Matthew 11:25-30: The Easy Burden

Sorry for the delay this week. Been super-swamped with stuff, including housesitting for my good friends, prepping Visionary Comics' Studio Online Store, and the launch of the new Anthology Magazine Chronicles, featuring my prose fiction, set to debut from Strider Nolan Publishing! More details can be found on my Blog!

To catch up, I'm posting the last two today. All four are already up on my Blog as well.

 Lectionary Cycle Year A: Eighth Sunday After Pentecost:
Matthew 11:25-30 (Read it on Bible Gateway)
The Easy Burden
After a number of challenging Gospel passages where Jesus first describes the need for those in his service to ultimately trust in the Lord (Devotions: Matthew 9:35-10:20), then to be forewarned the risks they face (Devotions: Matthew 10:5a, 21-33), and finally admits his message will bring division and violence (Devotions: Matthew 10:34-42), he then seems to totally shift gears. In this passage, he speaks words of thanksgiving and a closing assurance that has become one of the most recognized passages in Scripture, "come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (verses 28 & 30).

So, how can we rectify these seemingly very different perspectives?

First and foremost, we need to look at the situational context. The previous readings were all taken from a discourse teaching from Christ to the twelve disciples prior to them being sent out into the world to preach the Gospel. They were essentially the Graduate level work, to put it in terms of education. This was the message aimed at those closest to Christ, who were themselves taking on the ministry of the Gospel, and with that facing the challenges that would ensue. This passage is a selection from Jesus teachings abroad, to one of the many audiences that gathered in the Temple, village squares, along river-banks etc. to hear Jesus teach and preach. Many of those individuals may be hearing him for the first time. So, Jesus here is not misleading, but he is speaking instead to those who must first accept him as Lord and Savior, must take that first step into the faith. Thus this message is focused to the purpose and that is introducing Christ himself.

Second, and touched on in the prior Devotion, we need to look at the content context. Jesus is not contradicting himself, nor is he manipulating or attempting to mislead those listening. Instead, he simply has two different focal points in these messages. The previous group of teachings were aimed at those who had already accepted Christ and committed to the ministry of the Gospel. They were warning of the inevitable backlash people of faith would face in the culture, society and world of the time. In all fairness, Christ wanted to make sure the Disciples understood what they were getting themselves in for if they chose that next step of going from believer to proclaimer.

This should be seen in contrast to the 'burden' or 'yoke' God places upon us of God's own accord.

If we look at what God expects of us, especially in light of what blessings God has given us, it's a pretty amazing deal. Considering what we receive from God, what is asked of us from God seems pretty small in comparison. We are given life itself, the entire creation to provide for us, the blessing of God's presence in our life, God's love, grace and support, all in exchange for our obedience and love.

However, the more vocal, outward, or impacting our expression of our own love and passion for God is, the more challenges we may face from other people and the world we live in. This is certainly not God's fault, instead it's the result of the freewill choices of other human beings who govern their own actions and thus they hold responsibility for those actions.

To use an example from classical literature, Romeo and Juliet were in love with each other. The expectations between the two were nothing compared to the joy each derived from being around the other. So, in other words, their relationship was a wonderful thing that neither saw as a burden or trial because of the actions of the other. The interference, pressures and dangers then pressed upon them by their extended families and the social order of the day was another matter entirely.

It is the same with us and God, truly, God's Burden is easy, and in God we truly can find rest and peace. However, once we accept that and then go out into the world, we may find the burden the world would place on us to be far from light. Fortunately, despite this, we will still have God with us to see us through, and God will provide us that rest for the weary, that shelter from the storm, and that love that lifts us up no matter who or what other forces seek to tear us down.

For the complete listing of our Devotions, see our Devotions Archive