Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 is the lectionary text for July 5.
In Jesus' time, the people were so corrupted and disinformed about what God wanted at the hands of a corrupt church leadership and because of living within empire values for so long, that they would not be satisfied with anything other than exactly what they wanted, instead of what God wanted.
We are in such an age.
Jesus came to teach, command and model God's will that we live the values of the Kingdom of God with one another, centered on Agape and Grace. The people wanted what they wanted, and believed that their allegiance to empire would allow them to rise within the system to get (at least some of) it.
After a couple generations of Roman rule and Temple leader corruption, it was all they believed they could hope for in this world.
So, like disillusioned, spoiled and self-centered children, they would not be satisfied with what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled as a better way. They tried to control God, but they could not, so they lashed out. They were oppositional with all who God sent, and to the living of Agape and Grace in the world. It would not serve their selfish desires. Whatever the messengers of God did, they would reject it for trumped up "reasons." It did not stop Jesus. Jesus continued with the consistent message that Agape and Grace are a better way than empire's greed, lust for power and desire for personal status. The more resistance they gave to Jesus, the more persistent and consistent the message of Agape and Grace. Though their "god was the belly," and while claiming to be faithful to God, but "having itching ears" to hear what they wanted to hear, Jesus persisted with the truth of the Kingdom of God, that God wants God's people to live Agape Love and Grace in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now. And the followers of Jesus persisted, and they were ignored, harassed, imprisoned and killed. They persisted, and some came to see the true wisdom of Jesus' Way and lived it. Empire lived on and false teachers and prophets continued to lead the blind away from God, but because of the faithful, so did a different way, God's Way in Jesus.
What a clear description of OUR age and our circumstance in the church, in government, in economics and in society today.
Jesus' prayer acknowledges the blindness of many who thought they knew how to give lip service to God while giving their devotion to empire. Jesus gave thanks for those who trusted Him and followed His Way of Agape and Grace, which is God's Way. The Gospel of Matthew very bluntly points out in this prayer that what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled came directly from God. It is very clear here, that to know Jesus is to know God and to follow Jesus is to be faithful to God.
So, Jesus in Matthew ends this with a call to the pure in heart who would follow Him in the living of Agape and Grace. Jesus acknowledges that living under empire is a burden that will wear you out, make you weary. Jesus calls them/us to bear a different burden - HIS burden. We are called to pick up our Cross, a different Yoke, learn Agape and Grace and the living of it from Him and give our souls a rest from the barrage of attacks on them in the living of empire values. It is the yoke and burden of living Agape and Grace in a world that has no value for them, but it is easy and light for the soul that would otherwise rot and die in its devotion to empire.
Jesus' Way is God's Way. Jesus' Way is not what the false teachers and prophets have twisted it to be in the hearts and minds of so many. It is not the way of empire values. It is the way of Agape (committed action on behalf of the other, even stranger and enemy and especially the most vulnerable) and Grace (undeserved loving mercy given freely to all). It is a better way for EVERYONE in the world. Indeed, it is the only sustainable way FOR the world, as we have seen.
So, we will either act like disillusioned, disinformed and spoiled children who want what we want, or we will follow Jesus in the living of Agape Love and Grace, and be faithful to God.
The question is, will this generation be different from past generations in faithfulness to God?
Will we finally find rest for our souls?
Pastor Jamie
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