Most in attendance during Jesus' ministry likely had the ability to hear His ministering. While it can be interpreted literally, ideally Jesus' lessons spark our mind's curiosity. It is a great confirmation that God wants us thinking about what we are being taught regarding His word. Throughout Jesus' ministry, He found Himself surrounded by those that revered Him, but also those that wanted to condemn and kill Him. Regardless of their intention, Jesus spoke to teach all of those groups simultaneously.
Retrospectively, Jesus' intention is for those being taught to take-on His teachings, mirroring them with not only their speech, but in their lifestyle. As encouragement, we find several parables like "The Sower", written in more than one account.
3Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: 4and it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. 5And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: 6but when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 8And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. 9And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Mark 4:3-9 KJV
For this specific parable, Jesus will later go into better detail at the request of His disciples, also hoping to better understand the parable (read that here). However, pondering our own selves, we often lose focus of our purpose. However, pondering each day with/on the Bible can lead to a continuation of stepping closer to God. Seeking the 'why' we want to do 'X' ('X' being whatever you want it to be) often leads to growth, but it also seems to be a very important process when talking to God. Those moments of challenge seem like a method that allows us to sidestep a bit closer to Him during the process, but often may require a trimming or pruning of what is not to be a part of our life. A great self-evaluation from TD Jakes during this process is the question of, "Are you running from the problem [to the world], or running to God with the problem?"
Though we are often promised something or hear something similar from the world that seems close to some promises from Jesus, in part. When we search into those ideas, we often find that those found within this world do not fulfill the void in place that sent us searching for God - or as a friend says, "ya can't fill that God sized hole". While time has passed quite substantially since Jesus walked among His disciples in flesh, there were still people within the world during His time that tried to do what Jesus did. So many so, that a well-known Pharisee during the book of Acts (Paul's teacher before he becomes a Christian - read that here) tells others to give followers of Christ space, saying they will fail like those before.
34Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; 35and said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 36For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. 37After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. 38And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: Acts 5:33-38 KJV
Though the religious leaders of the time thought the followers of Jesus would start to fall by the wayside after His crucifixion, the disciples became trailblazers throughout the world as required of their paths with God. The beauty of the Bible is that it records their situation that shows a lot of their walk with faith. The walking with success and the miserable failures that continue to reassure their belief in God. Each person often finding themselves challenged by mobs, public leadership, or even religious leaders, yet they continue sharing the good news!
Though it may seem that with this self-examining we might only be aiming at ourselves, but contrary to what we tell ourselves, we can also use that examination to review ways to get better aligned with, or closer. Though we find ourselves sometimes within trials that seem overwhelming, those moments are oftentimes an opportunity (knowing we cannot do it alone) to get closer to God. So, while the weight of the world seems to push you to the ground, do not hold onto those challenges. Let them go and release them to the feet of God.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Mathew 11:28-30 KJV
If you are feeling the heavy burdens, Jesus is offering all of us rest. The initial verse is easily understood in what we just read, but it can also call to our hearts during this challenging life. If we are tired from this world, laboring and overburdened, God wants you to know that He will give you rest. The remaining verse reassures us, but this metaphor He is using above was very easily understood then, but maybe a little lost in time now.
The yokes are a reference to the equipment used when farming within that timeframe. Though it may seem a bit dated now due to technology, the reference still allows us to analyze what God is saying to us. Not only did the yoke referenced here allow the burden to be placed on the backs of working animals, it also allows for the sharing of the weight. So, while we get the reference that Jesus wants us to lay our burdens down to His feet, we may miss the notion that Jesus is willing to stand right next to us in the work of them, too. Even in the mud.
This verse continues to offer amazing confirmations to us from Jesus - a continuation from promises that line the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Rest for our souls! So, reach out to Him and get some rest!
If you would, please join me in a prayer:
“God, we thank You. Though we often get distracted, we thank you for allowing us this path back to You through Jesus. When we fall into the mud, help us see You there, ready to pick us up. If we see another getting stuck and trying to do it alone, encourage us to help them get their footing, just as You help us. Strengthen us in our weakness so that we can see more of Your great goodness within this world. Embolden us to steady our feet, our hands, our voice, our minds and our hearts as we hope to share good fruits of Your spirit. To the Father, in the name of His Son, Jesus, and thank you for the utterances and power of the Holy Spirt. Amen."
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