A Weary World Rejoices

A Weary World Rejoices (CBC - Sunday Sermon 12/08/2024)

Good morning, everyone, let’s go ahead and grab our Bible’s and turn to Luke chapter 2 to begin our time together today.

Luke 2:4-7 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

I think often times when we picture the trip for Mary and Joseph travelling from Nazareth to Bethlehem, we picture this couple traveling on a donkey, on smooth solid ground with nice weather and no hardships whatsoever. Biblical scholars and archeologists seem to think otherwise though. The 90-mile journey between them was probably highly dangerous and very challenging. It is believed that a person could have traveled this journey averaging around 20 miles a day, but given the fact that Mary was “great with child” it was probably limited to maybe 10 miles a day. Meaning that this trip between towns would have taken somewhere around 8 to 10 days. With their journey taking place in the late fall, early winter months the temperature would have dropped over night (along with higher chances of rain), so they had to make sure they had provisions for a fire, along with their food and water. Then there are the hazardous factors too of wild animals and desert thieves that would hide out in hopes of robbing the high traffic of travelers because of the census. Archeologists have uncovered signs along this path that warned travelers of the dangers of lions, wild boar and bears near this valley of the Jordan River. This was by no means an easy journey for the “Joy of the World” to enter into humanity! In fact, it proves to this weary world, that Christ was getting ready to conquer, needed him desperately. Life, creation and its burdens had become too heavy and travelled too far from God's presence. The world had grown weary, and God’s creation was spent. Even as Mary and Joseph made their way from Nazareth to Bethlehem, carrying the very definition of the joy of the world in her womb, the weariness still surrounded them. Have we found ourselves in a similar place? Making our journey through life only to be surrounded by a weary world around us, looking for any reason to rejoice? Pandemics, racial tension, disasters, health problems, relational divides, etc. Do we feel like God has set a destination for us to travel to, but the rumors of the trail ahead have kept us from trusting him? It can leave us feeling like a weary traveler on a journey without direction or purpose.

A WEARY TRAVELER’S RESTLESS SEARCH TO BE FOUND

What causes a person to become weary, worn out and exhausted with life? I don’t really think it’s because of one particular thing that lays before us, but that our tasks have become numerically overwhelming from chasing after things that ultimately will not bring us fulfilment or joy. Jesus gives us a little hint of this in Matthew chapter 11 when he offers us his solution for our restlessness. He says that God has intentionally hidden this from those who esteem themselves as wise, intelligent or clever; and chosen to reveal them to babes or children. Why would God do that? Because in a weary world where men are sinful and constantly looking for treasures outside of him, the older we get, the darker our hearts become towards him. Meaning, the more we will seek our own desires instead of his will, leads to a perfect equation to equal restlessness. What if the things we are looking for to ease our weariness aren’t what we thought they would be? What have we chased that we thought would bring us joy, but in the end left us feeling empty? In your search for joy don’t settle for happiness, it will never satisfy! Weary traveler, what you seek is not hard to find. Why? Maybe because we have been looking in the wrong way. The answer to your restlessness isn’t found from a what or a thing but in a who, and his name is Jesus!

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

After Jesus makes his statement that our redemption for weariness seems impossible for those searching on their own, he then reveals the hidden treasure that we all long for. What he instructs us to do might seem strange but it’s vital for us to find the joy we long for, “take my yoke upon you”. A yoke is a tool, made of wood, to link two animals together. Mostly seen in a field where two ox or cattle would be used to plow a field. So, in essence Jesus is asking us to link up with, be in step with, be in relationship with him, and learn of who he is. Find out the depth of his love, see that he desires that none perish but all come to know him. He can train you to a life of gentleness and humility, which will bring rest, peace and joy to your soul. It’s simple for a child to understand, easy to put on and light to carry.

