Director’s Letter

His Yoke Is Easy and His Burden Is Light

The Law grinds us into the dust, but Jesus gathers us around His font, pulpit and altar.

By Kevin D. Robson | Summer 2019

Rev. Kevin D. Robson

Jesus said: “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” (Matt. 11:28–30).

As I write these words, my heart skips a beat over the 7,000 or so things that are on my to-do list. What haven’t I gotten done for my family or at work or with friends that was promised long ago? To whom should I reach out for a long-overdue conversation that one (or both) of us dreads? Why am I suddenly replaying in my mind specific sins from my past?

You too? All this is the Law — relentlessly, perfectly grinding us into the dust. But then Jesus says, “Come to me,” and perfectly explains why we sleepless, wandering beggars have been gathered in sacred assembly around His font, pulpit and altar.

Christ, the Son of God, He of gentleness and humility, wants us near Him, to receive and bear His yoke of perfect righteousness delivered. It’s as trusting and childlike as that. His yoke is easy and His burden is light because, as one of our forefathers in the faith put it: We do not bear grace; grace bears us.

Anything we’re doing as the Church, the one Body of Christ in His mission field both near and far, comes with and under that simple premise. We rejoice and give thanks and pray for strength and mutual encouragement under Christ’s yoke, that we would gently place it upon the souls of our fellow weary sinners — wherever in the world we might find them.

Take a look at the stories in this issue of Lutherans Engage the World magazine for a glimpse of how God blesses the labors of His people and sustains them with the peace that passes all understanding.

In Christ,
Rev. Kevin D. Robson
Chief Mission Officer, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod