Monday, July 14, 2014

Embracing the Paradoxes and Making the Trade



Today's Scripture is Matthew 11:25-30.  This passage was brought to my heart and mind this morning, in conjunction with the one I shared about yesterday, the "take up your cross daily" passage.

I got to thinking....that sounds awfully burdensome, doesn't it?  Who would want to do that?  It makes the Christian life sound like drudgery!

The Bible is an amazingly complex book.  We are told that it is "God-breathed", or "inspired by God".  His Holy Spirit "breathed out" the words to the human authors of each of the books of the Holy Scriptures.  That being said, it often seems confusing and even contradictory.  However, when we take the Scriptures as a whole, the entire, complete picture emerges as the Holy Spirit enlightens us.  This complexity is why we can study the Bible for a lifetime and still not understand it all.

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son decides to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.”

Look at what Jesus tells us in the first couple of verses of today's passage.  He is praying to Father God and praising Him that the deep teachings of the Christian walk are not easily discerned.  Hmmmm...now why would He rejoice in that?  Because, the Godhead wants us to seek Him, to draw near to Him in order to deepen our relationship with Him.

Jesus goes on to thank Father that these understandings will only be revealed to those "little children", the humble ones whom He, Jesus, chooses to reveal them to.  He was praying this in the presence of His disciples, whom He had chosen.  All of this sounds awfully exclusionary, doesn't it?

But then!  Look at verses 28-30.  Paradoxically, He thens speaks directly to the disciples (and to us), issuing this beautiful, all-inclusive invitation.  This invitation is for anyone who will humbly seek Him.   Praise the LORD!

{The Classical Era composer George Frederich Handel set this Scripture passage to music as part of his masterwork, "The Messiah".  I always hear that beautiful music when I read this passage.  I think Handel pictured it beautifully in his lyrical, restful soprano/alto duet.  YouTube it today if you have a chance.  You'll be blessed!}

Jesus invites us to come to Him and lay our heavy burdens down, to trade them for His "yoke" (His cross) and to learn from Him.  Again, this sounds very heavy and unappealing, doesn't it?

The analogy Christ used here is one with which the disciples would have been familiar.  Oxen pulling a plow or a cart would have had a heavy, wooden beam (a yoke) across their backs.  The yoke ensured that the oxen would be steered in the right direction and, if a team of oxen was used, that they would "pull together" to get the job done.

Although a yoke does not sound pleasant, Jesus assures us that His "yoke is easy" and His "burden is light".  How can that be?  Paradoxical, right?

He is not a cruel taskmaster.  He says that He is "meek and lowly of heart".  Another version phrases it:  "gentle and humble in heart".  Wow.  The God who created all that is....He wants to lead us, teach us gently and humbly.  How amazing!

Lay YOUR heavy burdens down at the feet of Jesus today.  Take His yoke on your back.  Take His cross on your back today.  Make the trade!  He promises that if we do that and seek Him, learn from Him that we "will find rest for our souls."  The apostle Peter echoes this command in 1 Peter 5:7 when he says, "Throw all your cares on Jesus, because He cares for you!"

I can't explain this paradox to you, Christian.  I can only testify to you that I have found it to be true in my life.  And, I urge you to do it today, and every day.  Embrace the paradox!  And, find rest for your soul.

Good morning, Lord Jesus!  Thank you for including all people in your invitation to draw near to You.  Only in You can we find rest for our souls.  Thank you for your precious Word of God to us, the Bible, which we can study and pray over as we draw near to You.  Holy Spirit, thank you for enlightening our hearts, minds and souls as we draw near and study the Scriptures.  Today, let us find rest for our souls when we joyfully take our Lord's yoke up and place it across our shoulders.  Fill us today, Holy Spirit!  Empower us to magnify the name of our great God, as a lost and dying world watches.  We love you, Lord!

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