And then a middle aged man from the back of the crowd yelled at Jesus, “You are a liar! It cannot be this easy! All my life I have kept the rules – ALL the rules and now you say some ridiculous thing like. “Love others and that fulfills All the law and the prophets!’ NO! I have worked too hard” To this outburst Jesus simply looked at the crowd as the man ran out in anger and said,
“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 easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30
It is Very important to note that the above statement was said to Jews first. Jews who kept the law like we breathe the air! Jews who had specially trained preachers who made it their lives work to be “teachers of the law!”
There are 4 simple reasons why the yoke of Jesus is so easy and His burden is so light:
1) Your past has been forgiven and forgotten – parted as far as the east is from the west!
2) You are no longer under the law once you have accepted Christ! The law IS the power of sin and sin no longer has any power over you because you are no longer under the law!
3) Everything that needs to be done has been done by Jesus! This is called Grace and if you think the gift of Christ just gives you super power to obey the law you are being unscriptural, un-GraceFull and you are NOT accepting the Full Gift of Christ on the cross.
4) With the knowledge of 1-3 what begins and continues to grow in you is Love like God has for you and me! That Love grows and overflows to all those around you.
So IF you have or are being told you should have a heavier burden or a less than easy yoke – guess where it’s coming from?
