"A Perfect Fit!"

A sermon preached by the Rev. Christopher E. Yopp at Edgemont Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) based on Matthew 11:16-19 and 25-30.

I find it rather ironic that our Lectionary’s Gospel Lesson for today comes to us on the Sunday after the 4th of July. Here, Jesus’ invitation certainly resonates with the invitation inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, that wonderful symbol of freedom that was visible to those who were making their way to Ellis Island. The inscription on the Statue of Liberty beings with the words; “Give me your tired, your poor...” Jesus invites us to come and find strength in him for the journey that is before us. Without a doubt, these words bring us comfort and strength, peace and assurance. In fact, we often hear these words recited at funerals and on other such occasions.
Anyone who has walked on the journey of faith knows that such a journey brings burdens and troubles. This beloved passage may seem, at first to offer a promise of release from such burdens but much like the Statue of Liberty’s call to freedom, Jesus’ invitation is not a promise of easy roads and a carefree life. Traveling the road of Christian faith, like traveling the road of political freedom, is a journey of challenge and obstacle. But these roads are also journeys of opportunity and hope.
There is a wonderful legend concerning the quiet years of Jesus’ life - those years prior to his ministry as recorded in the gospels. The legend claims that Jesus, the carpenter was one of the master yoke-makers in the Nazareth area. People would come from miles around for a yoke, hand carved and crafted by Jesus, the son of Joseph. When customers arrived with their team of oxen, Jesus would spend many hours measuring the team - their height, the width, the space between them, and the size of their shoulders. Within a week, the team would be brought back and Jesus would carefully place the newly made yoke over the shoulders, watching for rough places, smoothing out the edges and fitting them perfectly to this particular team of oxen. And, you know, friends, that’s the yoke Jesus invites us to take. We are not to be misled by the word “easy,” life is anything but easy. The root word in the Greek speaks directly to a tailor-made yoke - one that is “a perfect fit” or “well-fitting.”
The yoke that Jesus invites us to take, the yoke that brings rest to our weary souls, is one that is made to fit our lives and hearts exactly. The yoke that Jesus invites us to wear fits us well, it does not rub us nor cause us to develop sore spirits, and it is designed for two. His yokes were always designed for two. And our yoke-partner is Christ, the one who assures us; “I will never leave you nor forsake you...,” “I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.” .
In our Gospel Lesson this morning, Jesus expresses his frustration that so many signs have been revealed that God’s kingdom has come and yet they are still blind. This outburst from Jesus is prompted by a question posed to him from John the Baptist, who is in prison but wants to know more about what Jesus is up to. In fact, Jesus said in verse 11; “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” But we see that the crowds did not understand. They did not understand John. They did not understand Jesus. And as a result they do not enter the kingdom, the new age that is “at hand,” which offers the opportunity to live differently, to know forgiveness, and to practice justice. John was ridiculed in his time, as one possessed by demons. Jesus, who loved a good meal, was viewed in his time as a glutton and a drunk. They were blind!
But Jesus was inviting them and is inviting us to get on board, to open our eyes and our hearts. The “New Age” is now! The “kingdom” has come! Turn, grasp, embrace, serve — live differently — and Jesus will meet you anywhere that justice is being done, bonds are being loosed, strangers are being embraced and the hungry are being fed.
The parents of one of my best friends are frequent travelers to India and they told me that along the winding roads of India, especially in the hill countries, there are little resting places for travelers. These resting places are called samatanga. Here the traveler can rest his feet, lay down his burden, and pause awhile to talk with other travelers. After a period of rest and mutual encouragement the traveler resumes his journey refreshed and strengthened.
It is not surprising that Christians in India have become accustomed to saying; “Christ is my Samatanga.” For that is exactly what Christ is to the heart of the believer - a place of rest, a place where burdens are laid down, a place where we find strength and encouragement to continue the journey.
These words of Christ mirror those found in the final blessing of the apocryphal book Sirach. This apocryphal book was originally written in Hebrew around 200 B.C. and translated into Greek in 132 B.C. While this book is not included in the Hebrew canon, it is known through the Greek translation. However, Hebrew fragments were found among the Qumran scrolls. It is entirely possible that Jesus knew the work of Sirach, because his own teachings had many of the same characteristics.
Sirach wrote: “And now bless the Lord of all things, the doer of great deeds everywhere, who has exalted our days from the womb and acted toward us in mercy. May he grant us cheerful hearts and bring us peace in our time, in Israel for ages on ages. May his mercy be faithfully with us and may he redeem us in our time.”
The 21st century Jewish journalist, Thomas Friedman once said; “A holy book, whether it is the Bible, the Torah or the Qur’an, is only holy to the extent that it shapes human life and behavior.” And certainly there is some truth in that statement.”
Perhaps there was a deeper meaning to the words of Christ here in our Gospel Lesson. Perhaps he was calling us to become a part of his kingdom. You see, in the New Testament times the phrase “take my yoke” was used by Jewish rabbis to mean, “become my pupil.” Jesus gave a gentle invitation to his pupils, his students, his disciples; “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” You see, Jesus is calling us a life that reflects the kingdom he came to introduce.
How do the words of scripture impact and shape your life? Do they impact your life to such an extent that they are holy? Won’t you link your life to the life of Christ and learn from him – be his pupil, be his student, be his disciple, and find yourself renewed and strengthened by the Lord of the Sabbath! Won’t you experience God’s kingdom – a kingdom where justice is being done, bonds are being loosed, strangers are being embraced and the hungry are being fed. Won’t you yoke yourself with Christ, because you will find that it is indeed a perfect fit!