After eight weeks of looking at the themes of work and Sabbath, we
come to the good news (Good News?) that we are not alone in this
venture. Jesus offers to be linked up with us (“Take my yoke upon
you”—Matthew 11:29). And now because Jesus is carrying the load of
the yoke, “the burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Thank God for such a
gift!
Last week, I stopped for lunch at one of my favorite restaurants. I
go there a lot, but I was surprised that the staff must have seen me
drive up, because when I walked into the eatery, they immediately
escorted me to a booth where they had waiting for me my standard drink
order, a pitcher of unsweetened tea. Thank God for such a gift!
This came to mind, because the truth is that when we come to Jesus, He
already knows our needs, our strengths, our journey. And He is
already prepared to meet us there! I don’t have to pretend when I go
to our Lord in prayer. We might say “He saw us drive up,” so He is
ready with the grace, the support, and the comfort we need. Thank
God for such a gift!
Yes, we are still called to times of Sabbath. Yes, we are still
called to places of service. Yes, we are still called to meaningful
work. But, in these verses Jesus is telling us that we do not
undertake all this alone. Jesus says He is the one to reveal God (v.
27) and He reveals a God who joins us in the adventure of creation, in
the struggle of relationships, and in the possibility of victory.
Thank God for such a gift!
Do you worry sometimes that you are not sharp enough, intelligent
enough, to understand the meanings of Scripture or the subtle
theological points that our teachers may make? Fear not! Jesus tells
the disciples that God’s way makes more sense to an infant than it
does to the most learned among us (Matthew 11:25). We can come in our
ignorance. We can come with our misunderstandings. We can come with
our spiritual baby steps. Thank God for such a gift!
The word that is translated as “yoke” (Matthew 11:29-30) can be used for any instrument for connecting. In inviting us to put His yoke on us, He is inviting us to be connected to Him. He is carrying us, not the other way around. Thank God for such a gift!
What Someone Else Has Said:
The anonymous hymn 341 in The United
Methodist Hymnal (United Methodist Publishing House) includes this
stanza: “Thou didst reach forth thy hand and mime enfold; I walked and
sank not on the storm-vexed sea. ‘Twas not so much that I on thee took
hold, as thou, dear Lord, on me.”
Prayer: As you prepare this lesson, let your prayer begin: “Thank You for such a gift...”
