The Simplicity of Christ

“Accept my teaching. Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit.
And you will be able to get some rest. Yes, the teaching that I ask you to accept is easy.
The load I give you to carry is light.”
Matthew 11:29-30 (Easy-to-Read Version)

My word of the year for 2019 is simplicity. It surprised me, because on the outside my life seems pretty simple. I don’t like to be too busy, I’m not extravagant, I’m easy to get along with. But my internal world is chaos with all the overthinking and second and third guessing.

I didn’t expect to find Bible verses and commentary on simplicity. But God surprised me, and it didn’t take long. January wasn’t even over when I read this sentence in the book From Good to Grace, “We must never move away from the simplicity that is in Christ.” 

Simplicity? In Christ? It’s not easy being a Christian, is it? Well, what exactly does Jesus teach? I came up with a quick list:

-Love God

-Love yourself

-Love others

-Don’t worry about tomorrow

-Don’t think too highly of yourself

-Shake the dust off of your feet

-Be a good neighbor

-Treat others how you want to be treated

-Forgive

While this list is not all inclusive, what strikes me is none of this sounds easy. But it does describe a simple life. Jesus wants us to live a life free from worry, hate, guilt, resentment, holding grudges, and pridefulness. These are all internal conditions of the heart, that will later effect our outward behaviors.

It would be good to remember that Jesus is teaching Jews. Jews that were used to so many laws dictating their behaviors. And not just God’s laws, but their own that they had added just to play it safe. Throughout the Gospels we read Jesus telling his audience that your outward behaviors do not matter as much as what’s going on inside your heart – because what’s in your heart will come out through your actions.

In other words, Jesus is saying, “All of these hundreds of laws are your burden to let go. You could never keep them to perfection. All the traditions you’ve created? Let them go too. Follow my teachings, and your inner world will be changed. The burden on your heart will be lifted and your actions will match what’s inside of you.”

What burdens will be lifted off of your heart when you embrace the teachings of Jesus? Will you stop worrying about your clothes (Matthew 6:25)? Will you stop dwelling on possible rejection from others (Mark 6:11)? Will you quit hesitating to do good (Matthew 7:12)?

I love the Finding Holy podcast by Ashley Hales. On this episode her guest shares three simple practices to improve your spiritual life. I think you’ll find it simple, even if not easy.

If you’d like to have more Bible verses to remember the simplicity of Christ’s teachings, I’ve created a sheet for you! Click the picture below to join my email list, and you’ll receive the link to print the verses for your learning and meditation!