by Ralph I. Tilley
"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. 11:28-29 (NIV)
The first sermon I preached as a 16 year old boy, was from the above text.
These words of Christ, which warmed my heart then,
mean so much more to me now--these many years later. --RIT
He stumbled into the Carpenter's
shop many years ago,
Longing for the right device
to help him with his load.
Short of breath and bowed down low
he told about his burden,
describing as best he knew how
the problem of his condition.
The Carpenter listened compassionately
as the boy poured forth his plight:
How difficult it was to walk,
though he walked with all his might.
"Could it be," the boy inquired,
"there's something you could make,
To help me with this heavy load
lest under this load I break?"
The kindly Carpenter turned to a rack
from which he took a yoke:
A device he had skillfully made
with loving hands, stroke by stroke
With hands controlled by wisdom and love
He gently lowered the wood,
Until the yoke was firmly set
on the neck of the weary lad.
Looking up with a radiant face
the boy joyfully exclaimed,
"No longer am I now weighed down;
My load has suddenly vanished!"
With a knowing smile and a kindly word
The Carpenter simply said,
"The yoke I make is easy to wear;
Go your way and be glad."
Walking away from the shop that day
the boy was deep in thought:
"I wonder if it's the scars I saw
that make this Carpenter different?"
