Month: February 2016

All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. Matthew 11:29 HCSB

The reference of a yoke in this verse describes a harness that was placed around the neck and shoulders of one or more oxen to connect them to a wagon or plow. Often the yoke was made out of wood and the carpenter would have to make the harness fit the animal. If it did not fit well, the wood would rub blisters and raw spots on the skin of the animal.

Jesus is using the yoke as an illustration of what He requires of people. His requirements are like a yoke that fits well and easy for the animal to pull the load or do the work that is required. Just as a yoke that fits well is gentle, Jesus is gentle and humble in heart. Just as the animal pulls a heavy load, many people are burdened with the heavy load they are carrying of sin, oppression, persecution, and even weariness in search for meaning in life. Jesus can and will help cary the burdens of life.

Challenge: Jesus frees people from the many trials and tribulations in life. The rest that Jesus promises is the love and peace of God. It is not the end of work but rather a real relationship with God. Thank God for the easy yoke He has provided for you.

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 HCSB

As a former student pastor I have participated in more “Lock-in” and “all-nighter” events than I wish to remember. I can recall taking hundreds of teenagers to the local YMCA to spend the night swimming and playing racquetball and basketball along with a variety of other activities. Of course there was plenty of pizza, cookies, chips, and soda. When I finished those events, the only thing I longed to do was go home and get some rest. I was tired and fatigued and my body needed to recuperate.

Our bodies are designed to need rest and relaxation every day. When Jesus said, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened,” He was not talking about someone who had just been a part of an “all-nighter”. Rather, He was referring to the many demands and expectations imposed upon the people by the religious leaders. The Pharisees required the people to follow difficult rules and regulations as the way to salvation. These rules were a burden to the people because there was no way they could keep them. Jesus offered forgiveness of sin and salvation without having to keep any rules. The people only had to believe and trust Him. His ways are easy. We can truly rest when we stop worrying and trust Jesus to take care of any problems or burdens we are experiencing.

Challenge: Are you exhausted and feel like the pressures of life are crushing in on you? Jesus wants all who are struggling to come to Him. In Him you can find peace and rest. Only He can give you what you need.

All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son desires to reveal Him. Matthew 11:27 HCSB

When I was younger I witnessed a crime. I saw a man tearing up a house, breaking fixtures, knocking holes in the walls, and tearing cabinets off the wall. The police came to my house and showed me several pictures of men. I was to pick out the man that I saw committing the crime. I did not know the man, but I recognized him in the photos that were presented to me.

The word “know” has a greater meaning in Jesus’ day than it does to us and our English language. The word “know” indicated an intimate or close relationship. To know someone meant to know them well and understand their thoughts and feelings, much like a close friend or spouse. Jesus indicated in this verse that He and His Father had a very close relationship and that the only way anyone could “know” the Father was through Him. Jesus chooses to reveal His Father to those who believe in Him and have trusted Him as Lord and Savior.

Challenge: It is through Jesus Christ that we can “know” the Father. Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? As believers, how fortunate we are that Jesus has revealed the Father to us and we can “know” Him. Thank God that you can have a close relationship with Him. You can know His truths and ways to an abundant life.

At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to infants.” Matthew 11:25 HCSB

There are well-known people in our world who seem to have attitudes of pride. They take every opportunity to exclaim what they have accomplished, where they have been, how much money they possess, and how much power they have achieved. An attitude of humility is far from their thinking. Often these people are very gifted and they may be eloquent in speech, but the absence of humility seems to overshadow their skills and abilities.

In this verse Jesus mentions two types of people – the wise and learned and infants. The wise and learned are arrogant and believe they are great in their own minds while the infants are like children who are open and trusting and have a humble attitude.

Challenge: Are you wise in your own eyes? Come to Christ with a childlike faith. Be open to His truths and have a humble attitude. Only God is all-knowing and has all of the answers to life problems so through Him we can experience the abundant life that He desires for each of us. Pray that you will have a humble spirit and childlike faith.

Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes long ago! But I tell you it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. Matthew 11:20-21 HCSB

One of the principles I taught my children as they were growing up was that good choices would result in rewards and benefits, while poor choices would result in penalties and judgment. Life is filled with choices. Every day we see people who make bad choices and face the judgment of a jury and a judge.

The towns of Tyre and Sidon were known for their wickedness (see Genesis 18-19 and Ezekiel 27-28) Each was destroyed by God for their sins and evildoings. God is a God of love and mercy but He is also a God of justice and must punish sin. He is a Holy and Righteous God and cannot allow the unholiness and corruption of mankind to continue without punishment. The cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida had seen Jesus and experienced His miracles, but they refused to believe that Jesus was the Son of God.

Challenge: We live in a country where there seems to be a church on every corner and every house has a Bible. There is no excuse for the lack of belief. Everyone will face judgment someday. We all have the opportunity to be saved from judgment and have eternal life through repentance and faith in Jesus. Have you repented of your sins and asked Jesus to be the Lord of your life? Woe to you if you are like the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida. There is still time to repent and believe.

