By Rev. Canon David B. Tabo-oy
Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. v29Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. v30For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
The present pandemic forced us to live in a new norm if we are to survive. To avoid further spread of the virus or get infected we have to follow the prescribed health protocol: wear mask, wash hands and apply alcohol or disinfectant, observe social distancing and more. This is the new norm dictated by COVID-19 and it is burdensome. As the pandemic continues to ravage this planet, people are burdened in a degree similar or even worse than World War II or any other pestilence except perhaps the Bubonic Plague in the mid-1300. The virus is lurking anywhere unseen waiting for a vulnerable host unlike in times of war the enemy is clearly known and identified. This truth makes us feel anxious, impatient, frustrated and critical. We feel sick and tired staying inside refraining from doing our normal activities and from seeing the people we love and the activities that animate us. Burdened could be an understatement as a state of mind in this environment. The more caged up we feel, the angrier we get. And our often calm and kind demeanor is turning testier and critical.
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After my retirement from office work a couple of months ago I have to adjust to a new norm. But the new norm was tripled courtesy of the COVID-19 quarantine restrictions AND my being a caregiver to my 85 years old mother now suffering from moderate dementia. For those familiar with this incurable mind condition afflicting the elderly it takes a load of patience to take care of the patient even if she is your mother. Care giving to my mother is wearisome and a heavy yoke to bear as compared to my normal former duties in the office and in the house combined. During her moments of tantrum, I kept telling myself that this irrational and mean human being is my mother – the reason of my being in this life. And I console myself by considering this responsibility as a ‘sweet burden’ if there is such a thing.
As humans, when our surroundings and our world is rocked, when we feel we have lost control of our decisions and our lives, we react in different ways. Some become depressed and feel helpless. Others become angry and critical. Into this kind of world and human conditions came Jesus.
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Jesus’ gracious invitation comes to all “who are weary and burdened” with the troubles of life and the sins of their own human nature. By coming to Jesus, becoming his disciple and obeying his direction, he will free you from your insurmountable burdens and give you rest, peace and his Holy Spirit to lead you through life. What trials and cares you carry will be borne with his help and grace. v16Let us have confidence, then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it (Hebrew 4:16).
There is a story told by Billy D Strayhorn in his book, Freedom through the Yoke, an old story about a little boy who was out helping dad with the yard work. Dad asked him to pick up the rocks in a certain area of the yard. Dad looked over and saw him struggling to pull up a huge rock buried in the dirt. The little boy struggled and struggled while Dad watched. Finally, the boy gave up and said, “I can’t do it.” Dad asked, “Did you use all of your strength?” The little boy looked hurt and said, “Yes, sir. I used every ounce of strength I have.” The father smiled and said, “No you didn’t. You didn’t ask me to help.” The father walked over and then the two of them pulled that big rock out of the dirt.
One of the great Biblical truths seems impossible. Liberty comes through being yoked with Christ.
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The yoke that Jesus refers to in this frequently quoted Bible verse is a wooden harness or beam normally used between a pair of oxen or other animals of burden to enable them to pull together on a load when working in pairs. Seen on this image, Jesus invitation to all burdened individuals to come to Him for rest does not mean for you to dump your burden to Jesus like a bag of garbage then walk away but remained unchanged inside. Christ invitation is to join Him in the yoke so you can walk and work together. Jesus does not want just our burden. He wants us to follow him.
The yoke of Christ is a symbol of discipleship, characterized by submission and obedience to Him. God’s goal isn’t simply to give relief by removing a weighty trial or affliction; He longs to draw us to Himself in a close and trusting relationship. Those who take Him up on His offer will be transformed and won’t ever return to their old ways. Relative to this verse Charles Stanley of Touch Magazine writes,
‘The process of lightening the load begins with learning to know and understand the Lord. The burden is not necessarily removed, but our thoughts and responses are changed as we begin to love Him, trust Him, believe His promises, and rely on His power. Then, as the weight of the affliction shifts from our shoulders to His, we will discover relief, although the situation may remain unchanged.
Being yoked with Christ results in rest for your soul. Life’s pressures may not lessen, but if you are intimately linked with Jesus, your soul is free from churning anxiety, and His peace is ruling in your heart. Jump into His yoke. You have nothing to lose—except your weariness—and much to gain.’
This points out many good reasons why it’s important for us to “take Jesus’ yoke.” One other reason I think He commands us to do this is so that we won’t experience the adverse health effects that come from the chronic stress of bearing life’s burdens on our own. Jesus wants to help us. He wants us to rest in Him. As we continue to struggle with the present health crisis, this invitation of Jesus is very relevant, assuring and comforting. We are invited to partner with Jesus in all life’s situation – better or worse, in sickness or health.‘
Let us pray.
O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you and with our heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (ECP-BCP Proper 9 Collect)**
