Matthew 11:28-30 (AMP) 28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.”
For years I have read these verses and considered them as some kind of personal promise of rest or peace that God would give me when I am weary from studying, working, parenting. But that’s really not what Jesus was talking about here. He was talking to people who were sick and tired of complicated, oppressive, soulless religious practices centered on rule-keeping and hierarchical power. Sound familiar?
As I detangle myself from spaces that hold fast to hierarchy (and patriarchy) and rigid interpretations that marginalize the ones that I love, I am reminded that Jesus’ promise is not just rest from the stresses of daily life, but that pursuing him provides freedom from oppressive religious structures. Jesus was specifically defining himself, his ways, his salvation, outside of the confines of an earthly religious construct. He is truly a breath of fresh air.
Disclaimer: My viewpoints are not necessarily reflective of my employer, or any local, regional or national organization that I belong to. As a matter of fact, I pretty much just speak for myself. Please keep that in mind.
