Hope Found in the Here and Now

HOPE ALIVE IN THE NOW 12/16-22
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. 

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!

He lightens our Burden

28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Thoughts: Truth is, part of being human is that we grow weary and become burdened.  We all yearn for real satisfying rest.  But the best satisfaction in life does not come from any human accomplishment, but from the God who made the earth and also makes rest.  Marx says we are designed to work.  But we are also designed to rest.  We must sleep.  If we deprive ourselves of sleep, all kinds of health issues occur.  The rhythm of life- where work, rest, and sleep occur is important.  But Jesus offers us inner rest and inner peace.  Life is not just about excitement and achievement.  Inner peace that Jesus offers not only gives us a breath, it also motivates us.  Christ keeps us form being so tightly wound that we cannot enjoy life.
   The idea of "take my yoke upon you" is a bit hidden from us today.  An ox yoke usually was a double yoke for two oxen. Often a lead ox will do the main pulling and a student ox would learn (as in picture below).  Jesus is saying He will be pulling alongside us bearing the brunt of the load.  He is the gentle, humble ox who quietly helps us even when we don't realize it.  He lightens our burden and takes the edge off of our weary and burdened life.  

Prayer: Lord, I come to you.  You are my source of rest, peace, and help me to carry on.