Friday: Further Thought ~ Come to Me
Further Thought:
“When you find your work hard, when you complain of difficulties and trials, when you say that you have no strength to withstand temptation, that you cannot overcome impatience, and that the Christian life is uphill work, be sure that you are not bearing the yoke of Christ; you are bearing the yoke of another master.” — Ellen G.
Image @ Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
White, Child Guidance, p. 267.
“There is need of constant watchfulness and of earnest, loving devotion, but these will come naturally when the soul is kept by the power of God through faith. We can do nothing, absolutely nothing, to commend ourselves to divine favor. We must not trust at all to ourselves or to our good works; but when as erring, sinful beings we come to Christ, we may find rest in His love. God will accept every one that comes to Him trusting wholly in the merits of a crucified Saviour. Love springs up in the heart. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there is an abiding, peaceful trust. Every burden is light; for the yoke which Christ imposes is easy. Duty becomes a delight, and sacrifice a pleasure. The path that before seemed shrouded in darkness becomes bright with beams from the Sun of Righteousness. This is walking in the light as Christ is in the light.” — Ellen G. White, Faith and Works, pages 38, 39.
Discussion Questions:
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What's in it for me? Quiet rest sitting beside Jesus in comfort, while we put down our heavy backpack of troubles? It is a comforting message to us Christians. I learned the value of spiritual "time-out" during my days of heavy challenging study. The Sabbath rest was the respite that I needed to recharge my batteries. But, the challenge is, how do we pass on this experience to those who do not believe.
There comes a time when we have to get up from our comfortable rest and we need to carry the invitation to others. It is also a message about moving on. The promise is that Jesus is with us.
The primary passage of focus for this week’s lesson is Matthew 11:20-30.
Having explored various aspects of the concepts contained in this passage during the week, I would invite you to return to reflecting back on this passage again in its entirety.
The following is from ‘The Remedy’, which after doing my own research and investigation this week, I find to be an accurate paraphrase of Matthew 11:20-30 that is true to context.
I invite you to share your key reflection/observation in relation to this passage.
'Gentle and humble in heart' are characteristics of our God. So I must try to follow in this way. I also heard a definition of meekness today that likened it to grace, and I'm not sure I had heard or understood that before. Meekness tied to the strength and authority of Jesus makes it not a 'weak' thing - but a very powerful thing as I tap into/lean on Him for His power and wisdom to stay calm and focused in the face of daily assault. So I can give a reason to those that would ask and pray that God go with them and impress on both our hearts what needs done.
God has told His people to "be holy, for I am holy"(Lev 11:45, 1 Pe 1:16), and the apostle writes: "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord"(Heb 12:14). The final message to the world will be a call to this holiness(Rev 14:6-14).
This invitation in Matt 11:28-30 is how this take place. Jesus leaves us with the choice, as always.
Hello Phil,
I think Dr. Jennings may have missed an important aspect. Jesus is offering to exchange our burden for his, and the question is “What is his burden?” Implied in the passage is the idea that there is also an exchange of yokes. If we are not yoked (in tight relationship) with Jesus, then with whom are we yoked? It would be the Adversary. For this reason, it would be no wonder that we would be heavily burdened.
Just some thoughts.
Richard
Thanks Richard
I’d genuinely be interested in seeing how you would rewrite relevant verses to incorporate your suggestion if you are interested in going that next step.
Phil
We have been "talking" about resting in Jesus for about a month now. Taking his yoke upon us, learning of Jesus as well as the why because his yoke is easy and his burden is light. This conversation to me is similar to describing a beautiful cake to someone, then they ask the one remaining question, what does the cake taste like. I can only admit that I haven't a clue because I've never "tasted" the cake before. So the question is what does this yoke of Jesus "taste" like? In reflecting on my journey with Jesus I notice how, as I lean more and more on him, my responses to stressful situation mellowing, my sense of serenity increasing. Things that used to ruffle my feathers are less and less likely. For me it hasn't been a light switch, on and off. It's been more of a gradual process like the sun rising over the mountain or the ocean.
When it comes to the author's question of "In a practical way, how can we help those around us struggling with their burdens to come to Jesus and find rest?", that's my answer as to "why".
As to the how? I had someone ask me what did I have that allowed me to have this (lack of a better word) peacefulness about me in the midst of turbulence? My answer is taking on the yoke of Jesus. For me, the the meek and lowly in heart is a bonus of taking the yoke. In retrospect I see those attributes increasing without my participation.
Come to Me
Humans cant fix themselves. Because of sin, a lot of things happen to us that we never planned or anticipated. Some were born with physical defects or acquired it along the way whether self induced or way of life. Despite all of this, what is Jesus asking us to do?
How does a Christian understands the life that we are called to live in Jesus in spite of all the troubles, trials, worries, hardship, temptation, disappointments, etc. etc. that faces us everyday. Life is a constant struggle and Jesus is aware of such but he is saying 'come to me'.
As Christians when we realized our deficits, we keep close to Jesus for help at all times. We are disappointed when we walk away from him day unto day. Bible says Paul, despite he was so brilliant, he had a deficit. He approached Christ three times to remove the deficit. This was the reply- 2 Cor 12:9.
Is grace is sufficient. Today Christ calls us and is saying the same to us. We can overcome by his strength.
Whoever wants to comfort others, give hope to the hopeless and strength to the weak, particularly Elders, Pastors , Evangelists etc. needs to be strong at the feet of Jesus lest they are overcome by the devil. Jesus Himself has set an example for us to follow. In Mark 1: 35 we are told : And in the morning , rising up a great while before day , He went out , and departed into a solitary place , and there prayed. We need fresh supplies each morning from Jesus in order to supply others.
The Prophet Jeremiah says : Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters,and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought , neither shall cease from yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17 : 8, 9. (KJV ). From Jeremiah's experience we find that the secret of success is the union of Divine Power with human effort. Connecting to the source of power for unceasing supply of power and dispense it to the needy. And to the troubled this story might be of encouragement. A certain lady had anxious troubled heart and asked a Prophet to help her. That night the Prophet dreamed and she was walking in a garden with the lady and in the garden were thorns and thistles and roses and while the Prophet was gathering the roses smelling its fragrance and praising God, the lady was gathering the thorns and thistles and got pinned and anxious. The Prophet after her dream called the lady and told her this is who you are : You are always gathering sadness, troubles and complains when there are happiness, comfort , love, peace etc. If you change your attitude you will find happiness. The lady heeded the Prophets advise and got changed.
The question is, what's the garden? The garden is this World. This world is full of troubles, anxiety, you name it but there are also Roses. You can always find the Roses and praise God for them. You can also find the thorns and the thistles and complain. The choice is yours! Hence, Jesus' invitation : Come unto me , all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you , and learn of me ; for I am meek and lowly in heart : and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy , and my burden is light. Matthew 11 : 28 - 30. What an invitation ! Let us respond to it and see!
‘This is walking in the Light as Christ is in the Light’ – Ellen White’s quotation describes clearly how we ‘may rest in His love’, trusting in the Son’s completed task to have built the Way of Life by HIS Truth and HIS Light. We are asked to walk His Way by faith – “The path that before seemed shrouded in darkness becomes bright with beams from the Sun of Righteousness.”
These precious thoughts are inspired by the Holy Spirit’s Wisdom shared with us by Ellen White, the inspired follower of the Faith of Christ. The Author and finisher of our faith built the Way by His Light and Truth for the benefit of our Salvation; it is the Creator/Savior who bids us “Come to me”!
Comments, opinions to questions:
1 – When I became fully aware that my Salvation is worked out strictly between my Savior, my heavenly Father and me, then it was that I experience the most precious, liberating, exhilarating and at the same time humbling experience of my life – the awareness of having come Home!
2 - We experience, gain knowledge of God’s Grace as we humble ourselves and become like little children following the loving father’s teachings regarding righteous living. Being ‘wise and prudent’ in one’s own eyes hinders or outright prevents accepting the message pointing out the need for redemption from sin by a Savior.
3 – Knowing that I am the living example of the *Faith of Christ*, whatever the task, whatever the Spirit reveals, that is what I engage in. My basic premise is to be caring, inclusive and circumspect in all things; whatever I see, whatever I hear, whatever is speak, whatever I do, may it all be to the Glory of the heavenly Father.
4 – Choosing the disposition of meekness submits the ‘self-willed’ nature to the Will of God; by faith we hitch the re-birthing of our new nature to the yoke of His Righteousness - this is the aim of Christ Jesus’ call: “Come to me”!
Gal.2:16-21KJV – v.20 ”I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the Faith OF the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
My thought for the week:
John 16:33
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!
Inspiring comments in all the posts I just read. Keep them going--someone is being blessed. The rest that Christ is calling us to experience in and at his feet is a state of balance, absence of conflict within and without, and a harmony with God and others. We are at rest when our sins are forgiven and we are no longer on death row from the curse of sin. We are no longer aliens but part of the happy family of God. That is rest at its best for me.
Regarding question 4, I don't think being meek and lowly in Heart is about feeling bad about ourselves, nor do I think it's just about the cross and a feeling of gratitude and dependence, based on what Jesus has done. Jesus said that He was meek and lowly of heart, but I don't think He felt bad about Himself. It seems it's more about an attitude of sacrifice and service, which Jesus lived, both in His life and His death for us.
As for question 1, is there really a moment when we fully surrender? I think it's an ongoing process and involves different areas of our life at different times. If it was a one time full event, would we ever sin again?
I agree, the questioning in the study guide misleads on this point. Meek and lowly of heart is the opposite of pride and selfishness, which brings no rest "day or night".
This is how I read Question 4 - How would you answer a friend who said - Isn’t that bad for a person’s self-esteem? Shouldn’t we feel good about ourselves, especially someone who struggles with self-doubts anyway?
That puts a different spin on the question, and changes the answer.
The real question is "What is the basis of one's self-esteem or self worth - what other thinks of one or what the LORD thinks of one?