Jesus offers to make our spiritual journey easy and light. Sounds pretty unrealistic, huh? To be honest, I’m usually skeptical whenever someone tells me that the Christian life is easy. I usually write that off as novice arrogance. How could the Christian life be light and easy? That sounds more like an oldies radio station than the spiritual journey I know. But that is, in fact, what Jesus said:
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me… For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matt 11:29-30
A yoke was a farming implement used to work the ground. Jesus uses it as a symbol for the demands and burdens of the true spiritual journey. It helps me to picture a modern backpack. Still how can He say it is easy or light? It turns out that the word “easy” does not imply that life will be smooth and trouble-free. The word “easy” is best translated well-fitted, or well-suited. That’s why The Message paraphrases this verse as “I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.” And the phrase “light burden” isn't meant to imply the believers somehow float through life lighter than air. The light burden is contrasted with the unrealistic burdens of religious leaders who loaded down their followers without any regard for their purpose or the journey they were meant to take.
Here are a few takeaways for me.
· Jesus’ yoke is easy and light because it is perfectly fitted for us. Unlike an ill-fitted backpack, it doesn’t chaff or rub. It is uniquely designed for our frame.
· Jesus’ yoke is easy and light because it is just what we need for our journey. He equips us with all we need.
· Jesus’ yoke is easy and light because it is transforming. As we wear it, we discover it not only fits it, but over time we are shaped by it as well. As we wear it, we become more like the One who gave it to us. We become more like Christ.
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me… For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matt 11:29-30
A yoke was a farming implement used to work the ground. Jesus uses it as a symbol for the demands and burdens of the true spiritual journey. It helps me to picture a modern backpack. Still how can He say it is easy or light? It turns out that the word “easy” does not imply that life will be smooth and trouble-free. The word “easy” is best translated well-fitted, or well-suited. That’s why The Message paraphrases this verse as “I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.” And the phrase “light burden” isn't meant to imply the believers somehow float through life lighter than air. The light burden is contrasted with the unrealistic burdens of religious leaders who loaded down their followers without any regard for their purpose or the journey they were meant to take.
Here are a few takeaways for me.
· Jesus’ yoke is easy and light because it is perfectly fitted for us. Unlike an ill-fitted backpack, it doesn’t chaff or rub. It is uniquely designed for our frame.
· Jesus’ yoke is easy and light because it is just what we need for our journey. He equips us with all we need.
· Jesus’ yoke is easy and light because it is transforming. As we wear it, we discover it not only fits it, but over time we are shaped by it as well. As we wear it, we become more like the One who gave it to us. We become more like Christ.
1 comment:
thanks for the encouragement. I find nothing in this life to be easy. maybe im just jaded. Its nice to know that nothing is wrong with me, and that easy isnt the goal, but fitting.
I am excited and impressed doug that you have moved with technology. from blogs, to twitter, to face book, podcasts... It is really refreshing. You have taken a good methodology to it all too, instead of some folks/buisnesses/churches that merely use the technology to scream "COME TO MY CHURCH"...you have taken it on as a relational tool, and I have been very impressed.
Progress is tough, and i find a lot of churches and buisnesses and people are "behind" and are reactionary. Its nice to see you on the forefront of proactive.
thank you again, as always, for your beautiful insight/perspective.
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