Daily Word of Grace # 159 (October 23, 2020)
One of my favorite movies from the 60’s is Easy Rider (1969), the classic counterculture film about the two friends Wyatt and Billy (played by Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper respectively) who take a journey on their motorcycles from California across the Southwest and into the Deep South “in search of America.” One of the many memorable scenes involves a montage of their riding across the desert, with the gorgeous song by The Band, “The Weight” playing. “The Weight” is the biggest hit The Band ever had, a gem from their 1968 album Music from Big Pink: “I pulled into Nazareth, was feelin’ about half past dead. I just need some place where I can lay my head. Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed? He just grinned and shook my hand. “No” was all he said.” Who cannot relate to that? Then comes the gospel chorus: “Take a load off, Fanny. Take a load for free. Take a load off, Fanny, and you put the load right on me.” Our Savior Jesus Christ, who actually grew up in Nazareth, has a gracious invitation for all those on their journey “in search for America” (or anything else) and looking for a place to lay their head: “Come to me, all you that 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). In other words, Jesus’ invitation to you echoes what The Band sings: “Take a load off, (your name). Take a load for free. Take a load off, (your name), and you put the load right on me.”
Love and Prayers,
Dave