Is Jesus The Way or in the Way?
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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.
Matthew 11:28–30
What beautiful words! I hope that the longer I live the more I believe them and the more I understand them because, at this point, I still have trouble really allowing the power of these words to transform me.
It seems like, for years, I did not see Jesus as the way but as standing in the way. What I mean is that my understanding of Jesus was so rigid that the way was not only narrow, but it was almost impossible to travel.
The things I demanded of others, such as following a pattern of worship the New Testament never specifically addresses, were a much heavier burden than the very clear, very specific ordinances in the Law when it came to the "order of worship."
But Jesus says that His burden is light, and it is about time that I start believing Him!
Who hasn't been weary and heavy-laden in their life? What's scary is that most of the burdens that we carry are placed there by us. Laws, traditions, commands that really come from us, not from God.
We stress out, worry what others think, and because of that we can't enjoy our time of worship together because of our fear.
Peter and John healed a man in Acts 3 who had been paralyzed since his entire life. When Peter pulled him into a standing position, he began leaping and praising God! If that's the kind of reaction that this man had when he received the ability to walk, how do you think we should respond when we hear, think about, or sing about the eternal life we have!! WOW!
I used to look down on those who clapped after a baptism. I imagine that I would have criticized this man for leaping in the house of God as well.
Stop laying heavy burdens on yourself and really accept Jesus's invitation!
The gospel writers use the word "joy" twenty-six times in the New American Standard. Jesus even said that He came to give us fullness of joy (e.g. John 17:13).
God didn't prescribe ways for us to express that joy because expressing joy depends upon the individual. David played a harp and danced. Miriam, a prophetess of God, threw a party where the ladies danced with tambourines. Those who were paralyzed leaped for joy. I'm sure the lepers hugged their loved ones for the first time in ages. People sang, threw parties, and prayed together. The elders in Revelation broke out their harps.
Rest in Jesus is something to be joyful about! Sing, dance, clap your hands, and shout to the Lord! Salvation is here!! What else can we do but celebrate?
Jesus isn't like the angel with the flaming sword who blocked the path to the tree of life. He isn't in the way; He is the way, and it is time we start living, talking, and worshipping like it!