Matters of Faith
By Dr. Bascom Ratliff
Pastor, Beagle / Fontana / Parker United Methdist Churches
Scripture: The bible passages are from the new revised standard version (NSRV).
Mark 8:34. “If anyone wants to be my follower, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Matthew 11:28-30. “Come to me all of 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.”
As I was reading the passage from Mark, chapter eight, where Jesus tells us to take up our cross and follow him, I thought, "What a nearly impossible task he has set for us."
Following Jesus and doing his will is not an easy thing. For example, one of my favorite passages is in Matthew 25, where Jesus simply tells us that to follow him we must care for those who are hungry, thirsty, naked, or imprisoned. We must love our neighbors. We must love our enemies.
However, we read in Matthew 11 that Jesus says his yoke is easy and his burden is light. How can this be? On the one hand he is asking us to do the nearly impossible. On the other, he is telling us that his requirements and burdens are light.
The only way these two passages make sense for me is that Jesus is telling us that he wants us to do wonderful things in his name. And with this request, comes a promise that he will give us his Holy Spirit. Serving God, under the power of the Holy Spirit, makes all of these tasks doable. We provide for others because God has empowered us with his Holy Spirit. We serve a risen Christ through this powerful spirit within us. And the good news is that God has provided us with a loving and caring spirit that strengthens and empowers us to do difficult tasks in difficult times.
We also find that Jesus has called on us to cast all of our burdens and doubts on him. Giving our grief and sins to God frees us for willful and enthusiastic obedience in following Jesus and caring for others. Through the power of the Holy Spirit which dwells within us, we are able to do good deeds in the name of Christ. Giving nourishment to the hungry and thirsty or visiting those that are shut in or imprisoned becomes an act of genuine love and obedience to Christ Jesus.
Sometimes it seems a bit simplistic to believe and accept that we can give our burdens to God and that he will strengthen us and enable us to do good deeds in his name. However, as we follow our faith, we come to believe that God’s word is true. As we continue on our journey with Jesus, and with the power of the Holy Spirit, we find that we are able and encouraged to love and care for others.
There is no greater power in the universe than God’s love. Through his love, we are forgiven. We are showered with grace. We find that following Jesus and doing God’s will is a joyful and enthusiastic journey of duty and service. When we accept that doing things for others is doing things for Christ, we find our lives reflect joyful obedience to a powerful and loving Savior. This is God’s good news. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are guaranteed access to our heavenly father and to his heavenly kingdom. Our life on this earth is but a journey. At the end of that journey we arrive home and receive our God’s reward of everlasting life.
_______________________________
Do you find yourself longing for genuine love and companionship? If you’re ready to seek God’s love, I invite you to come and worship with us. We are fueled by God’s wonderful promise of unfailing love. Please accept our invitation to a morning of wonderful music and great fellowship. And, of course, hot coffee and cookies.
__________________
We are worshipping at the Fontana United Methodist Church during September 2024.
We will worship at the Parker UMC during October 2024.
We will worship at the Beagle UMC during November 2024.
All Sunday services are at 10 a.m.
We serve communion on the first Sunday of the month.
All are welcome in God’s House.
Dr. Bascom Ratliff (913-710-5748)
Pastor, Parker/Beagle/Fontana
United Methodist Churches
Yorumlar