Jesus sent out these 12 after giving them instructions: “Don’t take the road leading to other nations, and don’t enter any Samaritan town. Instead, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, announce this: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, drive out demons.” You have received free of charge; give free of charge. Matthew 10:5-8 HCSB

The final command of Jesus as He ascended into heaven was, “Go and make disciples.” That is still the command He gives to all of His disciples –“Go”. We are to go and announce that the kingdom of heaven is near. The good news is that Jesus has already started making His kingdom here on earth in the hearts and minds of believers. Someday He will return to earth and He will establish His kingdom where there will be no more pain, suffering, or death.

Jesus sent out His disciples to preach the Good News, to heal the sick, raise the dead, and drive out demons. We do not have a record of what the disciples were able to do, but I suspect that they did all of those things that Jesus had commanded them to do, including raising people from the dead. Jesus wanted them to learn that through Him they had the same power to do all they had seen Him do. This would later give them confidence as they faced persecution and trials when they made a stand for their faith in Jesus Christ.

Challenge: God is still commanding believers to “Go”. Where has God called you to go? To your next door neighbor? To the person working next to you? To a family member who needs to know Christ? Go and share the Good News of Jesus Christ with someone this week.

Summoning His 12 disciples, He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness. Matthew 10:1 HCSB

At a young age I struggled with what God wanted me to do with my life. Every year I changed my major while in college, seeking to find just the right place for me. In the summer between my junior and senior year in school, I reluctantly went with my parents to a Family Enrichment Conference. At that conference I felt God’s call on my life to become a youth minister. I returned home with a desire to change my major one more time. I graduated with a Social Science degree and went on to seminary and earned a Masters Degree in Religious Education. Over the last 40 years I have followed God’s call on my life. There have been times when I have been discouraged and even wanted to quit, but the call of God has always given me the strength to do what was required.

Jesus called His disciples together and gave them authority and instructions to go and minister to the people of Israel. Jesus gave His disciples His power. They did not have the power and authority on their own to drive out demons and heal the sick. Jesus gave them His power so they could do what they had seen Him do.

Challenge: God calls every believer to go and minister to others. Not everyone is called to be a full-time vocational minister, but every believer is called to minister to those they encounter. God has given you His authority to minister in His name. To love in His name. To care in His name. You are the hands and feet of Jesus to minister to a dying world that desperately needs a Savior who can forgive people of their sins and give them eternal life. Pray that God will give you authority and use you to minister to others.

Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38 HCSB

This year I celebrate 40 years of full-time ministry. One of the greatest challenges in ministry is discovering, enlisting, and training workers. There is always a need for more volunteers, especially in the preschool and children’s ministry areas.

Jesus had just looked out on the crowds and had compassion for them because they were weary, worn out, and lost. He realized how many people needed a Savior. He described them as a harvest that was abundant. Many people are not only in need of a Savior, they are willing to give their lives to Jesus Christ if only someone would tell them about Him and help them know how to become His disciple. He then commanded His disciples to pray for more workers. When we pray it shifts the problem from us to our great God who is all-powerful and capable of handling any challenge.

Challenge: In approaching God through prayer, we are utilizing the great power of God. It is through prayer that we can change the world and make a difference in the lives of others. As you pray for more workers, do not be surprised if God calls you to be one of those workers. Be prepared to share the Good News of Jesus with those you encounter each day who are lost and need to know Jesus as Lord of their lives.

When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 HCSB

For years my wife and I have sponsored a child through Compassion International. Each month we give money to help with her food, clothes, health care, education, and religious training. We selected her because she has a birthday in September near the birthdate of our youngest daughter. We correspond with her via letters periodically. Compassion International currently sponsors over 1,700,000 children worldwide. Over 122,000 children and mothers accepted Christ as Savior this last year. The organization by its name appeals to the compassion of people to get them involved in sponsoring a child.

Jesus had compassion on the crowds that He saw, not because they were poor but because they were worn out, weary, and lost. They needed a Savior. The Bible teaches us that Jesus is a God of compassion and kindness. He desires to help us, care for us, and protect us like a good shepherd does for his sheep. Jesus loves us so much He was willing to die on the cross for our sins so we might be forgiven and enjoy eternal life in heaven with Him.

Challenge: Pray that God would give you a compassion for the worn out, weary, and lost of this world. Pray that your compassion will push you to actually do something to minister to those in need and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. If interested in sponsoring a child through Compassion International, go to www.compassion.com.

Then Jesus went to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. Matthew 9:35 HCSB

Billy Graham is known as one of the most famous traveling evangelists. He has traveled all over the world attracting large crowds at indoor and outdoor venues, preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. His son, Franklin Graham, and his grandson, Will Graham, now conduct crusades around the world. I had the privilege of working with the Billy Graham crusade in Nashville, Tennessee, as the co-chairman of the follow-up committee and was amazed at the dedication and organization traveling evangelism requires.

Jesus, as the Son of God, was a traveling evangelist. He preached the Good News of the kingdom of God in towns and villages. Each community that had at least 10 Jewish men was required to have a synagogue which served as the local place for worship and religious instruction. Jesus used the synagogues as a place to teach and preach the love of God.

Challenge: Today our churches are places where people gather for worship and religious instruction. Are you involved in a local body of believers? Are you attending a small group Bible study? Pray that God would help you take advantage of opportunities to teach and preach the Good News of Jesus Christ to friends, relatives, work associates, and neighbors.