Yoke

Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." (Matt. 11:28-30, NLT)

I always thought the "burdens" in this passage were talking about our personal sins, struggles, trials, and heartache. This of course is true, but there is somethings deeper here. Humanity is overburdened with religion. Religion can be an oppressive, heavy burden. Especially the legalistic kind. The kind with all the rules and regulations. The kind where you feel you are walking on eggshells around the priests or preachers. The kind where you never want to be seen as being imperfect. The kind that lends itself to people judging each other. The kind that never makes you feel good enough. The kind that puts actions over character. The kind that treasures sacrifice over mercy. The kind that values tradition over service. The kind that looks to gain members instead of disciples. The kind that looks for attendance over openness. The kind that likes graceful appearance more than divine grace. The kind that values lists over heart.

Religion can be burdensome to our souls. It can make a soul weary. It can frustrate it and make it uneasy. It can make it impatient and judgmental. It can depress it and make it uptight. It can make it critical and cynical. We can be so concerned with religion that our souls can suffocate under its heavy, burdensome load.

Jesus says, "Throw off that unnecessary yoke. It's killing you. I care about your soul. I care enough to give you what you need. Take what I have to offer. Take my yoke. It is light and easy on your soul. Following me should be free of the binding, restricting, soul-confining traditions of religion. Carry my load only. Follow me alone. Let me teach you. Follow only what I tell you. I will give your soul what it needs and you will feel the benefits of my yoke. The freedom, tranquility, peacefulness, love, openness, joy, and hope. Only in carrying my yoke will you truly find rest for your soul."

Jesus did not start a new religion. Jesus wanted his followers to escape the traps of legalistic tradition and follow him alone. I am not saying, "Give me Jesus and not the church." I am saying to the church, that we need to stop pretending that tradition is something that Jesus wants for his disciples. Legalistic traditions bind and confine. Jesus brings freedom and a light load. May God give us the wisdom to learn to carry Jesus' yoke alone.