His Easy Yoke

…yet you did not return to me,” declares the Lord. (Amos 4:6)

…yet you did not return to me,” declares the Lord. (Amos 4:8)

…yet you did not return to me,” declares the Lord. (Amos 4:9)

…yet you did not return to me,” declares the Lord. (Amos 4:10)

…yet you did not return to me,” declares the Lord. (Amos 4:11)

His Easy Yoke

Everything that happens to God’s people happens to bring our attention, our devotion, and our love back to God where it belongs, ever since creation.  Particularly, chapter 4 of Amos’s book describes many things that happened to the people of God.  Troubles, trials, and tribulations.  Yet God notes, sadly, that they did not return to Him.

The pathway back to God, necessary ever since Adam’s rebellion, is hard.  That pathway involves humility, confession, profession, awareness, honesty, obedience, submission, and rejection of our own paths.

But there is an easier path… or as Jesus calls it, an easier yoke.

The Israelites needed the pathway of Jesus.  And God provided that path.  After failing century after century, the Messiah was THE way to return to God.  Everything else had been too hard, too painful, too impossible. 

God’s requirement has not changed.  The pathway to Him is exactly as it always has been.  It involves humility, confession, profession, awareness, honesty, obedience, submission, and rejection of our own paths.  And we cannot travel that pathway any more than the Israelites of Amos’s time could.

But the other path, the easy yoke, the Jesus Way is open before us, too.

But not because it is ‘another’ Way.  But rather, that Jesus takes the pathway for us.  HE is humble, takes our sins, causes our profession, is aware, is honest, obeyed, submitted, and follows Jahweh’s path… all the way to the cross, through the empty tomb, and to God’s right hand.

His easy yoke is necessary, and grand.

Too

Shamgar son of Anath came after Ehud. Using a cattle prod, he killed six hundred Philistines single-handed. He too saved Israel. (Judges 3:31 ESV)

Too

When the author of the book of Judges is what the judges did, he notes that Shamgar (and others) too saved Israel.

He writes this for two reasons.  First, there were a number of folk that God used during those tumultuous times to save Israel from enemies such as Moab, Canaan, Midian, and Philistia.  Each judge did amazing things, but then they died, and other one was needed to save Israel, too.

But the second reason is bigger.  Behind the scenes of every verse in the Bible is the Messiah, the Christ, the Word made flesh, Emmanuel.  And when each of those judges defeated God’s enemies, they did not do so alone. 

God Himself saved Israel.  But He used others of His servants to save Israel, too.

Not equal partners.  Not necessary additions to the power of God.  Not harnessed side by side as they fought for God’s truth.

But maybe (although it does not appear obvious in this verse and others like it), God is telling us that the Trinity saved Israel… and then almost like an afterthought… Shamgar did, too.

I am not meaning to belittle or insult the cattle prod wielding warrior. 

But no matter how skilled, brave, dangerous, and popular he was… he was a ‘too’ to the arm of Christ Jesus.

And this is true for us, too.

We are used by God to save His people… too.  We little Christs (Christians) speak His Words, demonstrate His love, follow His lead, do His acts, live for Him… too.

Without Him we aren’t anything.

With Him, we do His work, too.

Finally

Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, and the Lord raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud, the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. (Judges 3:15 ESV)

FINALLY

When I was a child my mom baked a particular Christmas Cookie.  It was a golfball-sized ball of a particular dough, covered lightly with powdered sugar.  They were my favorite cookie.

Years later, when my taste-memory started to demand one of those cookies, she did not remember what they were.  I did know the ingredients.  My mom tried to bake them again for me, but never got it quite (or even close to) right.

I sampled cookies that looked like my favorites for many years, without success.  Some cookies were similar, but they never had what was just right.  I tried so many for so long.  I had almost given up.  But I knew what I wanted.  I knew what I yearned for.  I knew what I needed.

Then recently I found those cookies again.  At Walmart. 

I finally found what I had yearned for, and attempted. With each attempt falling short.

Those imperfections along the way had given rise to clearer understanding of my search parameters.  Those failures along the way had not imbittered me, drawing anger against other cookies… those failures instead made me rejoice more deeply when I found the right cookies.

God’s people…  we need a King.  And the kings and leaders that Israel were given fell short.  But rather than pout at those failing judges, perhaps they learned to yearn for the Right King.  And when He was born, God-followers rejoiced.  People like Mary and Joseph, the Shepherds, the Magi, Simeon, and Anna said, like I did on Cookie Day… “FINALLY!!!”

