Let me juxtapose two well-known sayings of Jesus.
First, look at Luke 9:23:
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Now look at 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.”
It would do us well in the church, when so many congregations are clamoring to make Christ easy to follow so they can attract ever larger numbers, to remember that the same Christ who takes our burdens is the Christ who gives us a cross.
And for churches that want to make being a disciple so burdensome that many people feel that they cannot make it as a disciple (whether through legalism or spiritual arrogance or a harsh push for radical Christianity) needs to remember that the same Christ who gives us a cross is the Christ who takes our burdens.
“And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.” –Matt. 11:6
Is the Jesus we believe in the burdened and burdensome Christ?
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