It's time to take a rest

Fairly early in his public ministry Jesus told his followers that when the burdens of the day seemed a bit too much they should come to him for “the rest that refreshes.” They should take on a yoke like his because it fits so well that whatever their load might be, it would seem light (Matt. 11:28-30). What is so interesting is that immediately after that, his disciples got into trouble by plucking some grain on the Sabbath and Jesus had to explain to the Pharisees that the Sabbath was made for man, not the other way around. That straight-forward bit of theology made them so angry that they began to develop a plan to take his life. It’s hard to understand why that would arouse such violent opposition, but it did.
       As a result Jesus chose to leave the area and go to the more quiet shores of Lake Galilee. People knew where he went and huge crowds kept pushing in to hear him. He healed those who were sick and cast the demons out of those under their control. It was an exhausting day but that’s what God said would be the task of the one he would send to fulfill the prophecies of Isaiah.
       Shortly after that Jesus was invited to the home of a Pharisee who objected to the woman who came uninvited and after anointing Jesus with precious oil, knelt and bathed his feet with her tears. That was simply too much for the Rabbi, so Jesus took the time to give him a lesson about love and forgiveness. How did Jesus go about that? Well, he could have told him in no uncertain terms to rearrange his priorities and learn how to love. But what Jesus did do was to point out that the woman had simply done what his host had forgotten to do – welcomed him with the customary kiss, cleansed his feet, and anointed his head with oil. Jesus wanted the cleric to learn an important lesson in the relationship between love and forgiveness. Obviously he was tired from the time and responsibility of dealing with the crowds and even now, in the quiet atmosphere of a home, he took the necessary time to help his guest understand an important ethical truth. Jesus didn’t follow the standard method of teaching by laying out a systematic presentation of all the facts involved. Instead, he told a story about a money-lender cancelling the debts of two men neither of whom was able to come up with the necessary cash. Since one owed more than the other, it was clear that he would be the more appreciative benefactor – the greater one’s debt the greater the appreciation for forgiveness. And Jesus looked at the woman and told her to go in peace because her faith had saved her.
       My point is simple: Even though his days were filled with the responsibility of helping others he was inwardly at peace and invited his disciples to share that calm approach to the "demands" of life. Live as he lived is the secret of a quiet and effective approach to life. Jesus never had "ministerial burn out" and neither should you. His yoke fits so well that when you take it each day's load becomes lighter. The One who by nature was “gentle and humble in spirit” teaches all of us the secret of bearing up under pressure.