What You and I Need this New Year
"Did you make a resolution for this new year?". I was asked this question by a family member recently. Maybe you've been asked too? A quick online search told me that the most common resolutions people make are health-related. I'm a big fan of healthy habits, spiritual disciplines and rhythms of grace. For example, the wise person habitually meditates on God's Law (Psalm 1:1-3). But, the subtle danger of the New Year resolution buzz is that we can begin the new year under the world's yoke of performance rather than Jesus' yoke of grace. Jesus talks about His 'yoke' in Matthew 11.
29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:29-30)
The 'yoke' was something placed over two working animals to control them. By Jesus' time, however, the 'yoke' was also used to talk symbolically about coming under submission to a way of life. To come under the yoke of Jesus, therefore, means to be His disciple, to listen to Him, to submit to His way of life. However, He says that His yoke will bring rest to our souls instead of exhaustion. How interesting. His teaching and commands are not burdensome, but liberating and refreshing.
In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus was particularly in conflict with the hypocritical Pharisees who put heavy burdens on the shoulders of the people (Matthew 23:4). The Pharisees were happy to tell everyone how to keep God's Law to the finest detail, but weren't willing to lift one finger to help the weak. Whereas our gracious Lord Jesus not only walks with us (Matthew 28:20), but even died to save weak sinners like me who cannot save themselves.
This is one of the key differences between Jesus' message and the World's message. Jesus isn't afraid to tell us how flawed we are (Matthew 7:11), but He is willing to not just help us, but even die to save us from our sin and Satan. The world flatters us by telling us we can be incredible, that everything we need lies inside of us, but the world only rewards and upholds those who carve out success themselves.
In the end, our world's flattery only creates a heavy yoke for us where we are the ones who need to prove our own worth. Yet, the Lord Jesus, with eyes of compassion looks at us, tells us our true predicament, and steps toward us in grace. He gifts us worth. He gifts us everything we need when we humbly admit our weakness and need. Whatever resolutions you may make, I urge you to rest in Jesus' grace this new year. Nothing can separate you from His love (Romans 8:38-39). Rest in it even as you make plans and resolutions for this new year.
Grace to you,
Ben
