Mat 11:16-19; 25-30. Dancing to whose tune?? 6/7/08
{16) "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: {17} "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' {18}For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' {19} The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." 'But wisdom is proved right by her actions."
{25} At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. {26} Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. {27} "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. {28} "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. {29} 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. {30} For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
To what can I compare this generation? It would appear that Jesus could very well have had this generation of ours today, in mind when he spoke these words: For I would suggest that our generation here, including you and I, fit very much into the proverb that he uses here. Sadly the picture he paints of us is not all that flattering, despite the fact that we think we are so clever. Here we have a damning indictment made against us: One that I am not all that sure that we will be able to get out of: For we seem to be so self-centred that we don’t want to change. We don’t want to dance to any other tune, except our own.
Yes, we and our society today are wise and learned people. We know where it is at; and we have our lives under control; or at least we know how things should be for us. Even when it comes to things ‘christian,’ we are so enlightened that we know what is good for us. When the Scriptures don’t line up with what we think then obviously it doesn’t mean what it says for us and our society today; so we change it. And I could give example after example of where this is taking place.
So we fit very well into this little saying that Jesus uses here: They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' In other words he is saying we are playing our little games with God and then wondering why he is not dancing to our tune. We are wanting God to fit in with our way of thinking, rather than the other way around.
As a result, we wonder why life is such a struggle and a battle: We wonder why there is that constant load on our shoulders, that is weighing us down; why it seems such a burden to do that which we think is right and good and to be seen doing so. We wonder why life continually fails to deliver what we believe should be there for us.
Yet here Jesus says to each one of us; "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children..... Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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."
Oh, if only it were so simple! If only we could be like that! If only we could truly get it all together! If only.......!
Yes, if only we would stop playing games. If only we would stop wanting to play our own tune, expecting God to dance as we please. If only we would look to and trust in God, rather than want to fit what he has to say into our own way of thinking. But it seems as if we just don’t want to do that. Instead we want to have control over our own lives; do what we want to do; and expect God to make it all right for us.
So as Jesus said; wisdom is proved right by her actions. The little wisdom saying is true. We want God and everyone else to dance to our tune.
Here then take note of the verses in between what we read. Here Jesus condemns those Jews for not repenting as a result of all the miracles which he had done amongst them. Their rejection of God in their midst meant that they would face God’s judgement. Their religiosity and sincerity was not enough. Their focus on their good achievements was all wrong. So for their unwillingness to look to God and what he had for them, Jesus condemns them. Serious consequences indeed, for us to consider in this context!
Then Jesus went on to say; "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
There he clearly states that, contrary to our way of thinking, God’s ways are infinitely greater and better than anything we could dream up ourselves. He contrasts the wise and learned human being with the Lord of heaven and earth. He thereby reminds us, that who do we really think we are, by setting ourselves up as the knowledgeable and learned ones. After all Jesus’ Father is the Lord over all things in heaven and on earth. He is the one we need to turn to, and look to for all that we need for life. He is the one that we should trust in, with regard to what is right and good.
This understanding is clearly given and revealed in the little children. The babe simply trusts that its being, help and safety comes from beyond themselves. They know that they are cared for and loved, without it being up to them. They don’t play games with God; they trust what is given and said.
That then is what the Lord Almighty longs for in us also. That we too will simply look to him and trust that he has that which is right and good for us. We will simply receive from him that which he has to give, rather than impose our will on him. We surely will understand that we as sinful, selfish human beings, and as such are simply unable to get it even remotely right. We cannot play the game by our own rules; or by changing the rules to suit ourselves, as we go along.
This then has a lot to say to us as we live out our lives as Christians each and every day. It has a lot to say to us and how we react and live together with our fellow believers. And it has a lot to say to our church at this time, as we seek to bring enormous change into what we not only do, but also what our theology is. For much is being said and done today which is no longer in accord with Scripture as it has been passed down to us.
Yes we need to remember that the Lord is God and that he constantly is seeking to renew us and help us to be his witnesses to the world around us. But he is a God who does not change; what he has said is what we need, even today, in order to go forward as his people. Therefore Jesus Christ and his Word and Sacraments are still the very centre and core of the Christian Faith. It is the Holy Spirit working through the Word and Sacraments that creates and sustains faith in Jesus Christ. What God has to give us in worship is far more important than what we can do for him. The Office of the Ministry is as valid today as it always has been; and rightly called and prepared men are still just as necessary as they have been throughout the last two thousand years. These are just some of the many issues that are important for us today.
We are not to impose our wisdom and learning on these issues; playing games with God and his Word. Let us accept what he has given us on these issues in his Word, and which has been passed down throughout the history of the Church, in simple childlike faith.
Hear again what Jesus has to say; "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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."
By looking to him and trusting what he has given us, not only makes life much easier for us, but it is that then which is being a part of our Lord’s game. It is dancing to his tune. It is not us trying to get God to play our games, but us being a part of that which is given to us, to make life easy for us. But then most importantly all glory goes to our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For to him alone belongs all glory, now and always. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba
{16) "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: {17} "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' {18}For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' {19} The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." 'But wisdom is proved right by her actions."
