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An invitation to the weary and burdened (11:28–30). With an invitation found only in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus, who alone reveals the Father and the divine plan of redemption, calls out, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Jesus had called Peter and Andrew with a similar expression (4:19), but there it was (lit.) “Come after me,” while here it is “Come to me,” a tender call to intimacy with him for all those who are weary and burdened. “Weary” evokes the image of persons exhausted from their work or journey, while “burdened” indicates persons weighted down with heavy loads. They are like the crowds whom Jesus said earlier are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (9:36).

He extends the invitation by saying, “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.” The “yoke” (zygos) was the wooden frame joining two animals (usually oxen) for pulling heavy loads; this image was used metaphorically to describe one individual’s subjection to another. In that latter sense, the yoke is a common metaphor in Judaism for the law: “He that takes upon himself the yoke of the Law, from him shall be taken away the yoke of the kingdom [troubles from those in power] and the yoke of worldly care; but he that throws off the yoke of the Law, upon him shall be laid the yoke of the kingdom and the yoke of worldly care.”

Jesus’ invitation is in stark contrast to the religious burden of Pharaisism or the militaristic burden of foreign oppressors. His yoke—a metaphor for discipleship to him—promises rest from the weariness and burden of religious regulation and human oppression, because it is none other than commitment to him. His disciples learn directly from him. As the messianic inaugurator of the kingdom of heaven, Jesus offers rest in himself for their souls through his authoritative understanding of God’s truth. His yoke will bring true learning, which takes us back to the Sermon on the Mount, where he declares that has come to fulfill the Law. To learn from Jesus is to learn from his revelation of what the Law truly intends (cf. 5:17–48).

As complicated as life may become, discipleship is at heart simply walking with Jesus in the real world and having him teach us moment by moment how to live life his way.

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Yngve Kalins predikan

Abrahamsbergskyrkan 2007