HOPE ALIVE IN THE NOW 12/16-22
12/16- Comfort Now for those Suffering- “Comfort, Comfort you my people.” Mt. 11:28-30
12/16- Comfort Now for those Suffering- “Comfort, Comfort you my people.” Mt. 11:28-30
28“Come to
Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 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. 30“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Mt. 11:28-30)
Thoughts: Jesus came to comfort the afflicted and afflict the
comfortable. He wants to soothe those
who are being overwhelmed by the problems of life- bodily sickness, hatred,
legalism, bigotry, selfishness and pride of all kinds. It was only the self-righteous (which can
also be a kind of pride and selfishness) that He afflicted.
How did He comfort? With the answer of hope (hope fulfilled) and the promise of hope. Jesus actually healed people who were sick. In those days He did it simply through prayer. Today He uses prayer but also medicines and the doctor’s hands. Many healings that come from medicine are an answer to prayer- insight given to researchers, and using materials God has made in the right way. Some of these are answers to prayer from many a mother over her child.
But there is another, even deeper way He heals- healing our soul. This healing doesn't wait until after we die. When we come to Him- we find rest for our soul. We find our hearts true home. We find power to overcome our selfishness and power to turn the other cheek and love our enemies (even if they might be our relatives- coming for Christmas). He helps us pull our weight. The image given here is of an oxen yoke. There are places for two oxen. He comes alongside us as the larger power to help us pull our way through the problems of life. He makes our yoke- our burden light by heling us. We rely on Him and follow His lead. We come to Him, but He- by His grace- invites us to come.
How did He comfort? With the answer of hope (hope fulfilled) and the promise of hope. Jesus actually healed people who were sick. In those days He did it simply through prayer. Today He uses prayer but also medicines and the doctor’s hands. Many healings that come from medicine are an answer to prayer- insight given to researchers, and using materials God has made in the right way. Some of these are answers to prayer from many a mother over her child.
But there is another, even deeper way He heals- healing our soul. This healing doesn't wait until after we die. When we come to Him- we find rest for our soul. We find our hearts true home. We find power to overcome our selfishness and power to turn the other cheek and love our enemies (even if they might be our relatives- coming for Christmas). He helps us pull our weight. The image given here is of an oxen yoke. There are places for two oxen. He comes alongside us as the larger power to help us pull our way through the problems of life. He makes our yoke- our burden light by heling us. We rely on Him and follow His lead. We come to Him, but He- by His grace- invites us to come.
Prayer: Lord, come alongside me this advent. Come alongside my family. As we get busy and as we try to fulfill
obligations, help us set our priorities making the seeking of you our first
priority.
Song: #123 And ye, beneath life’s crushing load, Whose forms are bending
low, Who toil along the climbing way With painful steps and slow, Look now! for
glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing. O rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing!
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