Burdens or Burdened There is a Difference

Can you remember a time where no matter what you did you felt like you were never going to win?

This has been the Lament of a lot of my colleagues. is one of those times for me…

The yoke of others is always a hard yoke to wear becuase it is designed to control you. But once we trade the yoke of other for the easy yoke of God we begin to have more security and confidence in our decisions. Not becuase we are smart but becuase we believe that the Holy Spirit is in fact guiding us instead of other people controlling us.

God is not control your every thought and desire, instead He gives us or teaches us everything we need to walk confidently in this life

Scripture

New Living Translation Chapter 11

16 “To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,

17 ‘We played wedding songs,

and you didn’t dance,

so we played funeral songs,

and you didn’t mourn.’

18 For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”

New Living Translation Chapter 11

25 At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. 26 Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!

27 “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

This is the Word of God for the People of God....Thanks be to God

Jesus shows us in this passage you just heard that he was no stranger to the pressure of others to control His message.

Jesus refused to be controlled by the whim of people.

18 For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”

There was no shortage of opinions on how the Messiah was supposed to act.

People basically did not want a messiah that acted different than they expected a messiah to act. This is one of the things that not only made it hard for Jesus to communicate but it also highlighted the differences between these groups of people.

Every single person that Jesus was talking about was searching for the same thing and thought there approach was the right approach. What was missing on both sides however was a recognition of fulfilment of the prophecies when it was right in front of their own eyes.

They had created what is called today an agreement bubble. Agreement bubbles are those bubbles we create around us that do not allow ideas and thoughts that might challenge what we already believe. It is most connected to our social media.

When we do this we unintentionally create obstacles to spiritual formation.

We overestimate the prevalence of our perspective

Our empathy for others decreases

We inhibit authentic dialogue and true change

It is natural to surround ourselves with people that we have something in common with. Yet…if we restrict our minds to only those things we already believe we are taking away the ability to grow and to learn more about the world around us and about God himself.

This commitment to long term growth is the yoke that Jesus is talking about in this passage.

A yoke for an oxen is used not simply to control an animal or keep the team together it is a tool that helps the animals use their power more efficiently. A good yoke is one that does not add to the discomfort of an animal but it fits in such a way that the work is done with less wear and tear on the animal.

Many times when we hear this message preached we get the idea that Jesus is inviting us to a life of ease. That if we put on His yoke that nothing will be hard and everything will come easy.

But that is not what is meant here is that by putting on the yoke of God we will then be able to go about the mission He has called us to without God adding to the stress of life.

The yoke acts as a way to bind us together…but not for bondage but to be an efficient disciple of Jesus and to give us rest.

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

So the take away from this verse is not take on my yoke and everything will be okie dokie…it is Take on his yoke and let Jesus teach you....in this our soul will find the rest that we so desperately need.

Learn More From Jesus Every Day

Luke 10:38-41

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

It is worth while to note that Martha was not doing anything wrong. In fact she was being a wonderful hostess. Jesus however was more interested in Marthas heart than he was her food.

There is only one thing that will bring you and I the rest from weariness we so desperately want…NEED... There is only one thing that will bring you rest from your hectic life…there is only one thing that can bring you rest from all the bad news in the world today.

Stop anything that keeps you so busy you cannot sit at the feet of Jesus.

Explore our relationship with Spiritual Guidance....Are you open to teaching....or looking for reassurance?

Examine the priority or lack of priority in our life for Spiritual Growth…Is Spiritual growth is it essential or optional? When all of this started people watched services…now it is estimated that 15 to 20 percent of people are watching from home…

Schedule a daily routine for spiritual growth which includes solitude

Reach out to a Spiritual Advisor....Pastor myself, or ?????

Pray to Start and End your day

Record what God is saying to you journal......

In a season where it seems like people maybe even ourselves have become overwhelmed or moved to selfishness maybe time to simply sit at the Feet of Jesus to find our rest.

When you feel invited to remain in silence at our Lord’s feet like Magdalen just looking at Him with your heart without saying anything, don’t cast about for any thoughts or reasoning, but just remain in loving adoration. Follow the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. If He invites you to beg, beg; if to be silent, remain silent; if to show your misery to God. just do so. Let Him play on the fibers of your heart like a harpist, and draw forth the melody He wishes fo you. —Columba Marmion— Union with God

Just as Jesus invites Martha to Join Mary so she can be present with the Lord…The Holy Spirit invites us to do the same in the receiving of Communion together.