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God's Plan
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
The 5th and 6th grade students listened with rapt attention to their teacher, Nicole Foster. It was close to Easter, so she taught about Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. She related our sin to a burden we can’t remove alone.
She placed two backpacks in front of the class. One was filled with books, and the other contained only a sweatshirt.
The kids giggled as she struggled into the heavy backpack. "This backpack represents our sin." She steadied her feet. "When Jesus takes our sin," she removed the backpack, "Your burden is removed." She dropped the heavy backpack with a thud. "Jesus took that heavy burden on Himself when He sacrificed Himself on the cross." (Matthew 11:28-30)
She reached for the light backpack. "Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, '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 My burden is light.'"
It was a beautiful illustration that would usually end right there.
But as she explained Jesus’s sacrifice, a little boy began to cry. The other students were aware and sat silently. I watched Nicole walk over to this young man and sit beside him. You could hear a pin drop, even in the carpeted room.
A little girl put her hands together as her lips quietly moved. I wondered if she was praying. Nicole gently placed her hand upon the young man’s shoulder.
Nicole asked, "Do you have a burden to give to the Lord?"
The crying boy nodded. He explained a harmless situation. But in his 12-year-old view, it was devastating.
The teacher continued, “God will not only take this burden, but He can turn the burden into something beautiful. Do you believe this?”
The crying boy lifted his wet face to her and wrinkled his brow.
She smiled assuredly, "It’s true. God can take this awful thing and use it for His glory and your good. Even if you don’t see it now."
The boy looked confused as the rest of the class watched.
Nicole’s eyes roamed the room. "Who wants to pray for our friend?"
The little girl with moving lips jumped up, waving her hand.
The teacher smiled as she looked at the girl. "Thank you. Now, let’s all go to prayer."
The little girl led the class in the most beautiful prayer. She asked the Lord to comfort and bless her friend. She thanked God for being our burden-taker. I had tears in my eyes when she finally said amen.
It was a beautiful, poignant moment.
Afterward, the teacher approached me privately and said, "Well, I didn’t see the lesson going this way."
I laughed and said, “Isn’t God wonderful? God taught the kids a lesson about compassion and releasing their burdens.”
God is good. I’m so grateful to have a front-row seat of His goodness in Sunday School. I’m learning a lot by watching all of you teach. You are a blessing.
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