Nougat 13

Still feeling low?- God’s got REST for us. Here’s today’s Holy Nougat

“Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Isn’t it great to know that even when on the earth in physical form, Jesus was genuinely humble? Before you wonder whether I have my facts straight, let’s consider two things: a working definition of humility and biblical examples.

Some years back, I remember being advised that humility was not solely about opting against bragging; but it was more related to our intentionality to give glory to God. Strongs gives ‘low-lying’ as the definition, and offers reliance on God as the explanation. The comment qualifies reliance on God with ‘rather than self’. So did Jesus rely on God and where did he place the glory?

Matthew 5:16 tells us that when teaching the disciples how to live; Jesus was very clear that God receives the glory. And yes Jesus lived what He taught. One popular action/statement He had after performing a miraculous transformation was to tell persons to say nothing (eg Matthew 8:4; Matthew 16:20). While some may wonder why, I think it’s connected to His desire to keep the view Godward. This premise is corroborated by John 4:34; where Jesus explained to the disciples that fulfilling God’s will is His first priority.

Having established Jesus’ humility, we can critique His claim to gentleness. Although the original context uses gentle as a synonym for meek; I’d like to propose another definition. (For the word meek is somewhat absorbed in humility) Jesus’ compassion is evident in a few places – His treatment of the mothers and children who came for blessings (Mark 10:13-16); feeding the thousands of people recorded in all four gospels eg Matthew 14:13-21); resurrection of the widow’s son (7:11-17) and restoration of Bartimaeus’ sight (Mark 10:46-52), are but a few documented cases.

What this means even more practically, is that we have God’s guarantee that when we’re yoked to Jesus we are paired with One Who is committed to following God’s way; Who is God, thus giving the glory to God; and having been physically human, Who understands human frailty from this side of eternity: hunger, sickness, a parent’s love and grief. These are not just my words; Isaiah prophesied this several centuries ago (see chapter 53:4-6).

And of course the icing on the cake is our ability to find rest in Him. When we no longer have the strength to do it alone; or when we find all else fails; let’s consider the invitation to REST in Jesus:

Relying

Embracing

Seeking (Sustenance) and

Trusting in Him.

Taking Jesus yoke may result in our doing likewise perhaps; but it definitely seems to me that He can manage whatever issue we would bring. I believe that you know it too.

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May all we seek be found in Christ