Easy Yokes & Light Burdens

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.” [Mt.11.28-30]

The Gospel reading for this week is commonly heard at the graveside, at the closure of the funeral service. Some words of comfort are offered, as we say our final goodbye. The image of rest and the poetry of the language are important at that moment, but I am not sure Jesus intended them to be heard only at those occasions.

This is also about discipleship; living our lives and faith in Christ in the midst of a community which frequently doesn’t understand either Christ, or our calling.
We played the pipe for you and you did not dance,
We sang a dirge and you did not mourn.

When John the Baptist was in prison and unsure if Jesus was the real deal, he had disciples question Jesus. “Tell John the blind can see, the lame walk … the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” Those with burdens have them lifted.

Jesus invites all those who are tired, who are overburdened, and offers them rest for their souls. Jesus offers a yoke, which doesn’t sound like a holiday. It’s about more than that. Jesus understands that our lives are not only about physical tiredness, they consist of grief, or fear, or injustice, or hardship. The rest offered by Jesus is restoration, satisfaction and hope.

We are invited to a discipleship which satisfies us, which restores us. The yoke we assume is carried alongside Jesus; this is not about putting our feet up, but about living and working alongside Jesus. We learn from Jesus, not just the good news, but the humility and gentleness so often absent in our communities, and even our churches.

We advocate for those who have no voices – for refugees, for the aged, for the abused; we grieve with those who feel there is no hope and speak of hope when the time is right; we speak of – and enact – forgiveness when it seems impossible; we challenge the empire when every instinct tells us to be silent; we preach hope when all hope seems lost.

Our souls find rest in Jesus. This is not to say we don’t need a break – on occasions we all do. This is about all of our journey, all of our life. This is not about being satisfied for a moment, but restored for ever. If you aren’t sure, if you are unconvinced, put Jesus to the test. It’s worth every risk.