Central to all Christian education is that Jesus is our teacher (John 13:13). In this passage in Matthew, he is directly asking his audience to “learn” from him. A popular question to ask in relation to this text is, who exactly is it that he is talking to? Who would qualify as “weary” and “burdened?” Scholars and lay people agree Jesus is talking to everyone. We are all burdened by the weight of our sin, and the sins of others (Romans 3:23). We are weary of many things and at various levels of intensity all through our lives. Because of this, everybody is invited to learn from Jesus, but there is a very important caveat to note, especially in a culture of wealth, comfort, and technological entrepreneurship. Jesus does not say he will remove all burdens and all weariness, he says he will replace them with his own. Those looking for a life free of care or concern should not look to Jesus. He is not our genie, granting our wishes, and making our dreams come true. He is our Lord, savior, and master, taking the foolish burdens of worldliness and self-righteousness, and replacing them with meaningful and purposeful direction. Under his yoke we are assured that our work, our burdens, our weariness, will not be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). We will be plowing in the direction we were created to go, accomplishing things we were created to accomplish (Ephesians 2:10). Christian education is not free of weariness or burdens, but at its best is modeled after Christ’s gentleness and humility, where students and faculty alike pursue academic excellence in a restful way, bearing the yoke of Christ as the Spirit teaches us all things (1 John 2:27).”

Blessings,

Will Schroeder

Middle School Principal