Last week we touched upon the absurdity of going to the cross (upon which Jesus died) with your burden and returning none the lighter. This scenario negates completely the promise contained in the invitation of Jesus, wherein He says (Matthew 11):
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Yes, from a reading of the scriptures, we know that He is a God who cares about sparrows and He has stated that not a single hair of your head will perish without His permission. And Peter implores us to “7 Cast all your care upon him; for he careth for you”. 1 Peter. 5
What we hear from the scribes and pharisees (religious elders) is a sharply contrasting message. Jesus unpacks their schemes (Matthew 23:4): For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
The difference: They have nothing to offer. They are still parsing the Mosaic law jot and tittle; and have little grasp of the redemption offered by Jesus at a sublimated spiritual level, by His vicarious suffering and death, out of divine love. The curtain in the temple is rent in half when Jesus died, but with unsanctified eyes, they lack the ability to gain a heavenly vision.
Little surprise therefore that Jesus inveighs against the religious leadership with His litany of “woe to you” messages (Matthew 23) that strips them of its pretentious hypocrisy, layer by pompous layer.
It is one thing to lighten your burden and letting you go free and quite another to send you away empty handed. Check out the story of the Prodigal son. All he was looking for was forgiveness and some food but before he could say “what, ho” (Luke 15):
22 “the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So, they began to celebrate.
Yes, we often do not reflect on the fact that Jesus has prepared a banquet – as it were – for our enjoyment in mansions of glory. “2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also”. John 14: 2-3
Also read 1 Corinthians 2:9:
“………it is written: ‘no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’ — the things God has prepared for those who love him.”
Remember the story of Lazarus and the rich man? (Luke 16)
19“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores. 22So it was that the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.