Jesus made two statements that seem contradictory. First, we are to pick up our cross and follow Him and the other, His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Clearly, those are at least contradictory on the surface. The cross we carry is us. It is our egos, our pride, our defensiveness, and our rights that we have to empty ourselves of. This is hard because it isn’t what many of us are taught or in any case what we learn as we come of age in this world. Jesus makes the comment about His yoke after telling His disciples just how hard their lot is going to be. Sending out the Twelve, Jesus tells them not to take any supplies, not to take any pay for what they will be doing – freely you received, freely give – and by the way, there are going to be a lot of people who will make your life considerably difficult. It is in this context that He says that a disciple isn’t above His master and that it is sufficient to be like your master. Then, ...
Ramblings and observations