And our failing leaders, in whatever sphere, give us the same opportunity.  When our kings, and presidents, and congressmen, and mayors, and counselors, and pastors, and elders, and parents, and bosses fail us… look again to the King God gives us, and say again and again, “FINALLY.”

Jesus is the leader we need, and finally have.

Personal

When God, your God, throws the nations out of the country that God, your God, is giving you and you settle down in their cities and houses, you are to set aside three easily accessible cities in the land that God, your God, is giving you as your very own. Divide your land into thirds, this land that God, your God, is giving you to possess, and build roads to the towns so that anyone who accidentally kills another can flee there. (Deuteronomy 19:1-3 ESV)

Personal

The God of the universe is not, for Christians, a far-off all-powerful being. 

The God of the universe is not, for Christians, a god who does not know us.

The God of the universe is not, for Christians, impersonal, irrelevant, or ignorant of us.

Notice the repeated phrase in these verses.  It actually shows up more strongly in Hebrew.  God is not merely a God, He is your God.  God is not merely a nation-moving powerhouse.  He is your God.  God is not merely a provider for the world.  He is your God.

But not because of how desirable we are.   Not because of our value as skilled members of His team.  Not because He needs us.

But only because of Jesus.

Jesus, though His life, and death, and life, bridges the gap.  And He is the only bridge.

Jesus, through His life, and death, and life, gives us relationship with God.  And He is the only Way.

Jesus, through His life, and death, and life, makes God personal to us, and us to Him.  And Jesus is that person that makes Him personal.

Adoption

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. (I John 3:1 ESV)

Adoption

I’ve had reason lately to think about adoption.  While I was blessed greatly by the parenting of my mom and dad, I was sometimes a little jealous of my younger brother.

He was adopted.

And occasionally it struck me that my parents were stuck with me.  Abortion not being an option, I was unexpectedly conceived and was born to my loving folks.

But my adopted brother… was chosen, and was parented by our parents almost because they went out of their way to welcome him to our family.

We are adopted children of God.

Without that adoption, we would remain outside of His family.  We would not be chosen by Him, loved by Him, provided for by Him, and redeemed by Him.

And that fantastic adoption only happened because of our brother, Jesus Christ.

Without His sacrifice, without His transference of familial relationship, without His embracing of us through His love, we would not be God’s children.

Jesus is necessary for our necessary adoption.

Humility

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, (Philippians 2:4-6 ESV)

Humility

I once had a conversation with an honest arrogant man.  He declared that he wanted to be humble, that he knew that he should be humble, that he could see that being humble would give rise to blessings.  But he said:

“I just can’t do it.  I can’t be humble.”

It IS hard to be humble.

But perhaps if that man had better understood Jesus, he might have been able to grasp humility.

Jesus Himself, alone among people, had every right to be proud, arrogant, and self-centered.  But instead He chose humility.  He chose to put the interests of others above His own.

And we can follow Him.  He gives us His example.  And He empowers us to imitate Him.  No one else, nothing else, no other way gives His people an avenue to amazing humility.

I know it is amazing because Jesus did it.  I know it is a blessing because Jesus did it.  I know it is admirable because Jesus did it.

Jesus alone did it.

And only with our eyes only on Him, can we be humble.

Choices

And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. (Joshua 24:15 ESV)

Choices

My dog does not always want to go outside when I ask him the phrase, “wanna go outside?”  But he is trained.  He sulks, walks slowly, and finally stands ready for me to open the door.  It SEEMS like I am asking him a question, but I am not really giving him a choice.

He is just a dog.

And while King Jesus has every right to demand that we do what HE wants us to do, He surprisingly gives us a choice. 

But Jesus is amazingly kind and understanding.

Predestination aside, Jesus gives us choices.

Not because we can outsmart Him, or out guess Him, or out maneuver Him…

Not because we know more than HE does what is best for us…

Not because we have some power over Him that He bows to in giving us choices…

But because He is THAT powerful, THAT loving, THAT wise, and THAT undemanding…

The Israelites were given choices… and the choices they made did not turn out as they expected.  Yet their choices led to the Messiah, sin’s defeat, death’s end, and the Kingdom of God being fully manifested.

Jesus shows His power by giving us choices that no one else would or does.

Jesus shows His love by giving us choices that no one else would or does.

Jesus shows His providence by giving us choices that no one else would or does.

