It sneaks up on me, sometimes - that feeling of heavy burdens. Responsibilities at home, at work, at church, slowly begin to feel onerous. It can be about providing help to my parents as they get older, being an advocate for my clients as a nurse, or holding a congregational office. Any or all of these places of service, can at times insidiously become about what I must do, what I must accomplish, and how I must make it right. It can become a lonely place where I feel unequal to the task and overwhelmed. When that heavy burden feeling is on me, this passage restores my understanding of God's kingdom and my place in that kingdom. Jesus speaks to those around him to contrast the yoke of the law and the yoke of the Gospel.

The rabbis of Jesus' time taught about the yoke of the law, the responsibilities of the people in covenant relationship with God (Gen.17:7-10, Ex. 24:3). The laws of the covenant served several good purposes. The people were always reminded of their special relationship with God. Clearly set apart by the Mosaic law, the people of Israel were a witness to others of God's power, protection, and love. The law also shows all who would be people of God where we fall short. We twist our gift of being in God's image into rebellion, our gift of free will into separation from God's will. Then we find ourselves in that alone place, unequal to the task, overwhelmed and in need of a Savior.

In contrast, Jesus invites his listeners to come to him, and find rest. Does that mean release from the law? No; earlier in Matthew (5:17-20), Jesus reminds us that he has come not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. In this way he restores our relationship with God. That is the "rest" we crave, no longer finding ourselves alone, separated, rebellious. Although we will still stumble, Jesus' righteousness is now our covering, our righteousness before God, a new covenant.

When my service feels burdensome, I need to hear Jesus' words, "Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart." I'm not in this alone. It is important to do my part, indeed my utmost, but God's will is accomplished both through me and beyond me. It's important to be gentle with myself, also-to realize that I am a limited human being. I seek by prayer and meditation to distinguish where I am called to stretch my abilities and where I am to let others in the body of Christ perform their functions. I also respond to and enjoy God's love and care for me in the gifts of recreation, rest, and the support of others. These are gifts which renew me, fill me, and enhance the quality of my serving. Be humble in heart; Jesus took the servant's role, not for obligation or accomplishment, but for love. When I am a channel of that love in my serving, my yoke, the yoke of the Gospel, is easy and light.

As Paul reminds us in Romans 6 (vv. 15-23), we work as slaves to sin or as slaves to righteousness. It's one yoke or the other. But when I take up the yoke of the Gospel in love, I am not alone, not overwhelmed. Rather, I find peace and gladness as a partner in God's kingdom, living and working to help realize my hope and prayer, "Your kingdom come."

About the Author: Janet Conrady is a deaconess and a registered nurse, who works for 147 friends with developmental disabilities, and is employed by the Fox Developmental Center in Dwight, Illinois.
 

Prayer: O Lord, when service seems a burden, let your love flow into us, fill us, overflow from us, that we may be glad servants in your kingdom. Open our hearts to you in prayer, meditation, and worship, that we may be filled with your love. Open our hearts to others, that we may be your hands, your feet, your voice, and your love made present to those whom we serve. May your kingdom come, Lord, in each of us, through all of us, and eternally. Amen.