Deuteronomy 30:11
“For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach.”
This is indeed good news; “it is not too difficult”. A religious person would find this unbelievable. When I was a young christian, I had much religiosity (or legalism) in my faith. Meaning I felt I had to do many things to please The Lord. I was harsh with myself.
I think of the monks of old. Some were solitaries, others took particular vows (silence, chastity, and so on). I saw another very religious person on tv. I was struck by the joylessness about them. As if being joyful was wrong.
I’ll give one last example about the unencessity of religiosity. I saw some religious soldiers in the news. They were shooting at an aircraft above. With each pull of the trigger, they would give thanks to God. They were saying it so frequently that it was clear it was habit and without feeling. Here’s what Jesus has to say about that in Matthew 6:7, “And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard.”
These are all examples when religion is too difficult. Today’s verse says that true faith isn’t that way. Jesus describes it in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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.” There is a burden, but it’s easy and light.
This is good news. The religious person would see this as foreign. It’s not just believing the right way, but becoming regenerated (John 3:3). 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!” He makes us new and literally helps us with the burden of life. It’s not figurative. As we walk in Christ we will feel a lightness.
Lord, thank You for this great news. Thanks that You literally help us.