Matthew___11
Scripture
Matthew 11:28-30
Observation
Understanding
In the past when I have read these verse I tended to only focus on the one that promises rest for a tired and weary soul. The other verses seemed like added “work” and I didn’t understand how they applied to rest. Upon research I discovered that a “yoke” is a tool that is used in farming to join two animals so that the workload becomes equal and shared. Ironically I used to ignore these verses… which seems to be pretty indicative of how I view God trying to “yoke” me. Here’s what I mean while I thought I was busy toiling with my land, God longed to partner alongside me to make my burden less. However, in my stubbornness I haven’t always taken the time to stop and accept the help. Quite honestly I think other people can relate to this to. Rather than taking the time to understand what taking a yoke from someone is, we would rather just do our own thing when there is a way better (and more efficient) way.
The bottom line: God longs to partner with us in order to make our burdens light.
Life Application
Take a rest! You don’t have to keep on toiling by yourself. Where do you see areas that you haven’t let God “yoke" you? Take some time to listen and allow God to reveal the places that He longs to work alongside you. I promise it will provide rest that you thought would never come. Let’s choose to partner with God!
-Allison Khan
Matthew__10
Scripture
Matthew 10:39 NIV
Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it.”
Observation-What does it say?
Jesus sends out His 12 disciples in the same authority that He has to heal and cast out impure spirits. The above verse was part of the instructions given to His disciples before He sent them out. He was encouraging them and making them aware of the opposition they would face as His disciples. At the same time, He was encouraging them to take up their cross daily, for when they lose their life for His sake and His mission, that is when they will find it.
Understanding-What does it mean?
The gains of being a Christ follower are greater than the losses.
This verse can be taken 2 ways-it relates to the present and to the future. It relates to the present in the sense that our lives as Christ followers are not for our own selfish gain or to pursue our own sinful desires. It is the opposite. While others in the world are seeking to "find themselves,” we seek to "lose ourselves" as a servant of Jesus Christ. That's when our true purpose is realized.
This verse also relates to the future- eternity. When we die, we are not lost in a hellish existence. Instead, we find our life, for our true dwelling place to come in eternity with Christ is where our hope lies.
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28 NIV
Life Application
Do our lives seek to serve Jesus and others? Or are we living for ourselves?
The interesting thing about wanting to serve ourselves is that it never satisfies. We will always want more money, a better title/job, a bigger house and car, a better spouse/relationship, a better body/health, more praise, a better life, more freedom, more justice, etc., and it's a downward spiral that is a result of discontentment because of a thirst that can't be quenched. Then comes the high counseling bills or sometimes destructive means of masking that pain through drug/alcohol use, inappropriate relationships, workaholism, etc.
Our spirit man longs to serve and love Someone greater than ourselves and the END of the search will always be Jesus. Just like Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:14, "but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst..", the best way for us to find "your best life now,” is to lose it for the sake of Christ.
Dear Jesus, Your Word says that You've given us authority in this world. However, it also says we will face many sorrows in this life as we take up our Cross daily for You, face opposition, as well as give up what we want to serve You and others. Please remind us to find refuge in You and be content in You alone. Please help us to live a life of authority in godliness with contentment (1 Timothy 6:6) and remember to be content because You promise that You will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Please remind me of my purpose when I fall into the trap of being envious of the world's gains and question the sacrifice of a Christ follower. May Your Holy Spirit remind me of Proverbs 23:17-18, "Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Matthew___9
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.“So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
Observation-What does it say?
As news grew of all the healing and miracles that Jesus was performing, so were the crowds. Jesus was casting out demons from people, healing the blind, healing the paralyzed, and raising the dead to name a few things. Jesus was able to meet and help people from all walks of life. Yet Jesus never lost focus on his main ministry while here on earth...recruiting people to God's Kingdom and sharing the good news with them. But as the crowds continued to grow, Jesus’ heart was filled with compassion for them. He saw a crowd of people who were lost and in need of knowing the truth. But between himself and his disciples there were too few of them. They needed more help! They needed to ask God's help to provide more workers to help them as they continued their works in ministry.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Being a follower of Christ is not a "spectator's sport". It is something that is going to take a total team effort, and involves all to do their part and "get in the game"!
I would like to think that all the people in this passage whose lives were touched by Jesus were all able to turn their lives around, repent from old sinful habits, and share with everyone they came into contact with about what Jesus had done for them. I hope that the crowds of people that were coming by the numbers to see him weren't just there for a "free handout", or they were just there to witness a miracle. I would like to think these crowds of people all became believers and followers of Jesus that day. That they learned about His teachings and were able to share it with others as well. Now that would be multiplying Christ Followers everywhere!
In the same aspect I would like to think that we as Christ Followers aren't just here "for the ride". We're not just in it to receive His blessings/"free handouts" from Him. I would like to think that we as Christ Followers know that we were bought at a price. That we understand that we are called to partner with our Almighty Father in Heaven to help further His Kingdom here on earth. Yes, our God can do ALL things and He is Almighty and powerful. But he desires for us to partner with Him, to be His hands and feet here on earth, to do ministry together, fellowship together, build His Kingdom...together.
The same way Jesus looked into the crowds and had compassion for all the lost souls He saw, is the same way we need to look within our own communities and workplaces and have that same compassion towards them. There is lots to do out there, and so few of us that are willing to step in and help. Like Jesus said in verse 37, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.“ We too should do as Jesus instructed his disciples in this passage and ask God to help provide us more workers to aid us in the field of ministry. Ask God to provide us people who are willing to "get in the game" and make a difference!
Life Application
Be an influence out in the world to lead others to Christ, and lead those who already know Him, (but may not truly follow Him), to "get in the game" and partner together and serve in ministry together!
DSC is the perfect place to start serving in ministry if you're not already. Even during this pandemic, we offer outreaches within our community such as the school supply drive and our most recent Trunk or Treat event, and plenty of other ministries such as teaching online for kids church, helping with audio/visual ministry, prayer ministry, soul journal, etc. So, as you can see there are plenty of opportunities to serve and get out in the fields of ministry. And the more hands we can get in there helping each other, the lighter the load it is for our brothers and sisters. So isn't it time we get in the game and help our team?!
“God has shown you his grace in many different ways. So be good servants and use whatever gift he has given you in a way that will best serve each other.” 1 Peter 4:10 ERV
-Moses Gaddi