Pentecost 8 (Year A) Proper 9

In today's Gospel reading, Matthew 11:25-30, Jesus of Nazareth provides the glorious and truthful revelation of the benefits of his well-fitting yoke for all humankind [John 3:16-17]. Jesus accepted, assented to, appropriated and in great humility and obedience, wore God's yoke of Christ-centered spiritual mindedness throughout his life and ministry [John 5:19, 30]. Jesus recommends voluntary, personal allegiance to, obedience and putting on his yoke. Jesus assures us that his yoke bring light heartedness, peace and eternal rest to the humble and obedient human soul [Matthew 11:28-30].

Putting on Jesus' yoke is facilitated by allowing the presence, grace, love and truth of the indwelling Christ and the Holy Spirit to serve us as Lord, Savior and Master [John 1:16-18]. Christ is the individualized presence, image and likeness of God in the spiritual core of all humankind, male and female, just as God created them [Genesis 1:26-27]. Like Jesus, the apostle Paul also experienced and taught salvation and deliverance from the bondage of sin and Satan through the reign of the indwelling and incarnate Christ, in the human hearts and soul [Colossians 1:24-29].

The benefits of Jesus' yoke of Christ-centered spiritual mindedness are the result of the complete transformation of the human heart in and through Christ. The humble, faithful and obedient follower of Jesus Christ experiences salvation from sin and Satan, spiritual awakening, illumination and discernment by allowing, suffering and permitting Christ's reign in his or her heart and life. Like Jesus of Nazareth, the person who puts on the yoke of Christ-centered spiritual mindedness becomes a channel of God's love, grace and truth in our planet [John 1:4, 14, 16-18].

It is unfortunate that many religious leaders in all the world religions continue to reject Christ-centered spiritual mindedness, humankind's only well fitting yoke [Matthew 11:16-24, Philippians 2:1-5]. The Bible make it clear that Christ is the only sure foundation and cornerstone on which to build human lives. By consenting to and allowing Jesus’ yoke, teachings, principles and practices to have supremacy in our hearts, minds and lives, mankind is assured rescue, release, liberation and emancipation from sin.

In Christ, human beings are no longer slaves to sin and Satan. In the Power of the Holy Spirit, through the ransom and redeeming work of Christ, mankind is released from sin's bondage into true freedom. The believer who puts on Jesus' yoke is enabled and empowered to recover, retrieve and again practice the kingdom living, which God originally intended, here on earth [Genesis 1:29-31, Luke 17:20-21].

Jesus' yoke is a yoke of a conscience. It is awakened and illuminated by Christ and the Holy Spirit. It is a yoke which allows and permits the love, truth and grace of the incarnate Christ to fill and flow through our human feeling, thoughts, experiences and actions. It is a yoke of meekness, humility and obedience to the still small voice of Christ, in and through one's spiritual core [Revelations 3:20].

Down through the ages and generations many humble, weary and burdened common folk have heard Jesus' invitation and gladly taken on his yoke of Christ-centered spiritual mindedness. They found deliverance, rest, healing, salvation, renewal and peace through faith in Christ and steadfastly followed in Jesus' footsteps [Mark 12:37]. Many have discovered that Jesus’ yoke was tailor-made to fit their immediate, short-term and long-term physical, mental, social, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs.

Have you chosen to be humble, obedient and faithful in following God's commandments and loving Jesus Christ, your neighbor and yourself? Have you experienced the incarnate Christ as the wings of charis and agape love in your heart, soul, mind and life? Have you discovered that Jesus' yoke is not too burdensome but actually most well-fiting for you?

Jesus' yoke of Christ-centered spiritual mindedness brings deliverance from sin and Satan. When appropriated with humility and faith, it brings eternal peace, rest, renewal and redemption to every human soul. Jesus' yoke fits all humankind uniquely and perfectly. Jesus' yoke is easy and his burden light [Matthew 11:28-30].

Virtue of the week: Humility

Prayer of the week: Establishing peace of mind