Lectionary for Sunday 14

Lectionary for Sunday 14.

Jesus says: ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens,and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart.     Matthew 11:28-29

Collect. Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ has taught us that what we do for the least of your children we do also for him. Give us the will to serve others as he was the servant of all, who gave up his life and died for us, but lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Reading. Romans 7:15-25a. “For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” Paul is exposing a struggle that each one of us has, at least we have that struggle if we regard the law as right and just. Paul calls the law “spiritual”, that is linked to God’s will for his followers. Since we see the law as God’s law and therefore good we face ourselves with a problem. Though the law is good it proves to be impossible to keep, no matter how great one struggles. For every Christian this struggle continues for no one is innately righteous of themselves. As Paul reminds us, “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 2:23 & 5:12) It is faith itself which begins this struggle for as our reading reminds us it is only when our faith convinces us that God’s law is the right way to live that the conflict between what I want and what I do begins. Sadly our passage reminds us that the struggle continues for the whole of this earthly life.

Luther in his “Preface to the Romans” commenting on this passage suggests that one of the reasons we struggle is our failure to fully understand faith. Though we have faith we often can make the mistake of trying to add to that faith by doing what is right. The Reformers great slogan was, “By Faith alone”. Putting it simply and hopefully not too simplistically, completely trusting that Christ’s saving work is enough in every situation of life to keep us linked to God and His salvation. It is faith which gives us a great love for God and all that has been accomplished on our behalf. So we do not strive but love to keep God’s law. We also have to accept that sometimes despite our love, we will fail. In every event faith in what Jesus Christ has done will see us through. This is the conclusion that Paul arrives at. While he despairs that he cannot cease from the urge to do what is good despite doing what is contrary to God’s law, still victory comes through faithfully trusting in Jesus Christ. “ Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Romans 7:24f)

Prayer. Holy Lord, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for the power of Jesus’ love to bring the righteousness that we need each day. We thank you that because of the cross we can find a place with you without pretence. Help us in our struggles that we will keep our eyes fixed on you, for it is only through your power that we can achieve success. Help us Lord to keep your words in our minds and help us to be ready to follow when you call. Help us not to be afraid to do what is right but be ready in all situations to act in your name. As this day ends may we not be ashamed to still call you Lord. Amen.

Reading. Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30. Winter is upon us and despite the weather bureau estimating that this winter will be drier and warmer than average, to date it has been both wetter and colder! Consequently many conversations are at least in part a grumble about “the weather”. Jesus appraised his generation by saying in a sense that “they were never happy”. They refused to be happy and contented no matter what message was delivered to them. John the Baptist lived an austere lifestyle as he announced his message. Jesus lived a more normal life in that he ate and drank and made friends of all classes of people. People chose to criticize rather than accept the differences. By choosing to criticize they missed the teaching of both John and Jesus.

In the verses between today’s short passages Jesus denounces those cities in which most of his ministry had been conducted because “they did not repent”. They did not respond to the opportunity that was being offered to them to change their ways and draw closer to God. Despite their failure to respond Jesus graciously accepts that this failure to hear is all in accordance with God’s will. Throughout the history of Israel this failure to hear God’s message was often described e.g. (Jeremiah 5:21). The prophets warned the nation often of their failure to hear God’s warning calls.

Jesus is happy to accept all that God planned to do, for Jesus is in complete harmony with the Father and his will. The harmonious relationship is so complete that God has handed all things over to Jesus. It is out of this agreement that Jesus then speaks about his followers taking his yoke.  Perhaps we could say that in one sense Jesus takes on the yoke of his Father and this yoke does not chafe because of their complete harmony.

In the bible as in life the yoke was an instrument to help carry a load. Two types of yoke are mentioned: There was the yoke that increased the burden, this was the yoke imposed by the legalists and those who demanded that the law be kept in order to please God: Then there was a yoke which made operating in life so much easier and this as the yoke that Jesus was offering. The promise from the prophets was that God would break the burdensome yoke and set them free to come under his yoke. (Ezekiel 34:27) Jesus’ yoke springs from love of God and love of Jesus, recognising all that he has done on our behalf. This is the yoke that trusts in him rather than in law keeping. Under Jesus’ yoke we live in freedom by accepting that God’s way in all circumstances is perfect for us and we are willing to live comfortably by trusting his way. This trust touches every point of our lives and we don’t have to add anything else.

Let us return briefly to our “winter grumbles”. Winter is an essential part of God’s plan for our planet just as much as are the growth days of spring and the fruitful days of autumn. As such we should thank God for it. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body. Proverbs 3:6-8

Prayer. Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ we thank you that Jesus lived his life in a perfect relationship with you. In your mercy grant that through your Spirit we too might walk in loving obedience with you and trusting you in all things. Lord Jesus you call us to rest in you and find true peace. For us Lord that is such a comforting word, and yet we so often add our own burdens, burdens you never intended. Help us to truly trust you in all circumstances and always look to you for guidance and grace. We thank you for rescuing us from doom and despair, grant that we may always walk in the light of your love. Help us to turn our thoughts from our own needs and look always to those whose needs are greater than our own; those facing dangers we have never experienced, those whose circumstances are more severe than we can imagine. We also pray for those who do not know you, who have never heard your promised help. Bless them Lord and fill us with an urgency to share your good news, that others will know of your love and experience your peace. This we ask in Jesus name. Amen.

Collect. Holy Jesus, you reveal the wisdom of simplicity, as you reveal your Father to those who will hear. Take our burdens from us, so we may take your yoke upon ourselves, for you are our Liberator, now and for ever. Amen.