{25} At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. {26} Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. {27} "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. {28} "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. {29} 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. {30} For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
To what can I compare this generation? It would appear that Jesus could very well have had this generation of ours today, in mind when he spoke these words: For I would suggest that our generation here, including you and I, fit very much into the proverb that he uses here. Sadly the picture he paints of us is not all that flattering, despite the fact that we think we are so clever. Here we have a damning indictment made against us: One that I am not all that sure that we will be able to get out of: For we seem to be so self-centred that we don’t want to change. We don’t want to dance to any other tune, except our own.
Yes, we and our society today are wise and learned people. We know where it is at; and we have our lives under control; or at least we know how things should be for us. Even when it comes to things ‘christian,’ we are so enlightened that we know what is good for us. When the Scriptures don’t line up with what we think then obviously it doesn’t mean what it says for us and our society today; so we change it. And I could give example after example of where this is taking place.
So we fit very well into this little saying that Jesus uses here: They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' In other words he is saying we are playing our little games with God and then wondering why he is not dancing to our tune. We are wanting God to fit in with our way of thinking, rather than the other way around.
As a result, we wonder why life is such a struggle and a battle: We wonder why there is that constant load on our shoulders, that is weighing us down; why it seems such a burden to do that which we think is right and good and to be seen doing so. We wonder why life continually fails to deliver what we believe should be there for us.
Yet here Jesus says to each one of us; "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children..... Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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."
Oh, if only it were so simple! If only we could be like that! If only we could truly get it all together! If only.......!
Yes, if only we would stop playing games. If only we would stop wanting to play our own tune, expecting God to dance as we please. If only we would look to and trust in God, rather than want to fit what he has to say into our own way of thinking. But it seems as if we just don’t want to do that. Instead we want to have control over our own lives; do what we want to do; and expect God to make it all right for us.
So as Jesus said; wisdom is proved right by her actions. The little wisdom saying is true. We want God and everyone else to dance to our tune.
Here then take note of the verses in between what we read. Here Jesus condemns those Jews for not repenting as a result of all the miracles which he had done amongst them. Their rejection of God in their midst meant that they would face God’s judgement. Their religiosity and sincerity was not enough. Their focus on their good achievements was all wrong. So for their unwillingness to look to God and what he had for them, Jesus condemns them. Serious consequences indeed, for us to consider in this context!
Then Jesus went on to say; "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
There he clearly states that, contrary to our way of thinking, God’s ways are infinitely greater and better than anything we could dream up ourselves. He contrasts the wise and learned human being with the Lord of heaven and earth. He thereby reminds us, that who do we really think we are, by setting ourselves up as the knowledgeable and learned ones. After all Jesus’ Father is the Lord over all things in heaven and on earth. He is the one we need to turn to, and look to for all that we need for life. He is the one that we should trust in, with regard to what is right and good.
This understanding is clearly given and revealed in the little children. The babe simply trusts that its being, help and safety comes from beyond themselves. They know that they are cared for and loved, without it being up to them. They don’t play games with God; they trust what is given and said.
That then is what the Lord Almighty longs for in us also. That we too will simply look to him and trust that he has that which is right and good for us. We will simply receive from him that which he has to give, rather than impose our will on him. We surely will understand that we as sinful, selfish human beings, and as such are simply unable to get it even remotely right. We cannot play the game by our own rules; or by changing the rules to suit ourselves, as we go along.
This then has a lot to say to us as we live out our lives as Christians each and every day. It has a lot to say to us and how we react and live together with our fellow believers. And it has a lot to say to our church at this time, as we seek to bring enormous change into what we not only do, but also what our theology is. For much is being said and done today which is no longer in accord with Scripture as it has been passed down to us.
Yes we need to remember that the Lord is God and that he constantly is seeking to renew us and help us to be his witnesses to the world around us. But he is a God who does not change; what he has said is what we need, even today, in order to go forward as his people. Therefore Jesus Christ and his Word and Sacraments are still the very centre and core of the Christian Faith. It is the Holy Spirit working through the Word and Sacraments that creates and sustains faith in Jesus Christ. What God has to give us in worship is far more important than what we can do for him. The Office of the Ministry is as valid today as it always has been; and rightly called and prepared men are still just as necessary as they have been throughout the last two thousand years. These are just some of the many issues that are important for us today.
We are not to impose our wisdom and learning on these issues; playing games with God and his Word. Let us accept what he has given us on these issues in his Word, and which has been passed down throughout the history of the Church, in simple childlike faith.
Hear again what Jesus has to say; "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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."
By looking to him and trusting what he has given us, not only makes life much easier for us, but it is that then which is being a part of our Lord’s game. It is dancing to his tune. It is not us trying to get God to play our games, but us being a part of that which is given to us, to make life easy for us. But then most importantly all glory goes to our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For to him alone belongs all glory, now and always. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba
posted by Roger at
7:59 pm
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home