He alone gives us freedom, and guarantees that our freedom will lead us to Him.

Endurance

For the day of the Lord is great and very awesome; who can endure it? (Joel 2:11 ESV)

Endurance

Our windchill was negative 21 degrees. 

Driving and RV through a Colorado pass one winter, I lost visibility for nearly 30 minutes.

DeAnne and I were both unemployed in the months leading up to our wedding.

While doing touristy things with a friend in Sydney, Australia, we ended up walking after dark through a druggie-occupied, high-murder spot.

I survived them all.

Statistically, these were dangerous situations.  But I am Christ’s adopted sibling. 

There is no guarantee that I wouldn’t have had tragic harmful results in those situations.  BUT there is a guarantee that Jesus (as well as the other persons of the Trinity) is it work in my life and the world in the exact way that I needed.

The prophet Joel describes a horrific invasion aimed at God’s people in his day.  When he asks, “who can endure it?”  he knows the answer.

God’s people can endure.  And God’s people will endure.

And that endurance is what Jesus guarantees us.  That endurance is what Jesus alone guarantees.  That endurance is what Jesus alone guarantees because only He is powerful enough, loving enough, knows enough, and is present enough to enable us to endure.

We do not endure through our knowledge, skill, or devotion.  It is all Him.  If the verb tense would let us, we could say, in fact, that Jesus endures us.

Winning

What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. (Philippians 1:18 ESV)

Winning

I once gave my allowance (an amazing 25 cents back then!) to an annoying neighborhood girl.  She had been following me around for days, and I wanted her to leave me alone.  In desperation, I gave her my allowance so she would toddle off to the local corner store. 

My mother observed, and praised me for my generosity.  But she was incorrect.  I was not generous.  My donation to Roxanne while on the surface commendable, had utterly selfish motivation.

Our motivations are often less than stellar.  Even when we perform a kind act, it is often for personal gain.  Even when we help someone, we maneuver for praise.  Even when we act unselfishly, we do it for selfish reasons.

But do not despair.

Because one of the amazing things Christ does is take our poor offerings, and use them for His glory.  No matter our poor efforts, unwilling choices, or selfish motivations, our King Jesus will still win.  His Kingdom comes.  His will is done.

In no other relationship or situation do our failures get turned into victories.   But Jesus does that for us, in us, through us, and in spite of us.

His gracious and merciful forgiveness actually extends to using our sinfulness to accomplish His amazing plans.

He always wins.  And He pulls us along with Him.

Ally

And he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will help you.  Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to Him.” (I Chronicles 19: 12,13 ESV)

Ally

In warfare, it is good to have an ally.  King David’s two commanders agreed to help each other, if needed, in Israel’s war against the Ammonites and the Syrians.  Alone, each would have failed, but a trustworthy ally bolstered their confidence, and the battle was won.

Interestingly, we might deduce that since the Lord did what seemed good to Him… it seemed good to the Lord to use allies to help.

We might not be fighting dastardly Ammonites, and treacherous Syrians, but we do fight God’s enemies.  And like David’s commanders, we look for allies. 

The most reliable of all allies, the most helpful of all helpers, the most sure source of assistance is our sacrificial Lord, Christ Jesus.

In whatever area we need help, Jesus will not forsake us.

In whatever struggle we hurt, Jesus is with us.

In whatever battle we fight, Jesus is our ally.

No other ally is loving enough, strong enough, able enough, or willing enough.

Christians need an ally.  And we have one.

Enthusiasm

And as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart. (I Chronicles 15:29 ESV)

Enthusiasm

We do not know much about Michal.  She might have been a kind, loving wife to David.  But at the least, there is one area she fell short.

She mocked his enthusiasm.

I once performed a Kenny Rogers song in front of my school.  I did it a little humorously, and it seemed that everyone was laughing in a pleasant way.  Later I found out that they were laughing because I was over-enthusiastic in my presentation.

I have a friend who snorts when she laughs.  We do not mean to, but whenever the group is laughing, we end up laughing at her wild nostril noises.

When cameras scan a sporting event’s audience, the camera seems to find those fans who are most enthusiastic, even to the point of silliness.

We frequently mock enthusiasm.  And we therefore push down creativity, honest reactions, and open emotions.  Perhaps particularly in worship.

But Jesus never mocks our enthusiasm for Him.

He rejoices at our unabashed worship.  He is pleased when we worship Him with all our heart, all our mind, and all our soul.

