Anonymous (via GotQuestions)
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Danny Hickman
I don't get the religiosity understanding of this scripture that's popular here. I'm reading one answer after the next about us being loaded down with the burden of trying to keep the law. Is that what the world is striving with? Mr Houdmann says the Pharisees were putting the heavy burden on the people of trying to keep the law. Does this scripture pertain to us? Of course it does!! No Pharisee or anyone else has us weighed down and laboring to keep the law of Moses !!
I don't think the law is the focus of this. First Jesus pronounced WOES! on three cities for the people not repenting even after seeing all the miracles he performed in those cities. The reason they refused to repent is the same as the reason is now in 2022; they were full of pride!!
That's why he brought up how humble and lowly he is. He said it plainly: "Learn of me, you'll find rest for your soul." He's talking about getting free from worry, stress, anxiety, etc., which stems from an abundance of pride.
This isn't about the law. If it is, why doesn't he mention the law somewhere in the whole chapter?
Read Matt 11. Nothing is said about keeping the law!
It begins with messengers from John the Baptist coming to see Jesus. He speaks to them, they leave, and he praises John to the crowds. He tells the crowd they are wishy-washy, not believing John nor him. Then he talks about the three cities that didn't repent when he did all those miracles. Then the offer to "come to me..." Nothing about the law.
Danny Hickman
That was Jesus' yoke; he was a servant. He's telling us that the easiest way to get rid of an anxious soul is to empty yourself of yourself the way he did. "Learn of me" gives it away. He's not talking about us learning to do right the way he does. He's talking about us becoming like him, learning that the highest honor is to take the lowest position and serve. This is the hardest teaching to digest. It sails past us and over our heads like a rocket ship...