Jesus Promises Rest for the Soul

Matthew 11: 28-30                                                                        Pentecost 8 Year A

“It isn’t the load that weights us down— it’s the way we carry it!

In our gospel today Jesus invites the downtrodden to accept his “rest” as he to them: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”  We hear these same words echoed in our BCP when it says: “Hear what comfortable words our Savior Christ saith unto all that truly turn unto Him.”  They are described as comfortable words, or as a priest in NS said once: “the comfy words”         And that’s exactly what they’re meant to do, bring comfort to those who are feeling the heavy weight that so often burdens us. We’ve all felt that way, haven’t we?  But there’s more... Jesus goes on to say: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

          So there’s good news.  “It isn’t the load that weighs us down— it’s the way we carry it!

        Yoke: A yoke is a heavy wooden harness that fits over the shoulders of an ox or oxen.  It is attached to a piece of equipment the oxen are to pull. 

        History lesson: How well do you know the history of Christ Church (your church)?  Can you tell me what happened in the year 1828?  Christ Church was moved across the road to this site by 13 yoke of oxen.  (Working together and moving the church)

                                                       

              

        It’s amazing what can happen when we work together, side by side, and when we do, the church (the people) will move.  So tell me... what kind of burdens do we carry around with us? A person may be carrying heavy burdens such as: 1) Sin   2) weariness in the search for God 3) oppression & persecution    4) excessive demands upon us (stress) weighs us down....

        “It isn’t the load that weighs us down— it’s the way we carry it”! 

Jesus frees us from all these burdens. The rest that Jesus promises is:  1. Love 2. Healing  and 3. Peace with God. Now this does not mean the end of all labor, but there will be times of refreshing.   A relationship with God changes meaningless wearisome toil into spiritual productivity and purpose.

        Illustration: Gym- you have weight lifters and sometimes you see them working in pairs.  One of them would lie down on the bench to lift the weights while the other would stand near the lifter’s head. The person standing near the lifter’s head is called the spotter.  At other times the spotter calls out words of encouragement to the lifter.  “Come on, you can do it! You can do it! Push! Push! He calls out.  Those words of encouragement are just what the lifter needs to give him strength to lift the weights.

  As more and more weights are added, the bar becomes very heavy and the lifter becomes very tired.  When the weight gets to be more than the lifter can handle, the spotter reaches in and helps the lifter lift the weights.        Now when you think about these weight lifters, it occurs to us that it is a good picture of the way our Heavenly Father helps us to bear the burdens we face in our daily lives.

        There are some days that things seem to be pretty easy.  Oh, we may struggle a little bit as we face a few obstacles along the way, but just knowing that God is with us gives us the confidence we need to overcome those obstacles. There are some days that are more difficult and we may need more encouragement. We find that encouragement in God’s Word.  “Don’t be afraid, I am with you.” (Gen 26:24) “I’ll give you strength.” (Psalm 28:7) “I’m with you in times of trouble.” (Psalm 34:6) These words of encouragement are just what we need to face the hard times that may come our way.

         Do you ever have a day when the weight is more than you can handle?  Of course you do.  We all have days like that, don’t we?  It is good to know that when things are more than we can bear, God is there!  On those really hard days, Jesus steps in and lifts our burden.  With him, our burdens are lighter.  If you are bending under a burden and feel that you are about to fall, turn to God for help. He is ready to lift you up and bear your burden.

         I’m going to ask you to do something today.  I’m going to pass around some paper and I want you to write down your burdens, things that are weighing you down.  Nobody will see what you have written; only God knows.          Fold the paper and hold it in tightly in your hand. Then I’m going to pray over those burdens and then I want you to open your hands and let go of the burdens and offer them back to God.

 Prayer: Father, sometimes life is hard.  We are thankful that you are always there to help us, to give us strength, and to lighten our load.  Thank you God, that you carry our burdens for us if we will give them to You.  We offer those burdens to you now and we pray that you will give us the courage today and everyday to lay them at your feet— and help us not to pick them up again tomorrow.  This we ask in and through the name of Jesus our Lord, the great burden bearer.  Amen+