This picture is of those that are weary with heavy burdens. These people have been devalued, displaced, with nowhere to go. They have only what is on their backs and what they are carrying which isn’t much. Worst yet, they can’t see the future being good for them. Everything we can see from this picture and what we know tells the tale of extreme outside pressure that weighs these people down. Through no fault of their own, they are caught and they can’t get out of it. I think this is the extreme of being weary and with heavy burdens.
These people cannot change their fate. What happens to them depends on the saving grace of other people. They need someone to step in and help them. Someone that will give them rest and a new start.
Jesus says, “Come to me all you who are weary and with heavy burdens and I will give you rest for my yoke is easy and my burden light.”
From the extreme situations of these pictures, we can see the people’s burdens thrust upon them and we can understand the need for grace from others. That is the point for us this morning. But this pattern is not just for such extreme situations. We are all captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We can fool ourselves that we are pretty good, but we have an inherent selfishness. Some people think because of their success or accomplishments that they are above and beyond sin. Today we hear St. Paul talk about this and Jesus offer a promise of grace for us. This promise lightens our load. It gives us hope. Let’s see.
Pastor Gerry
The Gospel Reading: : MATTHEW 11:16-19, 25-30
Jesus said to the crowd, “To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 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.”