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The continuation of lesson 34 of the Discipleship Making process, where in part one of this lesson we were left answering the question, “What burdens are you carrying by yourself?”
In summary of the last lesson, we found Jesus introducing the subject, to His disciples, of “Living Life More Abundantly”, “Rest”, and “Sharing The Load”, where we learned that we are not to rejoice in the authority and power that has been given to us, but rather in the fact that our names are written in heaven/the Book of Life. In addition, He wanted His disciples to know that He came that we may have life, and have it more abundantly, that we would rest in that life, and share with Him in life’s overall burdens. It is here that we pick-up where we left off last, taking a closer look at what Jesus had to say about His offer of rest, a shared load and a lighter load.
Read: Matthew 11:25-30
Most people who are weary from carrying a heavy burden look for an opportunity to rest. They want to set their load down, sit or lie down for a while and be refreshed (Matthew 11:28-30, Acts 3:19, Isaiah 28:11-12).
Jesus doesn’t just offer people rest, He offers to help carry their burdens the rest of the way. In saying, “take my yoke upon you”, Jesus gives His hearers a commonplace illustration of a pair of animals working together to accomplish a task. And He is speaking as if He were one of the animals. When a young animal is first put under yoke, he is paired with an older animal, which is use to the work. The older animal is in fact teaching the younger animal to work efficiently and in tandem with others. By stating that He was gentle and humble in heart, Jesus is reflecting on His very nature and telling others how He will treat those who are paired with Him (John 6:45/Isaiah 54:13).
Jesus not only offers people rest and sharing their load, but He promises that they will also have a lighter load: “‘For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.’” In hearing Jesus’ statement we should be reminded that animals are yoked together in order to pull something. In Jesus’ illustration it is a wagon. Why, because wagons are designed to carry loads!
Try to visualize this. You are carrying a huge load of wood on your back. How far can you go without needing rest and refreshment? Then imagine that someone comes along and offers to help you carry your wood the rest of the way. Are you feeling better? Now he says to you, “let’s just put it in my little wagon and we’ll pull it together.” How does that make you feel? Oh and by the way, the guy who is helping you pull the wagon is God. Does this give you cause for rejoicing?
This is the very concept that Isaiah the prophet was conveying to the people: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary,” Isaiah 40:28-31.
The point of the lesson is our Father in heaven has given us many things that we can rejoice about and live life more abundantly knowing.
With that, allow me to leave you with this question to consider, along with a little homework assignment until my next posting:
What is the difference between hope and faith?
. . . and the homework assignment . . .
When the burden becomes too great, look to the Lord and the children of God to help you.
Until next time . . . Godspeed!
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