On Friday, we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of
Independence, a document that claimed for us, as Americans and not Brits, the
right to experience “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” One need only to Google the word “stress” to
realize (if you don’t already) that the realization of those “unalienable
rights” can’t be found in the kingdoms of the world, including our own.
In Matthew’s story of Jesus’ life and ministry, we find
Jesus speaking more authentically to such human desires when He says, “Come to
me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, 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, NRSV)
Having had the privilege to travel in a number of countries
where it is more difficult to follow Jesus than it is in the culture into which
I was born, I’m not one to discount the privilege of growing up in a nation
where “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” are core values for our
government. Yet that same privilege of travel has reminded me that the real
gift of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is not found in nations,
but in Christ alone.
Just before Jesus offers “all” the invitation to come to
Him, even those who “are weary and are carrying heavy burdens,” He reminds us
that what he came to bring was not just for the “wise and intelligent,” but in
fact was revealed to little children. He also makes it more than clear that His
unique relationship with the Father was such that our only access to God was
through the Son, whose mission it was to reveal the Father to all willing to
come.
The “blessing of our birth” as Americans, is not that some
form of government can really provide “life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness,” but that we have the freedom to pursue the One who can provide such
blessing to us. To the extent that we expect our government – either in its
current expression or in our remembrance of some more idyllic form in the past
– to offer what only Jesus offers, we will experience the “weary and heavy
burden” kind of life that creates stress. To the extent that we confuse a form
of government created by man with the gospel of Jesus, we fail to be faithful
to the One who calls us.
Jesus invites us “to come and learn.” In Matthew’s story of
Jesus, learning – being a disciple – seems always to be front and center. When
I accept that invitation and begin to learn of a kingdom that is not of this
world, a kingdom that moves beyond the present with its constant awareness of
the day of His appearing, life changes. This surely is why Paul could say “For
this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory
beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot
be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is
eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17, 18, NRSV)
So if you feel a bit “weary” and it seems as though you are
carrying a “heavy burden” on this anniversary of the Declaration of
Independence, remember the freedom we have is best appreciated when we
recognize that its best blessing is the freedom to pursue the One who truly is
“gentle and meek” and can offer us “rest for our souls.”
