the basic message # E116
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
What a warm promise from the Master himself. Ever think about the things we say that really makes Jesus happy? How about, “I’m so prosperous and lucky! Things just keep getting better and better!” I don’t think that’s a favorite of Jesus. How about, “I’m so blessed- God keeps showering me with blessings.” While I’m sure that Jesus appreciates gratitude, I tend to think he really loves to hear from us when nothing is going right. Why? Could it be because he likes us to depend on him? We Americans think that being independent is the greatest quality one can possess. We look down on people on welfare, never bothering to ever consider that some people really do need it. If I’m understanding American logic correctly, we tend to believe that good people are independent and bad people are dependent. Jesus operates under a very different system.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Who are the poor in spirit? I think Jesus is talking about the downtrodden- maybe even people who we might call “depressed” today. What might Jesus like to hear from me today? How about, “Jesus, I’m just about at the end of my rope. I don’t know where to turn or what to do. I’ve tried everything and everybody, but nothing has helped. What else is left?” At this point I can almost picture Christ with a loving smile on his face saying, “Come to me and I’ll help”.
Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Many years ago the United States Government created the “whistle-blower program”. This system was designed to give federal employees protection from retaliation should they come forward with a serious charge or allegation against their supervisor or workplace conditions. God has a whistle-blower program too. Jesus makes a clear promise in the passage above to all who are simply fed-up with the status quo. When a single-mom is working her heart out to support her family, the last thing she needs is a supervisor who tells her, “You do me a favor, and I’ll do you a favor- like letting you keep your job.” Let’s not get too graphic with the favor he’s asking for, but you get the picture. Millions of Christians are persecuted on their jobsites daily. Some are simply religious zealots looking to pick a fight or file a harassment suit, but most are just honest Christian people trying to make a living.
Matthew 11:29
“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 many years I thought this passage meant that taking the yoke of Christ was basically agreeing to give up everything fun and begin living like a monk. I now understand that Jesus is telling us that when we are yoked with him, he will pull the load and all we really have to do is walk with him. Jesus is on call 24/7 just listening for our cry for help. He can’t answer until we call. Pick up that prayer phone now.