God Shares Our Burdens

 Judges 17-21    Psalm 81      Matthew 11

The last several chapters of Judges show how quickly the people of Israel forgot what the Lord and taught them and their failure to pass on the commandments or plain disobedience. Starting with family members walking away it soon was whole tribes. It caused continued division in the nation until there was great civil war between the tribes that cost thousands of lives. It is repeatedly pointed out there was no king, no ruler, and everyone did what was right in their own eyes. The results are devastating.

The songs of Israel often remind them that the same God that delivered them by his mighty hand from Egypt was the one that held them accountable for what they did after they left. While he had patiently provided time for their recovery, learning the law and preparing to take the land he had promised them they quickly abandoned listening to his voice and following him.

The very ones that claimed to love the Lord hated his ways and pretended obedience while hating his direction and suffered great punishment for their disobedience. For those that trusted in the Lord and followed his ways he provided for them, usually from unexpected places.

Matthew tells us that after Jesus instructed his disciples, he departed to their cities to teach and preach the good news. When John questions if Jesus is really the Expected One or should they look for another even he appears to be wondering about what his father and mother had been told all those years ago about him and about Jesus. Jesus simple responds to John’s disciples that they should go back and witness to what they have heard and seen while with him.

Jesus also challenges the people to be careful to what they look for in a leader. Not to be deceived by their dress that impresses but is not a sign of faith in God. While John the Baptist was great in human eyes compared to the lowest in the Kingdom of Heaven, he would still be the least. Those a part of the Kingdom of Heave will suffer violence.

As Jesus challenges them to be a witness to what they have seen and heard while with him he also reminds them the cost of following him will be even greater. He praises God the Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, the while the kingdom has been hidden from those that see themselves as wise and intelligent God does not see them that way and reveals himself to infants in the faith. He invites them when feeling wearing and worn down by the work of the Kingdom to come to him and lay their burdens down for he will make the load light. When we share the burden of the work of the Lord with Jesus it is like being yoked together and Jesus will carry the load for us.

I always find it encouraging when I feel overwhelmed with the work of the Kingdom that God goes before me and I am never alone and that if I am willing Jesus will work beside me as if we were yoked together and ease my burdens.