“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me…For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29a,30).
TEXT — Matthew 11:28-30
Message
For many years, most people considered the marathon distance of 26.2 miles as an endurance feat reserved only for elite athletes. However, in 1972, the New York City Marathon opened its doors to amateur runners, breaking the notion that marathons were only for the exceptionally fit. Over 2,000 individuals signed up for the race and they discovered that with proper training and determination, completing a marathon was within their reach. Today, marathons are popular events worldwide, with millions of participants experiencing the joy of crossing the finish line.
Similarly, there was a time in Western Europe when the interpretation and dissemination of biblical knowledge were thought to be for the clergy. During this time, the Bible was primarily written in Latin, which was not widely understood by the general population. Access to the Scriptures was limited and the clergy served as the intermediaries between the Bible and the laypeople. The clergy’s role was to interpret the Bible and provide guidance on matters of faith. Thus, people were made to believe that serving God was burdensome and living in righteousness and holiness, impossible.
However, Martin Luther, one of the foremost reformers, had emphasised the importance of individual access to the Bible and the right of every believer to interpret it. So he translated it into German, making it accessible to all. These efforts led the world to realise that the way of the cross is actually easy, contrary to the myth that held sway for centuries.
Today, sinners can become saints, simply by repenting of their sins and yielding their lives to the Lord. What used to be perceived as a burden is actually light and His yoke is very easy.
Thought for the day
A deeper relationship with Jesus Christ brings true freedom and lasting peace.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
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