“Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, 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 11:28-30) 

It is impossible to not be impacted by the news images and reports from the Middle East at the moment. Peace seems far off and daily images tell the story of the continuing inhumanity of war.  The debate about who is responsible for what particular tragic action is unresolvable. What we know is that children, women and men, going about their daily activities, focussed on what they need to live, have been and are being injured and killed. 

We plead for an end to the war and for peace. We know that access for the delivery of immediate humanitarian care is urgently needed. It is being sent to help meet the human needs of people displaced, injured and impacted by the war. Such support is particularly needed by the people living in Gaza with its closed borders and physical isolation. People living in Israel in the region near Gaza also live with dread and uncertainty about the future and what might happen. 

Together we, with so many others, pray for peace, justice and a workable solution to the sad reality of the years of tension in the land we describe as ‘Holy’.  Our prayers weigh heavily on our hearts. As we look for signs of peace, peace seems far off. 

Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28-30 are an encouragement.

In Jesus, our weary and burdened souls find rest.  This is rest for the task.

The yoke that is then promised is designed for burden carrying – and is one that is both gifted by Jesus and shared with him. It is accompanied by the promise of a light and sustainable burden!  

With our heavy hearts and the despair we share for the situation in and around Gaza and Israel, we are not alone. Our load is shared with Jesus and our hope is in his promised assurance of rest. On this promise we have confidence in our longing for peace, and trust in the abiding presence of the Prince of Peace, Jesus.   

Rev John Gilmore

NCCA President