Soul Rest

            Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

As it is the weekend of the 4^th, I want to quote to you from the Declaration of Independence.

“When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The opening of this document says that all people have rights.  Not just members of our country, but all people.  God made each of us, and in that creation we are given the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  It was written in a time when the laws of England seemed too heavy and too burdensome, restrictive of individual freedom; and preventing people from pursuing joy in life.  It was written in a time when the colonies were nothing more than subjects to a king, rather than partners in government.  And in many ways, I believe this historic document has something in common with our bible passage of today. 

You see, if you look at the passages around what we read from Matthew, you will notice that Jesus had been talking about the Sabbath.  He had been talking about the day of rest.  But what had happened is that the day of rest had been surrounded by so many laws, so many do’s and don’ts that it had become a burden.  People had added these laws to the observance of the Sabbath because they viewed God as their king, their dictator in heaven to whom they must be subject.  And so the Day of Rest had to be observed correctly or they would incur the wrath of God.  And Jesus was saying, these laws are like a yoke, the harness and tools for a team of oxen which is pulling a heavy load, and that is not what God intended.  What God intended to be restful had become a burden in their lives.

Now, before we get too judgmental of the traditions surrounding the Sabbath, we should ask ourselves; what yokes do we place on ourselves and others in the name of serving Christ?  Where do our expectations actually destroy the sense of joy the gospel message should impart in our lives?  I bet if you think hard enough, you can find places where religion becomes burdensome for yourself and others.  Places where we think of God as the King who must be appeased or else we will suffer.  Places where religion becomes wearying and destructive; instead of promoting a life of grace and peace in relationship with God.

[pause for thought]

Can you see that Jesus and the Declaration of Independence speak of what connects us, and what it means when the burden of connection to a dictator, or a set of unjust laws gets to be too heavy?  They suggest that at some point we must lay down those burdens and take up the yoke of freedom, of grace, and the enjoyment of God’s good creation.

The difference in the documents is that the Declaration of Independence speaks of finding new methods of government which grant freedom -- and it has led to the creation of only country in the world where people pay $200,000 for a house and then leave it for two weeks every summer to sleep in a tent.  Crazy us.  But Jesus speaks of rest for our spirit and soul not by leaving behind all responsibility, but by taking a new yoke.  His words speak as though there has been a spiritual Declaration of Independence freeing us from the burdens of the past, and allowing us to take a new direction in life.  We can leave behind the dictatorship of religious law, and find freedom and hope in a new future.  He wants us to lay aside the old yoke, and take up his -- for his is easy.

Now, do not be misled by the word 'easy,' for its root word in Greek speaks directly of the tailor-made yokes: they were 'well-fitting.' Nor should you assume that bearing a light burden means doing nothing.  There is a wonderful legend concerning the quiet years of Jesus, the years prior to his visible ministry. The legend claims that Jesus the carpenter was one of the master yoke-makers in the Nazareth area.

People came from miles around for a yoke, hand carved and crafted by Jesus son of Joseph. When customers arrived with their team of oxen Jesus would spend considerable time measuring the team, their height, the width, the space between them, and the size of their shoulders. Within a week, the team would be brought back and he would carefully place the newly made yoke over the shoulders, watching for rough places, smoothing out the edges and fitting them perfectly to this particular team of oxen.

That’s the yoke Jesus invites us to take. His yoke brings rest to weary souls because it is one that is made exactly to our lives and hearts. It fits us well, does not rub us nor cause us to develop sore spirits.  By taking it we can find rest for our souls, at the same time we continue to be about the work of God.  God intends for us to labor, but also to be refreshed and renewed.

But perhaps the most important part of this yoke that Jesus invites us to take is that it is designed for two.  And our yoke-partner is none other than Christ himself.  The law is replaced by relationship. What was once a task given us by a master, is now worked on together as a partnership.  Instead of the age old relationship between king and servant, our relationship with God is now as a parent and child -- built on love.  The blood of Jesus fulfills the law of Moses, so that grace replaces law, freedom replaces servitude, and a crucified man replaces the image of a distant uncaring king.

God and humanity are yoked in a new relationship, a new covenant.

Jesus’ point is that what God intended for the Sabbath is a rest of our souls, a refreshment from our weariness, and a chance to give thanks to God.  It is a time to deepen our relationship with God, so that we can continue to do the work of God without burning out, and wearing out.

And I hold this truth to be self-evident, only in taking up this yoke of relationship with Christ will we truly be able to find life, liberty, and true happiness. Not in vacations, nor in government.  So take his yoke upon you, and learn from him, and you will find rest for your souls.  For his yoke is easy and his burden is light.