The Yoke of Love

~~~ Isaiah 26:7-9, 12, 16-19 ~~~ Psalm 102 ~~~ Matthew 11:28-30 ~~~

Just recently we had this same Gospel

about coming to Jesus for he will give us rest.

The church must feel it is so important for us to believe this truth.

Next Jesus says...

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me...

What does this mean?

What is a yoke?

How is it possible for us to take on the yoke of Jesus?

Would not the burden be too great for us?

Why would he even suggest this idea?

A yoke is literally a band, something that binds.

To accept the yoke of Jesus is to be bound together with him.

Not such a bad idea when one is carrying a heavy burden.

To take the yoke of Jesus, to be bound with him,

 means that you go wherever he goes.

You are not in charge, rather you let Jesus take over your life.

If we believe that Jesus is love then it should follow

 that his yoke would be the yoke of love.

If we take the yoke of Jesus we are taking the better part of ourselves.

Jesus is binding us to all of his goodness.

We are attached...we are safe.

He would never lead us into danger.

Jesus would not call us to himself in this manner

 other than to relieve our stress.

Parents often must impose tough love on their children;

is this what Jesus is suggesting?

This may be his version of tough love; 

to give him our burdens in exchange

for binding ourselves to him.

If one cries out 'woe is me' they have either ignored

 or refused this invitation for Jesus.

If we accept his yoke, just being bound

 to him will indeed bring us rest.

To some love may be a burden, 

but how could we possibly go on without love?

To take on the yoke of Jesus means to let go

 of your selfish inclinations.

Being so closely bound to Jesus gives us a one on one,

face to face opportunity to learn from him.

Bound to Jesus is not hard...it cannot be a burden.

Accept his yoke.

Be Blessed along the way.

~~~Peace~~~

Are Your Feet Dusty?

~~~ Hosea 11:1-4, 8E-9 ~~~ Psalm 80 ~~~ Matthew 10:7-15 ~~~

Although these words were spoken by God about Israel
I find them meaningful for us today too.

I drew them with human cords,

with bands of love...

It is not the heavy yokes of our burdens...

it is not the chains of our sinfulness...

God draws us with kindness and love.
God draws us with flesh and blood.
His blood and the blood of his mother, Mary.

Jesus is like the umbilical cord connecting us to God our Father.

Without the umbilical cord the developing embryo would not

be able to grow...there would be no nourishment.

With no life line of blood the fetus will die.

So it is with God he draws us with bands of love

to be near him is to have nourishment and life.

My heart is overwhelmed...

How can we not be overwhelmed
at the great love God has for us, his people.
God sent Jesus to live among us to show us
the very human cord of his love.
Jesus, surrounded by the Father's love draws us into his circle...
into his compassionate heart.

Whenever we meet opposition toward this God of love
we must not condemn; instead we must say
a prayer for the person...

 ...shake the dust from your feet.

and move on.

You cannot be static with God in your life.
You cannot be content with how many people agree with you.
You cannot stop moving on...you cannot remain stuck in the past.

Shaking the dust from your feet is leaving behind
 that which does not bring you into a closer relationship with God.

Leaving behind with compassion, as opposed to
bitterness and hatred.

Shaking the dust off is almost a peaceful action.
I do not consider shaking to be a violent.
There are many times in our life
where it is best to be able to 'shake off the dust' and move on.

Perhaps this is how we should consider forgiveness.

The little things we hold on to would be easier to release
 when they are like tiny specks of dust.

Keep walking and let God love through you...

Today I invite you to 'shake off the dust'.
Whatever you need to let go of now is the time.
Don't let the dust become dry hardened mud.

I dare you to let your heart be overwhelmed
with God's great love for you.

Let him Bless you with his human cords
and his perfect bands of love.

~~~ Peace~~~