Come as You are – WEARY!
We can get weary from: too much activity; not enough sleep; sickness or injury; or trying to impress others. Being bullied or dealing with conflict can weigh us down with anxiety and dread that crushes the joy out of life.
In Jesus’ day, many were tired of trying to please God through their performance. In addition to the 10 commandments, there were hundreds of other rules that people were expected to keep.
No matter hard we try to please God through our performance, we will always fall short. Why? Because we ALL mess up! And then feelings of failure, guilt, and shame can weigh heavy on our hearts.
Jesus wants to help us: “Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 GN)
Because Jesus died for us, and rose to life again, God loves and forgives us. Since Jesus has made us right with God, we don’t have to impress God. Since we are already God’s precious children, we don’t have to keep proving ourselves to others. Instead, can do life with Jesus.
Jesus says: “Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30 GN)
A yoke is a wooden beam that joins two oxen together to pull a load. It’s much easier with two than one. Being yoked to Jesus is how we find rest!
A tandem bicycle is a good image of doing life with Jesus. He is on the front seat, and you are sitting behind him. Jesus knows the way to go. He wants you to enjoy the journey. He invites you to peddle with him.
But when you are tired, he lets you rest. He will keep peddling and carrying you along the way. You can put all your burdens into his hands, and he will help you in your work, play, relationships …everything.
When we come to the end of the road in this life, Jesus will bring us into eternal life with God and his people. Instead of carrying loads, we will live together in God’s perfect peace.
Joy in Jesus,
Pr. Rolly Stahl
