Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

This passage only serves to emphasise what we discussed yesterday about whispering and shouting.

Jesus whispers. He is gentle and humble. You rarely—if ever—find the humble and gentle hollering at people. Jesus didn’t go around planning to offend people or turn folks away. In fact, His Gospel was (and still is) completely inclusive. All He asks is that we swap our burden for His. That we leave our sin behind and take up the yoke of His grace.

Grace is a heck of a lot lighter than the weight of sin. Who wouldn’t want a lighter load.

The truth is that those who were offended by Jesus were those who enjoyed the burden of sin. They liked the position it afforded them. While grace is lighter, it would mean trading the load they’d grown comfortable carrying. They didn’t want to be taught about humility and gentleness. What they couldn’t see was the ease a life of humility might offer.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

James 4:10 (NKJV)

I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t mind dropping a heavy load, trading it for a lighter one, and then having Someone help me carry that one.

Daily Bible reading: Genesis 33-35, Matthew 11