“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, 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 comfortable, and My burden is light.” - Jesus, Matthew 11:28-29

Hey friends, 

Every Sunday we open our services with words of welcome based on this verse. It is a deeply touching moment to see the faces of people – many whom I know well and am well aware of what they are going through – take great comfort in these words of Jesus’ mercy and kindness. What is it about these words that feel like cold water to a thirsty soul or a warm blanket on a bitterly cold night? 

Notice, Jesus promises rest but He also offers us more. He speaks of a yoke and of learning from Him to find rest for our souls. In rabbinic theology, a yoke serves as a symbol of service or servitude. A person was either under the yoke of human kingdoms or the yoke of God’s kingdom. The yoke of God’s kingdom was the Torah (or Law) which means “instruction” or “teaching.” A rabbi’s yoke was his interpretation or teaching regarding the Law. So Jesus invitation to come to Him is also an invitation to follow His teaching.

Jesus’ asserts the difference between His yoke and others based on His character and His teaching. He tells us He is strong but kind, powerful but humble. He is neither violent nor vengeful; only graceful and encouraging. His yoke is well-fitting and the burden or portion is easy to bear. These words convey an idea of meaningful and purposeful work, progress and result. In a word, Jesus offers to teach us the way of life as it was designed to be lived in right relationship with God, others, and the world. 

But, you ask, what is this way and how can I learn it? The real question is what does it mean for us to know and follow Jesus? Matthew’s Gospel provides us with the Way of Jesus in chapters 5-7 – traditionally called the Sermon on the Mount. In that teaching, Jesus invites everyone to experience the grace of God’s kingdom and teaches us how to allow grace to transform us from the inside out. He reveals how to become the people God designed us to be: people of integrity and love who reflect the Father’s goodness and love to the world. This can only happen when we recognize and allow the love of the Father to pervade and invade every aspect of our lives – our emotions, desires, actions, energies and relationships. It is then that we become mature, fulfilled and complete human beings.

Beginning on September 15^th, we will slowly work our way through Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. We will be asking the question: what does it mean to know and follow Jesus? For some of us, it may be an invitation to come to Jesus in faith for the first time; for others, it may be a time of learning and growth we have been looking for; and for others, it may challenge us to go higher up and further into the love and goodness of God revealed in Jesus. 

We hope you will make every effort to be present with us in worship and take advantage of every resource and opportunity as we ask Jesus to help us know and follow Him. Additional recommended resources will be provided to help you go even deeper if you so desire. May we all grow to know Jesus more and follow Him more closely for His glory, our own good and the well-being of others. 

Your friend, 

Steve Wise