‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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
Story-summary, Sermon-outline
- Welcome – Jesus says ‘Come’; you are welcome.
- Weary – Jesus welcomes the weary, the tired, the jaded, the fed up, the burnt out, promising rest.
- Weights – Jesus welcomes those weighed down with heavy burdens and responsibilities, promising to share the load.
- Will – ‘I will give rest’, ‘you will find rest’. It is a certain promise.
The Jesus Story
The story about Jesus, the things he did and said, runs through the gospels – indeed the whole Bible.
Jesus told stories– about ordinary people in ordinary situations – sheep, seeds, robbers, families…
Jesus invited his friends and followers to share his story; those with Christian faith believe that Jesus invites them to share his story now.
Personalised Story
Jesus’ story and my story run together. I become part of his story; he becomes part of my story.
Using the structure of storytelling: ‘setting, conflict, climax, resolution’ with Jesus words, ‘Come to me…’
- Setting – I am a unique individual described and defined by my culture, family, gifts, character, experiences, weaknesses…
- Conflict – I am weary and tired – physically, mentally, emotionally drained. I am weighed down by burdens of health, family, responsibilities, expectations, work. I may fight against my weariness and weights; I may run from them. They don’t go away.
- Climax – I can go no further. I accept Jesus’ invitation ‘Come to me’. Coming to the gentle, humble teacher I choose to share my story with Jesus’ story
- Resolution – Walking and working with Jesus I learn from him. Jesus brings rest and shares my burdens. Our stories run together.
