Matthew 11:25-30 Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest

Jesus had been teaching that he is the Son of God bringing near the kingdom of God and that the proper response to such teaching is repentance that moves one to mission: to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom. These are the things that are hidden from the “wise and understanding” according to this world because they are not open to receive Jesus’ teachings. These things are revealed to “little children,” people who are willing to receive Jesus’ teachings with simple faith. In this simple prayer of thanksgiving, Jesus reveals the will of the Father: the pride and arrogant who are unwilling to believe will not see and the humble who are willing to embrace with faith will see (receive revelation). Jesus also explains his relationship with his Father: he has been handed over all things, authority in heaven and earth (Mat.28:18) to accomplish his mission, to begin the establishment of God’s kingdom upon the earth. To know the Father is the privilege of those who are in relationship with Jesus because he is the only one who knows (not just about, but intimately in relationship) him.

Jesus makes a call to all who are burdened by the legalistic interpretations of the Law imposed upon them by the Scribes and Pharisees. Interpretations that promote works in an attempt to earn salvation and enter the kingdom of God by one’s own merits. He calls people to himself so that they can enjoy rest from such labor. Jesus is offering a lighter yoke. Yoke was used as a metaphor for the disciple/teacher relationship. Submission to one’s teacher was to receive his yoke upon oneself. Jesus is calling people to switch their discipleship over to him because he is gentle, not a slave driver. He is also lowly in heart (humble), with no interest in putting people down to show himself superior. This yoke is easier because it is lighter and will allow people to find much needed rest. Rest refers to a stopping of the work, but also as enjoying a blessed tranquility of the soul in God. To follow Jesus is to take his light and easy yoke upon us that we may find rest for our souls.

Lord, help me take on your yoke. Help me see that obedience to you brings rest for my soul.

Psalm 31 Into Your Hand I Commit My Spirit

How timely and appropriate is this psalm for today, Good Friday. Jesus cited the words of verse five while he was on the cross. "Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' And having said this he breathed his last (Luke 23:46)." It is often said that the last words of a dying person are very special. These words are indeed special to all who believe in him. Christ continues to teach until his last breath.

In his hour of persecution and anguish, Christ called unto his Father. The relationship between Father and Son is very tight. He often said that he and the Father were one. As a big brother, Jesus is giving me example on how to depend on the Father in all circumstances. He wants me to have a tight relationship with my heavenly Father too, as well as with him. Persecution, prejudice, or prison should not deter me from praying to my Father. Who will I call in the last moments of my life on earth?

Christ commits his spirit into the hands of his Father. It is a prayer of surrender. When the inevitable is about to happen, Christ teaches me to pray and surrender my life. It is a prayer of trust. When all odds are stacked against me, I must turn to God and trust him to make the best out of my circumstances. Only in God's hands will I be truly secure. It is a prayer of commitment. While he had many options, Christ chose to pray to his Father, he was committed to this relationship. Christ teaches me to make the same commitment. In the last moments of life on earth, only the very important relationships in life will come to mind. Who will that be for me?

Christ lived his life depending on the Father's direction, guidance, and power. His dependence was evident in his time away from the crowds to cultivate communion with the Father through prayer. He did only what the Father told him to do. He said only the words the Father told him to say. Christ, just as he lived, he also died depending on his Father to take care of his spirit at his last breath. What do I depend on in life? What do I hold onto? Christ wants me to depend on my heavenly Father.

Father, I want to be one with you and your Son. Help me surrender, trust in, and commit to you every day, especially in the dark moments of my life. May I be dependent on you for my every move; for my every word. Amen.

Matthew 22:34-40 The Greatest Commandment

Jesus, when questioned by the Pharisees on the most important commandment, said it was love. Love your God and love your neighbor as yourself. This summary of the Law is significant because the Pharisees were very strict in the observance of the Law and had developed additional laws to help them apply it on a daily basis. The life of a Pharisee was heavily regulated by do's and don'ts, but was lacking in love. Love is the most important thing in life. Relationships are the foundation for everything in life.

