The Gospel for the Performance-Driven

11:28-30 ESV

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  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.”

Rev. Charles Han

This is the beginning of the series on our motivations outside of Christ. Today, we will address those who feel that success and self accomplishment will fulfill.

Crushing burden

This is not just talking about physical/mental exhaustion. Jesus is talking about spiritual exhaustion. What does this mean? It is the tiredness that comes from getting our identity from success whether it is work, parenting, ministry. God is not saying we should not work hard. It is when what you do becomes what you are. You get significance from success and depressed from failure. You are a success or failure depending on your circumstances. This comes from standards both internal and external. What makes us feel significant? Or insignificant? Do more. Do it now. Spiritual legalism is one form of this. Trying to justify ourselves. We are constantly in need of validation of our identity. Always trying to control everything, but we cannot sustain this. We will break down. This is what idols do, they bring us to death. The standards of perfectionists and performance are higher than how we can live or do.

Invitation to ultimate rest

Jesus invites everyone to come to Him and find rest. This is an everlasting, soul fulfilling rest. This is the end of the need for any justification. He took on all our guilt and shame. And He gives His righteousness, his inheritance, his performance, and his victory. You no longer need to measure up. In Christ, you no longer need to become, but rather you already are. You are completely justified in Him, you have nothing left to prove.

Learning to live under Jesus' easy yoke

So what then now that we know? We are free from the yoke of self justification. But we are not yoke free. He says we should be yoked under Jesus. Like an apprentice, we should learn  from Christ... to live in the reality that Christ has done it all.

Define your identity by what Christ did, not by anything else

Living in full obedience to the one who delights in our progression, not our perfection. He works in our imperfection and brokenness. He is easy to please but hard to satisfy. Like a father watching a baby learning to walk. He wants his child to walk, but he also delights in every bit of progress.

Isaiah 42:3 ESV

a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.