Malcolm Potts February 12th 2017 ~ Matthew 11:28-30

One of the brilliant things about the church Parish Council at St Philips is Paul Manley's monthly scripture reflection.  Each month Paul sends us a passage to ponder and we reflect on it together to open the meeting.This month it was Matthew 11:28-30. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  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.Barb Totterdell shared with me before the meeting on Sunday that she was convinced this text was central to her in her role as Families Minister.  That's interesting, I thought.As church was about to begin last Sunday, Trevor Parry handed me the pre-service prayer team's reflection for consideration.  You're on to it. . .  it was Matthew 11:28-30!  Absolutely no consultation between any of these people.Just to top it off, I get a text message from a member of our community early Monday morning.  It says, "Guess what's in today's paper?"Suffice it to say, I thought I should do a bit of homework on the passage.  It could be possible God has something to say!?First, relationship with Jesus is intentional.  If I come to your house, I have to do something to get there.  Want real life?  Come to Jesus.Second, a yoke was rarely a good thing in the bible.  In the Old Testament there was the yoke of slavery.  There is a sense that the Law was good but it was a heavy yoke to carry as it pointed out the depth of national and individual depravity.  Does Jesus mean Christians are to swap one yoke, the law, for another heavy yoke, him?  Unlikely.As usual, the context in Matthew gives the clue.  Chapters 10-12 collate Jesus' invitation to be on his mission, to become ‘little Christs’ in his revolution of love and service, if you will.Jesus is inviting us to yoke ourselves to him, the Master, as we plough together, as we share the work of ministry together and ultimately reap the harvest together in chapter 13.If we work together and with him, the spiritual harvest for ourselves and those around us will be significant and it will be rewarding [deeply restorative] and exhilarating, rather than enervating and exhausting.  It's his grace, his terms and his power that alone will see this  come to fruition.Now, that's worth pondering.Blessings,Malcolm