To be sure, there is an order to the proper development of relationships. First, we are able to love God because he loved us first (1Jn.4:9) and he pours his love into our hearts by his Holy Spirit (Rom.5:5). Second, we are able to properly love others, even our enemies, when we are in relationship with our God because he is the source of true love. It is impossible for me to muster true love on my own strength. I need to come to the source to find the supply I need every day.

It is important to take notice of the kind of love Jesus is talking about . It is not the half-hearted politeness that I show most people. My love for God must be a fully devoted love with all my being: thought, affections, and will. Anything less than that falls short of true love. Love for God is exclusive; it cannot be shared with others. I cannot love God and money. I cannot love God and power. I cannot love God and "fill in the blank." Whatever competes with my full devotion to God makes my love less than genuine and becomes idolatry.

My love for my neighbor is qualified by my self-love. It is important to note that the Scripture assumes self-love and does not tell me that I have to work much at loving myself. Self-love is innate and automatic. I care for myself as I feed and preen my body every day. I do the best I can to care and protect myself. This is the way in which I am to love my neighbor. The Golden Rule sums it up for me: whatever I wish others would do to me I should do to them. This kind of love is not possible unless I am in a relationship with my God. On my own, I am selfish and arrogant.

Lord, I want to love you more each day. Pour out your love in me through your Spirit. Fill me to overflowing that I may also love my neighbor as myself.

Matthew 14:22-33 Jesus Walks on the Water

Jesus takes time for a prayer retreat. Much ministry is ahead of him and he needs to prepare for it. Is it also possible that after ministering to over 5,000 people, he needs some rest? It is easy for me to think of prayer as preparation for ministry, but it is not that easy to think of prayer as recovery from ministry. Rest in the Lord is not just sleep. Isn't it also to have peace, inner quietness, and focus? I can't achieve that on sleep alone, but through prayer.

Jesus prayed alone. He sends his disciples ahead of him to be alone in prayer. The disciplines of prayer and solitude are very important in life and ministry. Am I willing to be alone with my Lord in prayer? Silence and solitude are the ingredients necessary for contemplation and self-reflection though many despise them because silence can be deafening and solitude can be overcrowding.  If I desire depth in my relationship with God, I must take time to be with him alone.

By the fourth watch, the disciples are still out on the Sea of Galilee fighting a storm and trying to reach land. A watch is a three hour period during the night. The first watch is 6-9pm; the second is 9-12am; the third is 12-3am; and the fourth is 3-6am. This means that the disciples have been on the boat for over 9 hours fighting the winds of a storm. Mind you that these men are no amateurs when it comes to sailing since many of them used to make a living fishing there. They were obeying the Master's orders to go to the other side and yet encountered a great storm. Many obstacles await me in my obedience to the Master. Will I be as faithful as the disciples battling against the storms of life to obey?

Finally, the Lord comes to their rescue. The disciples are frightened because they think he is a ghost. The Lord identifies himself and encourages them not to fear and Peter requests to be with him. Unfortunately, fear grips his heart in the middle of the storm and he begins to sink until he cries out for help and the Lord takes a hold of him. Not only are there obstacles in accomplishing Jesus' mission, but there are obstacles in getting close to him. Neither one can be accomplished on my own strength and power as capable as I may think I am. I need Jesus.

The accomplishment of Jesus' mission is dependent on my relationship with Jesus just like Jesus' ministry is totally dependent on his relationship with the Father. That's why Jesus prayed alone. I am called to faith and not fear if I am to enjoy fellowship with Jesus because faith overcomes all obstacles. Trust in and obedience to Jesus ensures my footing even upon the stormy waters of life. Thank God for his compassionate hand when my faith waivers and my footing is lost that rescues me from sinking altogether.

Lord, may I seek you day by day in prayer and solitude so that my faith may grow. Sustain me in my attempts to obey you. Hold me with your compassionate hand when all of life seems to fall apart.