“Come to me, all you who 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
The way of Jesus is easy. We’re the ones who make it hard. The way of Jesus is restful. We’re the ones who add heavy burdens of unrealistic expectations. The way of Jesus is gentle. We’re the ones who add harsh demands and weights nobody could ever bear.
If this passage doesn’t seem to match the message you’ve picked up on in your life, then you, or someone else, has probably expected way more of you than what Jesus expects. It’s also probably the case that you take yourself way too seriously. Live lightly. Pick grain on the Sabbath just because you can. Throw off the yoke of legalism, which is not good news.
Here’s my sermon manuscript on this passage. Download it and share it with a friend.
The rules don’t really get difficult and complicated till we try exonerate ourselves by keeping them. (Rom 3:20)
I absolutely agree you you bro. His way for us is so easy and we made it hard and harder. One of the reasons is
1) We have misinterpreted His words, actions and motives as well as His mission.
2) We’ve also turn is mission (to restore us to the kingdom of God) to a religion we call Christian. Look bro, Christ Himself was against the religious leader in His era and the religious leaders were also against His message. Bro, please I know you are doing a good job and I highly recommend you keep it up but please Christianity is a human and a religious activity. Christ said I am a King and my kingdom is not of this world but He came to restore man (all human) to what we lost in Eden.
3) It is going to be more difficult and difficult as long as we see ourselves us christians. Until we come to the knowledge of knowing and understanding His kingdom, which is not the church us we ( members of churches of christ) say. Daniel, the word Christian and it concept can not be seen in any part of the scriptures.
I wish l could have the chance to communicate with you in the future. Thanks for the opportunity you gave me to write to you. Keep being a blessed preacher.