Jesus said, Come follow Me
I occasionally feel that Jesus has somehow got lost in the shuffle between current issues, doctrine, church practice and tradition. I guess I am starting to realise that although I am part of a faith community I am also on an individual spiritual journey. I have been called to be a disciple and follow the Lord Jesus Christ just as much as Simon/Peter and Andrew were on the shores of the Sea of Galilee in Matthew 4:19 when Jesus simply said, “Come follow me.”
Maybe it looks like this:
“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.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
For the illustration of this principle we can turn to Matthew 11:28-30 with the call to yoke ourselves to Jesus, as two oxen are yoked together. My understanding is that they used to yoke a younger ox with an older ox that knew the ropes of how to do things. The older oxen usually carried most of the weight of the activity as the younger one learnt how things worked. We are called to take the role of the younger ox.
In Eugene Peterson's commentary on this passage, he emphasises that Jesus’ invitation to the weary is not just a suggestion but a powerful call to embrace a different way of life, one characterised by grace and rest. Peterson highlights that true rest is found not in escaping burdens but in submitting to Jesus’ gentle and humble leadership, symbolised by the "yoke". This "yoke" represents a partnership with Christ, a journey of learning and growth under his guidance, where burdens become lighter and life is lived in the "unforced rhythms of grace".
Could it be that we are called to walk beside Jesus through the Holy Spirit, not to try and trail along some distance behind? Or in a worse case, completely ignore the one we are called to follow while we wade through religion. I’ll finish with this:
“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)
I don’t think much has changed in 2025, God has certainly got my attention.
Blessings,
Paul Monahan