“…encourage (parakaleō: to console and comfort) one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thess. 5:11) Why should we be encouraged? “The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deut. 31:8)
Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and LEARN FROM ME, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30) Jesus used two very important Greek words in this passage. They are translated as “weary” and “heavy-laden.” They are both present participle verbs. This means Jesus was describing someone who is constantly weary and constantly heavily burdened. It is clear that Jesus was speaking in a spiritual sense because He adds, “You will find rest for your souls.” The Jewish leaders taught that those who kept THEIR LIST OF RULES would go to heaven someday. God only asks that we believe Him and are willing to let Him change our life and help us to avoid sin. That is, Jesus asks us to believe in Him as our Savior and Lord. “Most assuredly, I say to you, He who hears My word AND BELIEVES in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” (John 5:24)
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day had established a long list of spiritual duties for others to perform TOMMY. Scripture reveals that the religious leaders did not keep all of their own rules even though they imposed them on the people. The list of duties was designed to prevent the Jewish people, the laymen, from violating God’s laws. As a result, their leaders imposed hundreds of religious rules that CANNOT BE FOUND IN THE BIBLE. The rules were a burden. This helps us understand Jesus’ statement, “Take my yoke and LEARN FROM ME,” to the religious leaders. Jesus said to them, “Woe to you also, lawyers! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves DO NOT TOUCH the burdens with one of your fingers.” (Luke 11:46)
“IF YOU CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH THE LORD JESUS AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD HAS RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE SAVED.” (Romans 10:9)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham