Some time ago a friend asked me: “What about other people who worship other gods?”
I responded: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father. except through me.”
She looked very disappointed. It sounds very exclusionary but it’s actually not. Everyone is welcome to come to faith in Jesus.
“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 of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30
I believe that Jesus is extending this invitation to everyone who is experiencing any kind of burden, emotional, physical or spiritual. Since that is the human condition, it means he is actually inviting everyone. The image of a yoke symbolizes Jesus coming alongside us and bearing our burdens. That is a very welcome image in this pressured age. This might be an image we could share with friends who are struggling with something. Christianity is not judgmental, it is welcoming. Praise the Lord!