The Rev. John Petty encompasses the diverse metaphors in Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 with a key insight: "Matthew is associating the works of Jesus with the wisdom of God. The works of Jesus we have seen in Matthew's gospel--gender equality, open table fellowship, non-violent resistance to Rome, critique of heirarchy--demonstrate God's true wisdom in action in the world."

To take up the "yoke" of Jesus, says Petty, "is to learn his Way and follow it." According to the NRSV translation, Jesus calls himself "gentle and and humble in heart" and assures us that in learning from him, we will find "rest for our souls." Petty suggests that the word translated as "rest" here refers particularly to "the kind of rest that puts a person on the road to recovery. It has a sense not only of rest, but also refreshment."

Petty concludes his textual analysis by proposing another fresh translation: "For my yoke is lovingkindness." "The word here," he says, is xrestos--"goodness, benevolence, pleasant, worthy, loving, kind." "Easy" is OK," Petty allows, "but, given the richness and importance of the word in this context," he says, "I'm going with 'lovingkindness.'"

Then, for a moment, The Rev. John Petty preaches: "Egalitarian living is 'lighter' than hierarchical living. Living in light of the freedom and dignity of every person, and especially the poor, is not a 'burden' but is, in fact, the way of true rest and true refreshment."

The Rev. John Petty's full commentary on Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 can be found at progressiveinvolvement.com in the list of lectionary gospel texts.