Carl DeLine

Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

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Call to Worship: Thank you, Lord. I woke up this morning and discovered a smile. Thank you that we have something to smile about. Amen.

Biblical Texts:

Text for the day: Matthew 11:29 – Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Music:

“All Creatures of Our God and King

Meditation: Jesus wants you to experience a full and meaningful life.

It has been a long time since I boiled eggs for breakfast. I put two eggs in boiling hot water and let them cook for 15 minutes. When I took them out and cracked them open one of them was soft boiled and the other was hard boiled. They were both put in the water at the same time, boiled for the same amount of time and sat in the same amount of water. They both felt the same heat and were taken out of the water within nanoseconds of each other. Both shells were cracked within moments of each other. For some reason they both came out differently.

Much of what is going on in churches today has become program oriented. If you have a problem, an addiction, lost a job, need a support group, there is no doubt a program. Just like the eggs mentioned earlier people are individuals and no two are alike. Not only do people respond differently it seems we respond to the heat and pressures of life differently. Reality is all people are individuals and need to experience healthy lives.

I believe this is significant when reading the words of Jesus. He is concerned about each person and offers a “different program!” Yoke bearing. By taking His yoke, Jesus suggests this will be a transforming experience.

When we take the Matthew passage and use it as a looking glass for each of the Biblical texts a very interesting statement arises. Isaac followed the way of the Lord. The way of the Lord becomes the act of taking Christ’s yoke and walking with it. It gives precedence to family and family tradition.

The psalmist adds an interesting thought. Our works become an act of praise. Taking the yoke of Christ is more than being a “do gooder,” it is thanklessly offering what we choose to do as a way of life. The “program,” the “yoke of Christ” allows for enjoyment and fulfillment to be found in the motive, to love the Lord our God and our neighbor as ourselves.

The Apostle Paul identifies the reality of this “program called yoke bearing” when he identifies the struggle within each of us. It seems to be easier for many to be self centered than Christ centered in life actions and intentions. After saying that he concludes the Jesus “way” ultimately brings more then just a way of behavior it also brings salvation.

There is a pattern here. It appears Jesus brings a solution to the meaning and purpose of life before many even ask the question. Can we simply accept the gentle and humbling call of walking with Jesus? Many of us living with long term illnesses understand the pressures and the heat this puts on our lives. We understand the inability of doing what we try and failing at it. This message then comes to us as an invitation. Would that we find the comfort of being “yoked” to Jesus. Amen.

Benediction: Doxology