It is good that He is so worthy of our worship… because only He will gladly receive it.

Patience

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (II Peter 3:9 ESV)

Patience

I am not patient with my dog.  Not always.

I am not patient with other drivers.  Not always.

I am not patient with the weather.  Not always.

I am not patient with my own imperfections.  Not always.

But Jesus is.

My pets are not patient with me.  Not always.

Other drivers are not patient with me.  Not always.

The weather is not patient with me.  Not always.

My faults, errors, and sins are not patient with me.  Not always.

But Jesus is.

We need someone to be patient with us, demonstrate patience for us, teach us patience, and protect us from our own impatience.

Only Jesus does those things.

Weekly News

1)      Second Sunday Dinner this week at Jubilee!

2)      Burns Night Approaches!  This is a fundraiser for our Church, and to assist in priming the pump, we are asking for donations with which to purchase ingredients.  Please let Tom know, or bring donations Sunday or Wednesday.

Here is the link for ordering meals and food items!

https://forms.gle/qoMbzk1RRjyHECCj8

Reminders

Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.  I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, (I Peter 1:12,13 ESV)

Reminders

I have a prayer meeting with some fellow elders in my denomination every Thursday at noon.  It is in my head.  It is in my calendar.  Sometimes it is in my heart.  But I forget it far more often than I remember it.

In moments of immaturity, I have complained that no one reminds me.  If THEY sent me a text, or an email, or a phone call on Tuesday or Wednesday, I would remember.

But they can not reasonably do that.  They are busy.  They are trying to remember, themselves!  And, without angst or whining, they simply do not love me enough in the way that would make them that dedicated to my schedule.

But Jesus reminds of the things He wants me to know.

He has taught me in His Word.  He has taught me through His Spirit.  He has taught me through life’s experiences.  He has taught me through the words of others.

Jesus might be justified in expecting me to not need reminding.

But I do.

And He alone has the love, the fortitude, the patience, the power, the eager willingness, and the knowledge to remind me.  Repeatedly.

Jesus is necessary to remind me of His truth. 

First

In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, (Luke 12:1 ESV)

First

As a teenager, I enjoyed movies in the theater.  But as a human teenager, I was selfish, greedy, and pushy.  My friends and I, after arriving in the theater, would casually make our way to the front of the line.  We assumed no one noticed our stealthy moves, but they probably were just more polite than we were.

Being first is kind of nice. 

There is one situation where we Christians are always first:  In the mind and heart of our Savior, Christ Jesus.  Yes, Jesus brings His Word to the world, but it first has come to us.  Yes, Jesus acts for the safety and wellbeing of all people, but first, He cares for us.  Yes, Jesus blesses the world with rain, seasons, and peace.  But first, He blesses us.

It might not make logical mathematical sense, but with Jesus, each of us are always somehow first.  He loves us individually.  He died for us individually.  He provides for us individually.

But not because we are so desirable.  No, we are first in His line because of HIM.  It is His grace, His mercy, His transformation of us into His siblings that makes us first.

So it is not a braggy thing, like my friends at the theater.

It is an awe-ful, humble, dependent thing.

What does Jesus do for us?  He makes us first, after Him.

Anxiety

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because He cares for you. (I Peter 5:6,7 ESV)

Anxiety

Many people have obvious reasons to worry.  Health concerns, financial concerns, family concerns, relationship concerns, political concerns, past concerns, present concerns, future concerns, intellectual concerns, physical concerns, emotional concerns, spiritual concerns… and more!

And we have many helps available in our toolbox.  Our governments offer help.  Our education is a path towards help.  Our families want to help.  Our culture and society exist to help.  Our neighbors might help.  Our friends might help.  Our hobbies might help.  Our habits might help.

But everything will, at some point, let us down.

Only Jesus helps.  Only Jesus connects us to the One True God of the Universe.  Only Jesus loves us enough to live for us, die for us, and live again for us.  Only Jesus is all powerful and all understanding.  Only Jesus knows us, what we need, and how to help us. 

All of that is encompassed in the phrase, “He cares for you.”

The only way to overcome anxieties is to fill life with more Jesus.  Everything else lets us down.

Jesus is necessary.

Humility

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (I Peter 5:6,7 ESV)

Humility

I have a friend who is a fantastic guitar player.  I have played the guitar for many years, and have steadily improved.  I can play most styles, improvise, accompany, and solo.  Sometimes I feel a bit of pride for my guitar skills.  And you might think I have reason to be proud.

