Better than all the gifts under the tree, better than the new car with the huge red bow atop, sitting in the driveway on Christmas morning (who does that, anyway?). Better than the very best news possible, we are the recipients of the supreme gift, the assurance that the twelve months ahead of us have been traveled already, the way has been fully cleared, ample provisions have been stocked, the year’s blessings have been set in waiting, the necessary strength has been promised. Jesus is that supreme gift. And yes, his presence changes everything. He is Lord of 2025!
What all this means, is that as we contemplate the months of this newly minted year, and take stock of how it feels to us, all our fears and sorrows and disappointments (we’re human, so let’s be honest, OK?) can be offered to him who is our All in All. Actually, that’s his invitation to us. Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30, NLT.
I don’t know about you, but these four sentences of Jesus are game changers. He knows full well that I get weary and that the burdens I attempt to carry are too much for me. As I picture Jesus looking at my list of ‘burdens’ I feel silly for letting them overwhelm me, for letting them invade my dreams, for allowing them to infiltrate my thoughts with dread. The look in his eyes says clearly, “I got this!” And yes, I guess I feel it’s ‘responsible,’ adult, even, to hold these things close as if I’m simply bearing what is mine to bear. Only, like a good parent, he knows I can’t, so that’s why he invites me to let him lift it all off my shoulders.
Beyond that foolishness of mine, I can easily fall prey to the wiles of the enemy and can get fixated on my unworthiness. This makes me think it’s my burden to bear because of who I am, because of what I’ve done, because of what I’ve not done. I see Jesus raising his eyebrows at me with that loving, convicting look of his saying, ‘Oh! So you think my sacrifice for you is not enough? You think walking in shame is somehow paying for what I was unable to pay? You think I was unable to wash that all away?’ He’s got me. I’m convicted. I repent. I feel born again all over again. 2025 is going to be a much better year! A toast to Jesus! PD
