Come & Rest Matthew 11:28-30

can religion be a burden? Activities from which we refrain on Shabbat: Writing, erasing, and tearing Business transactions Driving or riding in cars or other vehicles Shopping Using the telephone Turning on or off anything which uses electricity, including lights, radios, elevision, computer, air-conditioners and alarm clocks Cooking, baking, or kindling a fire Gardening or mowing Laundry

“The Pharisees…crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.” Matthew 23:2-4 NLT

Matthew 23:23-24 NIV “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.”

Matthew 23:26 NIV Pharisees’ focus: Clean outside “Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.” Pharisees’ focus: Clean outside Jesus’ focus: Clean inside first

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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.”

If Following Jesus Is Heavy, You’re Doing it Wrong Matthew 11:28-30

“A rabbi's set of rules and lists, which was really that rabbi's interpretation of how to live the Torah, was called that rabbi's yoke . . . One rabbi even said his yoke was easy.” --Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis

How is this easier? It has been said… But I say to you… Love your neighbor, hate your enemy Love your enemy Do not murder Do not be angry with your brother Do not commit adultery Do not lust An eye for an eye Turn the other cheek

“Love does no harm to a neighbor “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Romans 13:10 NIV

Sometimes we need to ask for the desire.

If Following Jesus Is Heavy, You’re Doing it Wrong Matthew 11:28-30

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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.”

Table Sharing Can you think of a time when Christianity felt like a heavy burden to you? What has helped you to be free of that burden and find rest?