Last week, I heard this: âAre you an American?â Asked some stranger while I was breakfasting at Huong Sen, Saigon. Unimpressed, I responded, âYes, Iâm from New York.â Surprised, the inquiring man, who incidentally looked somewhat like me, continued, âReally, you donât sound like it, or, ummmâŚ.act like it.â
âOh, Iâm Teacher Paul, of Buffalo, Western New York,â and I continued while revealing to him my Buffalo Bills shirt⌠âgo Bills.â  The inquiring foreigner (a Canadian) seemed content and continued with small talk.
Later, in recalling the conversation in my mind, I wondered why I identified myself from New York, but specifically as Paul, of Buffalo. Normally, I wouldâve said, âPaul, from Buffalo.â  Some small prepositions are interesting: of vs. from.
Perhaps I had been studying the phrase Jesus used, âlearn of meâ (KJV) â stated as âlearn from meâ in the confusing NIV â and it spilled over into my own vocabulary choice. Â Iâm from Buffalo (point of origin); but my accent, manners, and certain characteristics (Bills shirt) reveal Iâm still associated with Western New York.Â
Iâm of Buffalo. Â
Paul (Saul) identified himself as ââŚa Jew of Tarsusâ - he used of, not from. Tarsus was not merely a starting point: oh no, Paul presently had characteristics that specifically pertained to the Tarsus region â he spoke Greek for example (then Hebrew when he addressed Jews).
From- indicating origin, starting point
Of - associated with, specifically pertaining to Â
Notice that Aquila was born in Pontus (northern Turkey) and found in Corinth ââŚlately come from ItalyâŚdepart from RomeâŚâ (Acts 18:2) . From Italy, from Rome; but being an Asian, as Paul, he exhibited little that pertained to Rome. He was from Italy, not of Italy, not of Rome. Note: If youâre preaching this, go to John 15:19 ââŚye are not of this worldâŚâ [they were however, from it].
Now back to Matthew 11:29: Jesus didnât say âlearn from meâ he said learn of me (never mind the modern versions)! Learn of the the particular characteristics that pertain to me: my yoke, my burden, my rest.  Make these lessons, these characteristics, ever present in your life (of); not merely a starting point (from), but a living proof!