Yoke!

Matthew 11:28-30 AMP

In the generation we live in, it has become normal to be under stress. We all bear our loads. But Jesus makes a point here, that I believe a lot of us miss. He isn't just offering relief; He is telling us all, "You need a yoke!"

No one wants to admit that we don't know what we're doing with life. If we did know, then we wouldn't make mistakes we regret now would we? Nor would we stumble about spending so much time stressing out on what to do and how to do it. Realize this, and that puts you at a crossroads-- I can go at this on my own, or I can have a shepherd. See, shepherds lead and steer us in the right way. Psalm 23 talks of a "rod and staff", two common implements shepherds use. Matt.11 talks of a yoke, which is a steering device. Jesus makes it clear, it's not harsh or hard or burdensome; rather it is light and easy to be bourne. It's a steering device on our will, on our decision-making process.

As we entrust ourselves to Jesus and His Word, we submit to His shepherdship, by saying I will do what Your Word and Your Spirit leads me to do. I won't go it alone, I will look to You, Shepherd. He will impress upon your will a sense of fitting-ness before you make decisions. You will have a sensing that will grow over time spent heeding the yoke. Yet, you still decide what to do. It's still your life. You have to decide to want this yoke, and to heed it in order to be successful.

What a risk God took here, giving us our own free will. And what an offer He made, basically granting us success in everything we do, since the One doing the leading knows the end from the beginning, and loves you more than anyone ever can. Truly mind-blowing. Doing it the solo pilot way just doesn't make any sense.

Relief is momentary; this yoke is the long-term solution to stress and screwing up your life. I choose the long-term solution, I choose the yoke!

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"Damned if you do, damned if you don't."

Matthew 11:16-19 the message:
16 "How can I account for this generation? The people have been like spoiled children whining to their parents,17 'We wanted to skip rope, and you were always too tired; we wanted to talk, but you were always too busy.'18 John came fasting and they called him crazy.19 I came feasting and they called me a lush, a friend of the riff-raff. Opinion polls don't count for much, do they? The proof of the pudding is in the eating."

"You're damned if you do, damned if you don't" seems to be the message here.  Thank You, Jesus, for exposing yet another characteristic of this last-days generation.  

When people are offended with the truth of God's Word in the mouth of a messenger, there will always be some fault to find.  John was too wild, too extreme.  Jesus was too "worldly", too un-religious.  Truth is, this generation did not want to welcome the Word, because of the change it would require.  Change? Yes.  You can't simply hear the Word, be a spectator, nod your head in agreement.  The Message Jesus was driving forward (and John too) was REPENT, change, hearing the Word isn't enough; being of the chosen people isn't enough; rebirth and change required (Matt.3).  So this was contrary to the living examples of the pharisees, those powerful church leaders of the day.  

A preacher in the style of John comes into your life, and you will find fault with his roughshod and violent passionate approach.  A preacher in the style of Jesus comes into your life, and his association with the sinners and worldly will bother you.  Always complaining, like spoiled children.  Sigh.  When will our easily offendable brothers and sisters in this Body grow up and start to LOVE the Word, regardless?  

A commitment to change is required.  Gotta lose the snakeskin.  Gotta change from within.  No pat answers or spiritual buzz words will carry you through.  Offense is the gate that whittles out the fake from the genuine, that separates the serious-about-God from the serious-about-self.  Hallelujah, bring it on Father!

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. 'Nuff said. Clear as day. You can display your plastic fruit, but one bite and the show is over. The only opinion that counts, is Yours, Father.

Sat. 03.26.11

The remnant is a smattering of ragtag survivors, who survived the hypocrisy as well the growing blanket of apostasy that is choking out the word in so many of our brothers and sisters in all the churches around the globe. This is real war. There is a real enemy, a spiritual enemy. There is real work for us to do, in joining Jesus in undoing the works the devil has done.

Jesus came preaching solely in the context of the last days. "Occupy, until I come" is a military directive, a directive of the kingdom, to gain and keep the ground we are taking back from the enemy. That's right, we are to be on the offensive here. There isn't much time. We have to get working, we have to get on with it.

Romans 11.2-6

Do you remember that time Elijah was agonizing over this same Israel and cried out in prayer? God, they murdered your prophets, They trashed your altars; I'm the only one left and now they're after me!4 And do you remember God's answer? I still have seven thousand who haven't quit, Seven thousand who are loyal to the finish. It's the same today. There's a fiercely loyal minority still-not many, perhaps, but probably more than you think. They're holding on, not because of what they think they're going to get out of it, but because they're convinced of God's grace and purpose in choosing them. If they were only thinking of their own immediate self-interest, they would have left long ago.

With great glory comes great betrayal. This is the equation of our time.

Jesus had to deal with betrayal, at the hour of His glory. It's a recurring pattern, this is how the devil attacks. All in the hopes that our hearts will be ripped out and the wind sucked out of our sails, right at the moment when we need strength and resolve the most, right at the moment of God doign glorious things.

We cannot take it personally. Jesus is our example. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

And so the fight goes on, and that betrayal serves as a marker-- a marker of progress, of the Word being exalted, of Truth advancing.

John 3.19-21

"This is the crisis we're in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God.Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won't come near it, fearing a painful exposure.But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is."

Hallelujah, people! Occupy, and guard your heart like never before. What an honor to be a part of this work.