To yoke up with Jesus means a weary traveler now have access to the way, the truth and the life. We now have THE WAY; we no longer need to be a weary traveler trying to find their way. We now have THE TRUTH that will show us the reality of the things we desire and chase after, to show us the emptiness of things that, as Solomon puts it, are meaningless! We also have THE LIFE, which guarantees that once we pass from this life to the next, the righteousness of Christ will be more than enough for our burdens, weariness, restlessness and sins that so easily beset us! No one will be able to find their way, find any truth, or an ounce of life outside of the child in the manger. Yoking up with Jesus means laying aside what makes us stumble in our weariness, and hold to what makes us humble; joining with Jesus to be our strength when we no longer have any. This truth shows us the way out of our weariness, and how a weary world can rejoice!

OUR WAY OUT OF WEARINESS IS THROUGH EMMANUEL

John 1:1;14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

While Luke begins his book with the details of Jesus birth in Bethlehem, John is led to begin his book, by God’s direction, to note the spiritual nature of Jesus divine arrival. It’s by no coincidence that John states “In the beginning”, because it’s a direct connection to the Bible itself in Genesis 1:1. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, and in the beginning was the Word. This tells us that the Word of God was there when God spoke creation into existence. That might seem strange but a closer inspection will tell us there is something unique about this Word because it is capitalized, as if it was speaking of someone instead of something; and that’s exactly what the intension is. The Word in this text is referring to Jesus. When God spoke life into existence, Jesus was there; but not only was the Word (Jesus) with God, the Word was God. This shows us the divine trinity of God the Father, Jesus the son and the Holy Spirit. We know the Word reflects Christ because in just a few verses below it shows us that, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” So, it’s not just that a couple named Mary and Joseph traveled and had a son, but that God himself saw us in our weariness and had a plan from the beginning to save us. Our answer, our way out of weariness is through Emmanuel, meaning God with us! And, like Mary and Joseph, that is the first of many reasons for us to have joy and rejoice. What are some of these truths?

1) GOD IS WITH US – This is obviously the highlight of Christmas, that God chose to be with us. We could not on our own, work our way or create our own way to him. Without the Word, and Jesus becoming human, we would still be wandering travelers seeking to answer the greatest questions in life. Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? If you are in a season now of wondering if God loves you and does he care for me, remember this Christmas truth. God, in his redeeming love, unfailing mercy and abundant grace left all the comforts of heaven to know us. God is not distant; He chose to dwell!

2) GOD HAS NOT FORGOTTEN US – The moment Mary gave birth to Jesus, and the shepherds appeared, and the wise men came, and the angels surrounded them and glorified God; it proves to us that God has not forgotten us. During this time, it had been over 400 years since God spoke to the prophet Malachi, and many had given up and thought that God had abandoned them. God was in the moment working to make a way to come join us, not desert us. Throughout the Old Testament it speaks of God remembering his promises to his people, and the truth of Emmanuel is the same for us. Christmas is a story of God turning his attention towards us and keeping his promise, literally fulfilling the Word that was in the beginning. In God’s mercy, he is fixing his eyes upon us and through Christ saving us. God has not forgotten you!

3) GOD UNDERSTANDS OUR STRUGGLES – Sometimes we get the idea that when Jesus came, being the Word, he didn’t have the same struggles that we had. Scripture says that Jesus, our high priest, understands our weaknesses because he faced all the same tests that we do, but he did not sin. This is not only good news because he can relate and show us a way of hope in our yoke with him; but scripture continues and says that because he understands we can boldly go to the throne of grace and receive the mercy, love, peace and joy of knowing God forgives all who humbly seek him. Jesus not only understands your struggles, but has the power to do something about them!

4) GOD WILL MAKE ALL THINGS NEW – The Christmas season and Advent is not just about reflecting on the birth of Christ and the fulfilment of his promises, but to also the promise that he would come again. That he would once and for all remove sin, cast away all darkness, no more disease, no more death, and create a new heaven and new earth. That is a gospel that is good news to a weary traveler!

INVITATION Jesus came humbly in a manger so we could know him, spoke the living Word of God so we could recognize him, and will be returning as King so we can dwell with him. But, the question becomes, will He recognize us? Weary traveler, will you come and find the joy of the world? When you do so, your traveling days will be done!!