In this Sunday's Gospel (Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30) Jesus mentions how we have been entrusted with the "secrets" pertaining to the kingdom. I like how this is phrased as Jesus spoke to the crowds and prayed,
"I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants..." (verse 25)
Yes, there is wisdom that has been imparted to us as we have received the gospel and also the life-giving words of Jesus. We read toward the end of the lesson, "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." (verses 28-30)
Think of this rest that comes from Jesus. It is meant to free us from relying on our own merits and accomplishments for our worth before God. Also, weariness might come from trying to set our own standards for being right with God. Or we might get caught up in being a perfectionist. Then, too, It might be in our own busyness that we have failed to get adequate rest to ponder the goodness of God. All of this can bring on fatigue and can weigh us down. The yoke of Jesus is easy because our relationship with God is tied in with his righteousness - not ours. There is a breath of fresh air that can come from looking to Jesus!
I would ask you to reflect on these words of Scripture in your preparation for Sunday's worship. I hope that you can find this rest for your soul.
Discipleship Questions for Reflection
Is there anything that might be weighing heavily on you as a burden at the present time?
How do you find the time to simply rest and ponder the greatness of God?
"I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants..." (verse 25)
Yes, there is wisdom that has been imparted to us as we have received the gospel and also the life-giving words of Jesus. We read toward the end of the lesson, "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." (verses 28-30)
Think of this rest that comes from Jesus. It is meant to free us from relying on our own merits and accomplishments for our worth before God. Also, weariness might come from trying to set our own standards for being right with God. Or we might get caught up in being a perfectionist. Then, too, It might be in our own busyness that we have failed to get adequate rest to ponder the goodness of God. All of this can bring on fatigue and can weigh us down. The yoke of Jesus is easy because our relationship with God is tied in with his righteousness - not ours. There is a breath of fresh air that can come from looking to Jesus!
I would ask you to reflect on these words of Scripture in your preparation for Sunday's worship. I hope that you can find this rest for your soul.
Discipleship Questions for Reflection
Is there anything that might be weighing heavily on you as a burden at the present time?
How do you find the time to simply rest and ponder the greatness of God?
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