Lent Day Twenty Five
“Coming to the radically superior Rabbi ”
Matthew 11:28–30 The Passion Translation
28 ‘So everyone, come to me! Are you carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life for I am your oasis.
29 Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I am gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me.
30 For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.’
In my own journey, accepting Jesus’ invitation to come and lay down my burdens has been a great source of renewal and strength. Yet, as with many other scriptural truths, there is a depth to these words I have missed as a modern-day, non-Jewish person.
Contextually in the verses prior, it is helpful to know that Jesus was warning people trapped within a dominating religious system. Judgement was coming because after witnessing his miracles, there was no repentance. Culturally, it is beneficial to understand that in their fearful need for control, the rabbis and religious leaders had added hundreds of rules to the Word of God – requirements that had to be strictly adhered to – or else! Even the promised refreshment of the Sabbath had become so heavy-laden with legalities, it would have been almost impossible for God’s people to receive rest in his presence.
This was not how God intended his children to live – shackled by religious obligations that actually kept people away from enjoying intimate relationship with him. So, Jesus turned it all around with a radical revelation – a shout of truth that unearthed a wealth of eternal riches for those with ears to hear, both now, and then.
What was obvious to those first listeners is easy for us to miss today. No, these were not just ‘nice words’ offered to a confused audience. Many would have been shocked and amazed as Jesus expertly referenced Old Testament Scripture in regard to himself. You see, by declaring he could do all these things, Jesus was announcing his deity, and his calling as God’s Messiah. Only Yahweh can give true rest as our spiritual oasis (Exodus 33:14). Only Moses, prophet and deliverer, could be called humble (Numbers 12:3). Only the LORD can show us the way of life and refresh our souls (Jeremiah 6:16).
Although many reject his offer, Jesus still calls out to those who feel scorched by religion:
‘I am he – the One you have been waiting for! I am offering you a superior way of living – a way of being that is light and free. It won’t be easy, and the path is narrow. But together with me, life will be pleasant and much easier to bear. Unite your life with mine, and I will gently teach you how to live well. Yes, I am your God, and your deliverer. I am the way!’
Throughout this Lenten season, may we come and meet with our radically superior Rabbi. May we experience relief upon our burdened souls as the religious expectations we tend to pridefully hold onto through our own fears and insecurities are lifted away – for good!
Lynda Wake
LYNDA WAKE serves with Wycliffe Australia and is a regular blogger and devotional writer for Wycliffe Today. Lynda has spoken and ministered around the world in her role with Wycliffe, and as an ambassador for CBM (Christian Blind Mission) on behalf of her daughter Bethany’s legacy.