Bible Study:
Isaiah 40, 25 to 31. Matthew 11, 28 to 30.
Today,
Jesus describes himself as a gentle person, one who has a heart as meek as a
lamb, a heart that is not arrogant, rude or proud. And he says we too must come
to him, stay with him and tap from him these characteristics because it is only
when our hearts become as soft and gentle as his, would we find peace within
us. In his own very words, Jesus is assuring us: “Come to me, all you that are
weary and are carrying heavy burdens, 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.” Matthew 11, 28 to 29.
Nothing brings
as much weariness as seeking after material things in life. We carry a lot of
burdens consciously and unconsciously; burdens arising from debts we have to
pay, burdens arising from our employers or employees as the case may be,
burdens arising from our financial obligations, settling children’s school
fees, providing the best for ourselves or for those dependent on us, burdens
imposed on us by the government of the land, tax collectors and so on. There are also burdens arising from our past
sins, burdens we carry as a result of the things we love to do secret, burdens
arising from the constant fear that our actions would someday be exposed.
Jesus is
saying to us today, “Come to me and I will give you peace, come to me and I will
give you rest and tranquillity.” The kind of rest Jesus is talking about is far
superior to that offered by even the best hotel in the world. Jesus is saying, “Get
off that busy life of yours, take a break, come seek me out, carry my yoke upon
you and learn from me.” What is this yoke that we need to take from Jesus? We
get a clue of the yoke of Jesus when he adds in Matthew 11 verse 30, that “my
yoke is easy and my burden is light.” The yoke refers to our faith and trust in
God.
This yoke
of Jesus is what the prophet Isaiah speaks of when he says to us in the first
reading: “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting
God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his
understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the
powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall
exhausted; but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they
shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they
shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40, 28 to 31.
It is not
easy to trust God and continue keeping his commandments despite what we see
happening around us daily. It is not easy to wait for the God when it looks as
if evil people are dominating the world. It is not easy to believe God still
cares or goodness still pays when we have to put up with a lot of injustice
from people around us. This is why Jesus refers to is as a burden. But
honestly, it is a burden that is lighter than that which the devil gives. The burden
we carry by walking in the light of God is light compared to the burden of
sinfulness which weighs us down and shuts us out of God’s favour.
Yes, being
a Christian in our world today may look like a burden. Deciding to dress
differently or do things differently may look like a burden. Choosing to do
what is right according to your conscience may make you very awkward but be
rest assured and continue trusting and hoping in God. As Isaiah says, you will renew
your strength, you shall mount up wings like eagles.
Let us
Pray: Give me the grace to deepen my trust in you and walk in the light of your
commands. May I never deviate from the path you have chosen for me. Amen.
Good morning.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you.
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