This generation

 

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Jesus said to the crowd, “To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;we wailed, and you did not mourn.’

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.“Come to me, all you that are weary and are 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, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Previously – Jesus talked about John ushering Him in as Messiah, and the greatness of John.

Jesus refers to those under empire and corrupted by it as "this generation."

   They want what they want, have itching ears to hear what they want to hear, and they are blown about with winds of doctrine they believe will get them what they want.

   They criticized John for fasting and now criticize Jesus for not fasting. 

   The Pharisees, Chief Priests, Scribes (corrupted religious leaders) have set it up for the true

      messenger of God to always appear to be wrong.

      The truth was a threat to them losing whatever little power or status they had retained under

         empire.

Jesus thanked God for hiding the truth from the ones who thought themselves superior and

    revealing it to those who were commoners like His disciples and himself, a carpenter’s son.

  Matthew sets Jesus up against the temple cult leaders as the true Messiah, the messenger of God.

        His disciples are His faithful who are learning God’s Will in obedience.

  So, those who oppose or reject Jesus and Jesus’ Way, reject God and God’s Will.

Then, Jesus beckons all who have been wearied by the oppressive occupation of empire to come to

         Him.

   It will be a respite from empire’s oppression because it is resistance to it.  It is a different, life

        -affirming way for them to live.

    It is not that they will not have a yoke, but the yoke will be God’s yoke which is a faithful

        burden.

   They are to learn from Jesus how to live Kingdom values instead of empire values and thus be

       faithful.

   The difference with Jesus is agaph, eleos (kindness), caris (grace) , crhstoths (kindness)

            as opposed to empire’s selfishness, hatred, cruelty, merciless treatment and brutality.

Following Jesus is beneficial to the soul, as gives tranquility and leads to real peace – Shalom.

Jesus’ yoke is righteous labor and Jesus’ burden is toward the good, beloved community, Shalom for all, God’s Kingdom come and Will being done in this part of God’s Kingdom, here and now.

Jesus’ Way is opposite of empire’s way.

   Some in His generation could not see that and if they could, they could not adopt is as their way.

   Some in this generation have followed a counterfeit Jesus created by empire to keep them occupied by it.  They will not get it, either.  

      But those who follow Jesus’ Way will find comfort, rest and peace in it.

      They will resist empire as their yoke to carry, burden to bear, but for the good of all of God’s children.

   It will seem like light work because of the joy of beloved community, of living agaph in the world, and the joy of transforming lives, communities and the world in agaph as Jesus’ Way.