Sabbath: Jeremiah’s Yoke
Read for This Week’s Study: Jer. 16:1-13; Hos. 1:1-3; Jer. 27:1-18; Dan. 4:25; Jeremiah 28:1-17; 2 Tim. 4:3-4.
Memory Text: And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me
(Luke 9:23).
Image © Lars Justinen Goosalt.com
As we have already seen, God’s prophets preached not only through words but also through object lessons. At times the prophets had to live out the messages; it was another way to get the point across.
Thus, Jeremiah again was called to live out
the words he was to deliver. First, he had to wear a wooden yoke. Thus saith the Lord to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck
(Jer. 27:2). That had to have been a burdensome task, even under the best of circumstances; in this case, it became harder because a false prophet challenged what Jeremiah said. This week we can get a powerful look at truth and error contending for the hearts and minds of the people. We will see, too, how a message of grace can also be a false message.
Jeremiah also was forbidden to enter into mourning when others mourned and rejoicing when others rejoiced. In these cases, the point was to help the people realize what was coming because of their sins, and so to repent and obey, lessening the doleful consequence of their sinful actions.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, November 28.
(21)
No doubt there are those who join in hymns and church songs without contemplating the words, and thereby some have lent voice and harmony to errors without being conscious of it. However the first two lines in one hymn worth consideration ask, “Must Jesus bear the cross alone, and all the world go free?”
Surely there are some Christians who may be uncertain about the answer, and in their heart really do not mind if Christ should bear it all. There are enough challenges in a sinful world as it is, they may reason, that to add to the burden is an unwise step, and certainly the Savior would not place a load on those He came to free and save (John 8:36).
Yet in unequivocal terms Jesus states, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) Having many admirers the Messiah sought to separate out those who would die to self and submit to ridicule and hardship for His sake.
Jeremiah probably at times felt like he was being punished for crimes he was unaware of. His lot was bitter, and already denied certain comforts he would become a walking object lesson of bondage, bearing bonds and a yoke on his neck (Jeremiah 27:2-5). Still it was not too much to bear for Jehovah. Christ later bore a greater yoke, the cross of redemption (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Believers may have questions about particular hardships (2 Timothy 2:3), but this they may know it is the process of character refinement chosen by the Redeemer. The path of restoration to the image of God runs through self-denial and self-sacrifice (Luke 13:24). To decline is to quit on salvation. Jesus provided the pattern and says, “Follow me.” (Luke 14:26-33)
The songwriter answered the question plainly, “No, there's a cross for everyone, and there's a cross for me.” Jesus has weighed the cross for each and declared it manageable. With Jesus the yoke is easy and burden light (Matthew 11:29-30). The faithful joyfully bear the yoke of Christ.
Very well spoken, Hugh. I like the way you said, "The path of the restoration to the image of God runs through self-denial and self-sacrifice. To decline is to quit on salvation." This is a Biblical truth that many of God's people have lost sight of. Human wisdom is telling them that they are no longer under the law, and that all they have to do is just say this prayer and they're good to go with life as usual. Many have no idea of what self-sacrifice even means, nor the blessings that can come from it. Thus many see the cross of Christ as a burden, not a blessing.
What must understood is the fact that when these acts of self-denial are exercised in our life, carrying the cross of Christ becomes a desire (blessing). As you said, "The faithful joyfully bear the yoke of Christ."
yes jesus paid it all we agree
but we have to empty our hands of sin and all unrighteousness and stand up and take up our cross and follow him to be heirs of his righteousness.
revelation keeps on saying "he that overcomes" how can we overcome if we dont have a yoke
Christians have alot to do in preparation for chrit's coming. denial of worldly pleasure will help one under stand what Christ requires of him/her and lastly carry one's cross daily in order to reach salvation in reference to Jeremias work
Probably many have witnessed someone carrying a cross made out of 2X4's walking up and down a main street and maybe dressed in a white covering made like clothes worn by Jesus, as depicted by many artists. Obviously fulfilling the verse that you used in Luke 9:23. The first question that one might ask is what does the verse mean? To deny oneself can be described differently in many situations. Are we talking extremes such as living in a cave off the land while a city is not far away? Or,I am down to my last 50,000,000 and I will not attempt to get more? I am sure there are more realistic answers but we are all different and applications are equally as different. It mostly depends on how we understand a verse in order to apply it. What may be obvious to some may require a bit more thought for others.
Denying oneself is a hard task, but aslo necessary to truly follow the Lord. We have to get better at that.
Its amazing how God has depicted the times we are living and call them endtimes, calling.for our repentance but many are not hearing or accepting the call
For salvation. Jeremiah warned Israel of the coming woe but they harden there hearts and.sin.more. How much more are we willing to potray how Jesus self sacrifice mean for us? Imagine he left his glory just to save humankind.
Jesus is amazing, we need to get an all round picture of His character.
He said: take up your cross daily
He also said: I have come that they may have abundant joy
He only asks us to give what is not good for us so that He can give us what we really need to be "blessed/happy"
This memory verse reveals the only Remedy for the iron yoke of Babylon. We must each wear one of the two Yokes that will be worn by every member of the fallen race. One is heavy and oppressive, the other "easy, and...light". One we must choose, the other is by default if no conscious choice is made.