parental Alienation: When To Give Up The Legal Battle in Court

-
Making my way through a parental alienation forum recently, I came across a very intelligent and well thought out discussion of when a targeted parent should end their legal battles in response to the alienating tactics of the “other parent.” I have some experience with parental alienation and thought about what the author of the post said.  In a few words, her comments can be summed up this way: the “good guys” don’t always win. It’s unnatural and deeply wounding  for an ex, or someone else, to disrupt or destroy a once loving relationship between a parent and a child. If you have been the victim of this, your first thought may have been “it’s impossible, and what I think is happening isn’t really happening.” The recognition of reality leads to lengthy and sometimes expensive legal battles, emotional, mental, and spiritual exhaustion, and a cycle of recrimination and anger that can go on for years. In the meantime, your child is caught in the middle of somethin...
Read more

Declaring Yourself "Blessed and Highly Favored"? Slow Down A Bit...

-
Image
--spreadshirt.com I used to speak regularly with someone who often declared herself to be "blessed and highly favored." When I telephoned her and would ask "how are you doing"? or "how is it going with you"?, the instant answer was always "I am blessed and highly favored!" Her answer came too quickly, almost as if no thought went into the response. I understand what many people teach about speaking only those words that reflect the reality you wish to experience. I think I have a least a little bit of understanding regarding why this type of thinking is so popular. I am not sure it's a good idea, or even biblical, but it is popular. I suppose we all like to think we are blessed of the Lord, but what does it mean to be highly favored? I reflect upon two persons from Scripture (Mary, Jesus' mother and the Apostle Paul)  I would consider to be "blessed and highly favored" of the Lord, but their lives were challenging,...
Read more

Higher Ground; Heaven's Tableland

-
Image
(image from wikiwand.com) A hymn I grew up with--one  I seldom hear anymore--was titled "Higher Ground." In the chorus of the hymn, we sang these words: "Lord, lift me up and let me stand, by faith, on heaven's tableland, A higher plane than I have found, Lord plant my feet on higher ground." What is a tableland? A tableland is a plateau, a mesa, or an elevated flat ground. Often sheep would graze on tableland. What is heaven's tableland?  Many commentators have said it is the afterlife, when we all live in the heavenly kingdom of God's goodness. Not so fast. Heaven's tableland is not for the future; it is for now. It is for us to live on now. We won't need faith in heaven. It is only in this world that we need faith. Note carefully what the hymn writer wrote: "Lord, lift me up and let me stand, by faith , on heaven's tableland." In this world, we need faith. We need heaven's tab...
Read more