Genesis 34:1-31; Matthew 11:20-30; Psalms 15:1-5; Proverbs 6:20-26
NT: “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 infants. Yes, Father, because this was your good pleasure. All things have been entrusted 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 desires to reveal him. Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”” (Matthew 11:25-30 CSB)
People try to reason their way into an understanding of God’s kingdom and even God Himself. They come up with theories based on their experiences and the things they have come to believe, and end up making an image that they are willing to worship and call the image “the God I know”, or “my Jesus.” God revealed the Son through His word, and God the Father is only revealed and understood through the Son. If our understanding of God’s will and ways is not firmly founded on the Word and revealed to us by the Son through the Holy Spirit, then we don’t really understand God and are following, to some degree, a manufactured idol. So Jesus says, “Come to Me.” And unlike the religious leaders of the day… instead of loading down already weary people with religious requirements too burdensome to carry, Jesus says, “I will give you rest.” The endless striving for righteousness ends when you come to Me. Take My yoke… harness yourself to me… join yourself with My strength, My endurance, My knowledge, My understanding… learn from Me – and you will find rest for your souls. Stop striving… stop trying to make things happen… stop trying to form God into what you want Him to be… stop blindly trying to find your way through life. Humble yourself as a completely dependent infant who can do nothing for himself, and come to Me.
Psalms: “Lord, who can dwell in your tent? Who can live on your holy mountain? The one who lives blamelessly, practices righteousness, and acknowledges the truth in his heart — who does not slander with his tongue, who does not harm his friend or discredit his neighbor, who despises the one rejected by the Lord but honors those who fear the Lord, who keeps his word whatever the cost, who does not lend his silver at interest or take a bribe against the innocent — the one who does these things will never be shaken.” (Psalms 15:1-5 CSB)
First, juxtapose this list against the list of 7 things that God despises from Proverbs 6. These are the things that God honors. Secondly, the only way that someone can truly live blamelessly (innocent, integrous, complete) and practice righteousness is to come to Jesus, “yoke up” with Him, and follow Him. Otherwise you will spend your life trying to earn your way into God’s presence and always falling short.
Proverbs: “My son, keep your father’s command, and don’t reject your mother’s teaching. Always bind them to your heart; tie them around your neck. When you walk here and there, they will guide you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; when you wake up, they will talk to you. For a command is a lamp, teaching is a light, and corrective discipline is the way to life.” (Proverbs 6:20-23 CSB)
Rejecting God’s words, refusing Jesus offer to teach you as you follow Him, resenting Jesus yoke of gentle corrections – that leads to darkness and death. Listening to the Father’s commands, receiving Jesus teaching, and binding yourself to Jesus by taking His yoke – that leads to eternal light and life.
Jamie Hicks 