My Favorite Verses - Vol V (Feb 17 to Jun 17)
An illustrated collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and some of its least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
An illustrated collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and some of its least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
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Matthew 11:28-30 … The lightest of burdens<br />
(05/11/20<strong>17</strong>)<br />
“Come <strong>to</strong> me, all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give<br />
you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in<br />
Heart, and you will find rest for your Souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is<br />
light.” ~ Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30)<br />
Note first of all that Jesus does not say that his presence is easy or light – that<br />
he does not imply that others will be saved by coming <strong>to</strong> him or by him directly.<br />
No, quite clearly – if one reads closely enough (and if one reads the rest of his<br />
Gospel teachings; and better still if one puts those teachings radically in<strong>to</strong> everyday<br />
practice) – one will see that it by coming <strong>to</strong> him and lifting his yoke; by coming<br />
<strong>to</strong> him <strong>to</strong> emulate his teachings; by coming <strong>to</strong> him <strong>to</strong> do as he in-Courages us all<br />
<strong>to</strong> do, that Salvation becomes “at hand” (see Matthew 10:7 + Matthew 24:12-14 et<br />
al) … Secondly, note as well that Jesus is not actually promising typical<br />
understandings of ease or rest – but rather the deep-seated Inner Peace that comes<br />
from Joy-full self-sacrifice (see Matthew 16:28, Matthew 5:48 + Matthew 19:21, et<br />
al). Indeed, his Way requires an embodiment of almost infantile humility<br />
(Matthew 18:3-4), a humility which requires detaching from -- and indeed<br />
wholeheartedly sacrificing -- everything comfortable and pleasurable in order <strong>to</strong><br />
attain true Rest (not rest for the body, but rather Peace for the Soul) and true Ease<br />
(not ease for one‟s actions or lifestyle, but rather Calm & Joy while performing them)<br />
… Thirdly, note as well that Jesus makes it openly clear that he is “humble in<br />
heart” – meaning that he cannot be referring only <strong>to</strong> himself whenever he speaks<br />
of the “Son of Man” (see Matthew 16:24) or the “Son of God” (see John 14:12), but<br />
rather that he is speaking of those qualities of consciousness & free will &<br />
Divinity that reside fully in all of us – qualities that can be re-enlivened by<br />
following his Way (see John 13:15-<strong>17</strong> & Matthew 7:21-14 et al).<br />
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