Month: July 2020

Our scripture this week is Matthew 11:25-30.

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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.”

In this passage Jesus shares His invitation to be part of the kingdom work for which He came. He calls each of us to be part of His team, using an example from the farm practice of that time – the yoke, which was used to pair oxen together for strong and efficient plowing. When two oxen worked together, side by side it was much faster.

Is Jesus saying we are like oxen? Well, He has compared us to sheep before (which is not very flattering, but truer than we would like to admit!) and it is only for showing us how we are called to work together, as a team of oxen does, and that we are stronger when we are united. When we accept His burden and help each other, we are all made better.

The other point He doesn’t say specifically is that while we take His yoke, it is Jesus Himself by our side to help us bear the burden. He came to be yoked with us and for us, saving us from the weight of our sin through His sacrifice. Are we pulling our weight in the yoke with Him?

Gracious God, we thank You for the gift of our Savior, who came willingly to be one of us and relieve our burden. Make us strong and faithful to the kingdom, willing to work beside Jesus for the good of all. Amen.

Friends, due to a possible COVID exposure I am canceling our live services for tomorrow, July 5th at Nehawka UMC and Weeping Water UMC. There will be a FaceBook Live service at 10:50, and the recording shared as always. We would rather be cautious and as soon as we are aware of our exposure status, we will take all appropriate action to be tested and quarantine if necessary. Prayers and blessings, Pastor Doug

Our scripture this week is Matthew 11:25-30.

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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.”

Jesus speaks of the teaching method He uses as being part of God’s plan. It is a gentle way of relating to people, encouraging them to think about the lesson for themselves, using everyday items and situations to show them how we should live. It is very different from the scholarly speeches and heavy-handed control practiced by the religious and civic leaders.

Those in power often spoke in confusing and sometimes harsh ways, using the confusion and fear their words created to maintain control. They were not above lying when it suited their purpose. Jesus comes to invite the people to connect more closely with God and share that truth and love with others.

The parables Jesus taught us are easy to remember, and we are then able to apply them to the situations we face in our lives. Perhaps we no longer practice some of the things Jesus used as examples, but the value of the story is still there to guide us even today. I encourage you to remember a parable you have heard and go look up that passage in scripture, that you may again be blessed by His simple and loving teachings.

Gracious God, we are grateful that Jesus came to love and teach us. Help us to better understand and follow the way You call us to go. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 11:25-30.

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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.”

In this passage Jesus tells us “All things have been committed to me by my Father” (v. 27), indicating the confidence God has in Him and the depth of their connection. When the angel Gabriel announced the coming of Jesus to Mary, he said “they will call him Immanuel, which means God with us”. In John 14:9 Jesus says “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father”. While we may not understand fully, we believe the truth these passages teach us – Jesus and God are one.

In the hymn “They’ll Know We Are Christians” we sing “we are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord”. We know that Jesus came to be with us and teach us how we can be joined to God and each other through our faith. He tells us this unity in love is the most important part of that relationship.

Are we showing we are Christians by our love? Be aware of the many opportunities we are given each day to share the Good News, to show the world a better way by living as Jesus did. May we be obedient to His commands and may He say of us “Anyone who knows you knows Me”.

Loving Lord, help us to be strong but kind bearers of Your word. May the world come to know the truth of Your love and justice through the work You have given us. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 11:25-30.

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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.”

Jesus says His yoke is easy and His burden is light. This is much different than the forced allegiance to the occupying Roman government of that time. Jesus wants us to be obedient by our own choice and accept the responsibility that entails.

When we are obedient to God’s commands we find a freedom that surprises us. When we are responsible for our actions and our connection to God and each other, we discover that there is a new and higher purpose to our lives. Submitting to God’s will is nothing like earthly submission!

Being obedient and responsible means being like Jesus. He was obedient even unto death, and He took His responsibility very seriously. God had placed a call on His life, and God calls us as well. Listen, learn and be ready to serve the kingdom!

Gracious God, You call us all to be part of the wonder and work in the world You have made. Help us to see the needs around us and use the gifts You have given us to meet them. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 11:25-30.

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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.”

Jesus invites us to give up things that weigh us down and follow Him. He calls us to “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” (v. 29). This is much different than imperial edicts of Rome or the intricate law of the Pharisees that the people knew then.

Our current situation finds us worried and weary of the things we face. In that respect we are no different than the first century folk who looked to Jesus for rest and hope. While our society and lifestyle may be different, Jesus calls us to His side just as He has always done.

What burden are you carrying that weighs you down? Ask Jesus for the strength you need to bear it or the wisdom to lay down those things not worth dragging around any longer. In Him we are promised rest for our souls.

Loving Lord, You call us to let go of the temporary and take up the eternal by following You. Show us the way to be the children of God, loving and caring for each other as You intended. Amen.