By the Rev. Ken Jensen, Retired pastor from Albert Lea

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest… for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” — Matthew 11:28.

A young mother was conversing with her friend over a cup of coffee at the kitchen table. She was having a horrible day. The washing machine had broken down. The telephone was ringing unceasingly. Her head hurt. And, the mail carrier had just brought a bill for which she had no money to pay.

Almost to the breaking point, she lifted her 1-year-old son into his highchair. She leaned her head against the tray and began to cry. Without a word, her son took his pacifier out of his mouth and stuck it in hers.

For many Christians, being yoked with Christ is similar to the 1-year-old offering his pacifier to his mom. It is a comforting message to know we do not have to bear the weight of the world alone. It has helped many survive hard times.

To be yoked with Christ is to know we are loved, accepted and forgiven. Feelings of guilt, regret, resentment and grief over broken relationships that have weighed upon us for so long were lifted at Calvary. The tension between faith and works, law and gospel, judgment and grace begin to fit together.

The law points out our sin …what’s wrong in our lives. God’s judgment enables us to see the reality of where we are headed if changes are not made. The gospel reminds us that God loves and accepts us as we are. By his grace we are forgiven. And finally, the inspiration to do what is right and honorable begins to flow naturally from a heart that has found its peace in God.

It is a lesson to be learned not only by individuals, but as a community. Pointing fingers at “the other” rather than self examining our own beliefs and assumptions prevents us from making changes that need to be made in order that what is right and honorable may come into being.