Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Reflection: “Burdened” Written By: Pastor Jesse Caro When I took Greek in my undergraduate work and then in seminary, I had a decent grasp on the language (at least by the end). I took 4 semesters in my undergraduate, along with a class called “Greek syntax.” Then I took another 4 classes in my Master of Divinity. By the end I was able to translate from Greek to English much of the New Testament. Funny how quickly I have forgotten that language, however. Occasionally I peek into my Greek New Testament from college (it is on my bookshelf in the office) and I try to fiddle along. Ugh… I wish I had kept up with it! I like reading different translations… in part because I have firsthand experience in muddling through translating Greek. Translation in general (from whatever language to another) is hard. There is NO perfect translation, because every word in any language has a range of meanings. In this way, a translation is a stab at something approximating what the original language intended. Matthew 11:28 is a translation that I prefer in the good ol’ King James… “labor and are heavy laden!” So poetically wonderful. Contrast to the New International Version: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened.” I don’t know about you but “burdened” just doesn’t deliver the same punch. Sometimes I am not burdened, I am “heavy laden.” Laden comes from the word “load” and the King James is so descriptive. Sometimes we are struggling with a heavy load… too great to bear. I feel that. Heavy. Laden. Those words just feel heavier than merely “burden.” The original words in the Greek have more of that kind of weight to it… a heaviness of a load. And I am encouraged today that, whatever the heaviness on me, I can come to Christ for true rest. So, take a deep breath today, and rest. God has taken your load!
Prayer Lord, we rest now ever in you, and we rest in the care of your good grace.