But when I hear my friend play, all pride crashes to the mud.

HE is a great guitar player.  As good as I think I am, his skill overshadows mine.  As good as I think I am, he plays circles around me.  As good as I think I am, he teaches me every time I hear him play.

There is always someone better than we are.

We are commanded by God to seek to be humble.

And that is hard.   Because sometimes we are very good at things. 

Humility is something we learn best at the feet of Jesus.  Because HE is the best, the most worthy, perfect, admirable, copyable, an example to follow in every righteous area of life.

Having Jesus in your life allows us to be humble.  When we start feeling pride, whether because of an act of kindness, patience, obedience, or even humility, think about Jesus for a moment.  As good as we think we are, He is more.  Infinitely more.

And the best part is that comparing ourselves to Jesus, while leading to humility, also gives us joy.

Because we get to think about Him.

His greatness does not make us jealous.  We can easily be humbled by Him, because His yoke is easy.  Saying, “Jesus is perfect” does not lead us to low self esteem.

Jesus is the only One who can teach us humility like that.

Authority

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,  and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. (Luke 9:1-2 ESV)

Authority

I was a youth pastor and took a bunch of teens to play capture the flag in a large warehouse, managed by a member of our church.  In the midst of the crawling, dart-shooting, climbing, and capturing of flags, a security guard found us, and asked me what we were doing there.

I did not tell him that the group had voted, and decided to play our game in his factory.  I did not tell him that since many of us had purchased products from this company, we had the right to be playing there.  I did not tell him that since we outnumbered him, and obviously possessed ninja-type skills, he should just leave us alone.

Instead, I gave him a signed letter from the manager, who had given me authority to be there late that night.

Christians have authority to do what Jesus has commanded and commissioned us to do.  We work for Him.  And since He is the owner, protector, and redeemer of His Kingdom and creation, He is in charge of everything.

Christ Jesus gave the disciples, and gives US, authority to be doing His work.  The disciples’ jobs were to cast out demons, cure diseases, proclaim God’s Kingdom, and to heal.  Our jobs might be a bit different.  But our authority comes from the same place.  It comes from Jesus.

And anyone working without HIS authority is a tyrant, usurper, rebel, and trespasser.

Whether you are a teacher, a salesperson, a housewife, an engineer, a medical professional, a student, a parent, a child, a grandparent, a gardener, a McDonald’s clerk, a politician, a civil servant, or a Walmart greeter… you actually work for the One who gives you authority… Jesus.

That authority is necessary for peace, prosperity, success, hope, and joy.

Unconditional Love

Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. Yet the Lord set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day. (Deuteronomy 10:14,15 ESV)

Unconditional Love

The kind of love we humans are used to is conditional love.  We stop loving a spouse, often, when they are cruel, unfaithful, or unlovely.  We stop loving parents when they utterly fail us.  We stop loving a child when the disappointment becomes overwhelming.  

Even when we know we should continue to love, sometimes we do not.

God’s love of His people, though, is absolutely unconditional.

No matter our sin, He forgives.  No matter our rebellions, He welcomes. No matter our selfishness, He gives.

But only because God sent Jesus.

The Lord loves us because of Jesus.

The Lord forgives us because of Jesus.

The Lord welcomes us because of Jesus.

The Lord gives to us because of Jesus.

JESUS is the condition for God’s love.

And that is a most necessary thing.

Requirements

And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good? (Deuteronomy 10: 12.13 ESV)

Requirements are not suggestions.  If my boss requires me to work 40 hours before he pays me, he is not likely to pay me if I only work 15.  If my car maintenance requires regular oil changes, my car is not likely to run well if I never change the oil.  If good guitar playing requires practice, my music is not likely to be impressive or beautiful if I never practice.

And none of those examples are real requirements.

But when God Himself requires something, it is guaranteed that He requires it.

These verses show us that fearing the Lord, walking in His ways, loving Him, and serving Him completely are God’s requirements.

And we do not do those things consistently, eagerly, reliably, or often.

We do not meet God’s requirements.

And for God’s people, that is where Jesus comes in.

For Christians, Jesus meets those requirements for us!

God is satisfied by Christ’s obedience on our behalf.  God is pleased to let Christ meet our failed requirements.  And no one else can do that for us.

That is why Jesus is necessary.  Without Him, we can not meet God’s requirements.  But WITH Him, we are justified, adopted, sanctified, and glorified.