The Reading of the Week: Matthew 11:25-30.
So far this week (see here and here) we've seen how the Father reveals the Kingdom to those who recognize their helplessness, while keeping it hidden from those who are confident in their own abilities. So, what is it that brings us to a place where we're like children, a place where we realize we can't work everything out on our own?
As Matthew 11:25-30 continues, Jesus says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Apparently, there's something about the message of Jesus that resonates with those who are burdened, and draws them to a place of rest in Christ. If we consider this call in light of Jesus' previous statement about revealing himself to the childlike, it isn't a huge jump to conclude that it is the heavy laden who, because of their burden, have reached a point of desperation and are now childlike. In other words, it's the struggle of life that humbles us and brings us to a place where we recognize our need for God.
Specifically, in the original context, the burden that was being placed on people was the legalism of the Pharisees, who demanded adherence to 613 laws that had been written with the goal of keeping people in compliance with the Mosaic Law that God gave in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. As the people sought to obey these laws, they found themselves under a heavy burden and completely incapable of finding rest for their tortured souls.
So, what is the new yoke that Jesus offers? That's tomorrow's question.