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

At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.  Even so, Father, for it seemed good in Your sight.  All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father.  Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.  Come to Me, all 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."

- Matthew 11:25-30

In yesterday's reading, Jesus continued His response to those who scornfully look upon John the Baptist (who is now imprisoned) for his ascetic and rough life, and who have also criticized Him for eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners:  "But to what shall I liken this generation?  It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, and saying:  'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;  We mourned to you, and you did not lament.'  For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'  But wisdom is justified by her children."  Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent:  "Woe to you, Chorazin!  Woe to you, Bethsaida!  For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.  But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.  And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.  But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you."

 "At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.  Even so, Father, for it seemed good in Your sight."  The wise and prudent are those who criticize Christ and John the Baptist for their different ways of bearing the Kingdom into the world, their holiness that is not in conformity with the wisdom of the world, but strange and different -- each for different reasons.  In yesterday's reading, Jesus criticizes particularly religious leaders and compares them to playing children, who are dismayed equally that John is too ascetic and rough, and Jesus has sat at table, eating and drinking with tax collectors and other sinners.  So the wisdom and holiness of the Kingdom that is present goes unrecognized by the "wise and prudent."  Instead it has been revealed to babes.  My study bible quotes Theophylact as noting that God has hidden the mysteries from the wise of the world, not out of malice, but because of their own unworthiness.  They are the ones who trust their own wisdom and judgment rather than God.  God withholds this understanding from those who'd scorn it so they don't receive a greater condemnation:  to understand and refuse is to encounter a deeper judgment.  Jesus praises the wisdom of the Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for the surprising ways in which Jesus' ministry is unfolding.  He is emphatically pronouncing it good.  Other commentators such as Origen tell us that the "babes" are the Gentiles, unwise in the ways of the God of Israel.

"All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father.  Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him."   This is a profound theological statement, an understanding of Logos, the Son.  Whatever His mission, Christ has had it fully placed into His hands by the Father, and it is He alone who reveals the Father.  It is, in fact, Christ alone who decides to whom the Father will be revealed.

 "Come to Me, all 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."  Who are those to whom this great mission will be revealed, by whom it will be received?  Jesus invites those burdened with toil and struggle, and those who suffer.  What He emphasizes here is His own humility, an offering to the "babes" who are perhaps buffeted by the world.  My study bible says that Jesus' yoke is submission to the Kingdom of God.  A yoke, it says, could be seen as a sign of hardship, burdens, and responsibilities.  But Christ's yoke is different, it's easy because it conveys the power of God at work in each person.  And the reward is much greater than one's personal effort.  Cyril of Alexandria has commented that this offer is to everyone:  to the Jews who struggle in bearing the demands of the Law, and to the pagan Gentiles, who struggle with idolatry and the kinds of worldly power and sin it brings.  A yoke and burden also characterize language of kings in terms of the tax and tribute they levy on their subjects.

The harsh criticism and harsher reception that both John the Baptist and Jesus will receive is addressed in Jesus' speech here.  He speaks of being gentle and lowly of heart.  This sort of gentle is the type of "meekness" that doesn't engage in aggression for its own sake -- the ideal of strength under control and grace.  Christ's authority is complete, as He's also stated, but it's the authority of grace, of the Kingdom of God, of love.  To take on this yoke is very different from the worldly sort of power that demands adherence to its expectations.  Both John and Jesus will be murdered at the hands of the state, but both offend in particular the religious authorities and leaders of the temple who jealously guard their places.  I think there's a very canny and deep wisdom in Jesus' statement that He's gentle and lowly of heart, and that He calls to those who labor and are heavy laden.  This is not a call to the power brokers, the ones who call the shots.  It's a call from One who is gentle and lowly of heart to the others out there who are the humble of the world.  What He offers isn't something that appeals to those enamored with a kind of worldly power and status that will always have contempt for what is humble.  Jesus brings a Kingdom into the world that stands the values of worldly kingdoms on their head -- that offers a kind of love and grace that is inherently at odds with the "ruler of this world."   He will teach His disciples that to lord it over others is the opposite of His hierarchical structure.  Jesus' power is to heal, it's for community.  It draws in the excluded and seeks to repair.  It calls those by faith and by adoption who don't belong because of worldly status.  It's a voluntary kingdom, and does not coerce.  This is an entirely different sort of power to manipulative power.  It's the power of love.  It's not the power of shoulds and musts and political sloganing, and it's not the power of the crowds or mobs.  It's the power that comes through "gentleness" and humility, the wisdom that manifests through "outsiders" like Jesus and John the Baptist, and it calls to those who can see past the false promises of power that binds and manipulates and burdens for the self-glorification of others, and misses the glory of God who is love and truth.  It's in the contempt for the humble that worldly power is exposed, and Christ's life -- and death -- will surely play this out.  Have we got the heart to receive Him?  

Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me

Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, "Are You the coming One, or do we look for another?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."

- Matthew 11:1-6

In yesterday's reading, Jesus completed His discourse to the Twelve Apostles, before sending them out on their first mission. The readings and commentary for this section began with Like sheep having no shepherd, in which He appointed the Twelve. The next is The kingdom of heaven is at hand, in which He taught them what to preach. Then He taught them, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." Next, He taught the value of fearless witness, even in a time of betrayal; He said, "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." Finally, in yesterday's reading, He taught about the times they are entering, what it will be to be sheep in the midst of wolves. Betrayal is everywhere, and He quotes from the prophet Micah. But each must carry his cross to be worthy of Him; there may be very hard choices to make. See Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.

Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, "Are You the coming One, or do we look for another?" My study bible says of this passage: "According to the Church Fathers, John the baptist asks this question in order to guide his own disciples to Jesus. It is also possible, according to modern interpretations, that John thought of the Messiah as judge only and was perplexed by the mercy of Jesus." We know that many disciples came from John the Baptist to Jesus, and that John's mission was the preparation of the people for the Messiah. Since John is in prison, it is reasonable that he asks Jesus this question; he is coming to the end of his own mission of prophesy. But the gospel also gives us new reason to take Jesus' words to heart that He delivered to the Twelve before they are sent out: they are sheep in the midst of wolves. It is a time of betrayal, and the gospel is not welcome. The words of Jesus that we have been reading in the past several readings come to light more deeply in the face of John's poignant question, and his circumstances.

Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them." My study bible notes, "Isaiah predicted that at the coming of the Messiah the blind would see, the lame walk, lepers would be cleansed, the deaf would hear (see Luke 7:22). Jesus fulfills the prophesies of Isaiah, bearing the fruit which only the Messiah can produce." For reference to passages from Isaiah, see Isaiah 29:18, 35:4-6, 61:1. The great emphasis on the last phrase here ("the poor have the gospel preached to them") is made more strongly in the readings that have come just before, in the sending out of the Twelve on their first mission. It marks a new period of the gospel being spread, even as John is in prison.

"And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." Here Jesus provides the hint of the judgment that perhaps John is expecting. This is the way the judgment is to happen: the gospel, the good news of salvation, must be preached everywhere. A new period is beginning with the sending out of the Twelve Apostles on their first mission, and a handing off from the work of John, the greatest of the prophets, to the missionaries and evangelists and disciples and apostles of Christ.

In some sense, this beginning that we see here, of the image of the first "missionaries," the Apostles, being sent out is the seed of the time in which we find ourselves today. Christ Himself sends out those first, as He tells John that the gospel is being sent out and preached to the poor. We recall the first words of the Beatitudes about the "poor in spirit," and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. It's all about what we want the most, what we are willing to exchange for this good news. In today's reading, we have a handing off from the period of the prophets - of whom Jesus will say that John is the greatest - to the new period of the gospel. Tomorrow's reading will touch upon Jesus' vision of John the Baptist, and the times in which He finds Himself, of betrayal of the good. When Jesus teaches in today's reading, "Blessed is he who is not offended because of me," He speaks of Himself as stumbling block, something that scandalizes. We are all here to make a choice, and He is here to offer it to us. Elsewhere, the evangelist John will say that "the light shines in the darkness." Into a dark time, Jesus has indicated, He is sending out His apostles, those who bear the kingdom and bring it near to others. He is the light shining in the darkness, His word reaches out to all of us, and even to John sitting in a dark prison cell. We are still in this time of the light of love reaching out into a place where violence, manipulation, betrayal and cruelty may be the norm. How does it reach to you today? Can we hear the words? The darkness doesn't "comprehend" -- is He a stumbling block? Nevertheless, the light can't be overtaken, and still shines. How does it reach to you today? Does it illumine something you need to see?

Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me

And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."

As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. for this is he of whom it is written:

'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,

Who will prepare Your way before You.'

Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

- Matthew 11:2-15

In yesterday's reading, the lectionary gave us Matthew's introduction of John the Baptist and his ministry, proclaiming that "The kingdom of heaven is at hand!" John teaches repentance and his baptism is for this purpose: to prepare for the kingdom that is "breaking in" to their midst, and the One who is to come. The "One" will not baptize merely with water, as did John, but with the Holy Spirit and fire. John has scathing remarks for those in the leadership of the temple who come to him, and he is a popular preacher with all the people of Judea. The lectionary directs us now, in today's reading, to the time when John the Baptist is imprisoned by Herod Antipas, and Jesus' ministry is spreading and growing in its popularity. At this time in Matthew's Gospel, Jesus has just sent out the Twelve Apostles on their first mission.

And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" My study bible notes here: "According to the Church Fathers, John the Baptist asks this question in order to guide his own disciples to Jesus. It is also possible, according to modern interpretations, that John thought of the Messiah as judge only and was perplexed by the mercy of Jesus." Certainly it is true that many followers and disciples of John became Jesus' disciples. It is considered that several of the Apostles were John the Baptist's disciples first. The Gospel of John teaches that John the Baptist pointed to Jesus, teaching his disciples, "Behold the lamb of God!" Whatever the reason for his question, Jesus' ministry is far different from the general messianic expectations of the people; it is a revelation of God - something that will always expand our understanding and defy our expectations.

Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." A note here reads, "Isaiah predicted that at the coming of the Messiah the blind would see, the lame walk, lepers would be cleansed, the deaf would hear (see Luke 7:22). Jesus fulfills the prophecies of Isaiah, bearing the fruit which only the Messiah can produce." Jesus answer reassures John through the fulfillment of prophecy. Despite His unexpected ministry, Jesus is still the fulfillment of prophecy, of that which has been seen and revealed through the prophets. So we are at once in holy territory: the revelation of the unexpected, and its complete vision as that which was prophesied. This is the nature of prophesy - despite what we think we know, a revelation of holiness is infinitely creative, and will expand our understanding of what we think we know!

As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. for this is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'" Jesus speaks in defense of John the Baptist. In the readings of yesterday and the day before, we read of John the Baptist's clothing and appearance: he wore clothing of camel hair, a leather belt around his waist. He ate the things of the wild: "wild honey and locusts." John was not a "reed shaken by the wind" nor a "man clothed in soft garments," and now he is imprisoned by the king. He was a man who devoted his life to the kingdom and its proclamation, and to preparing everyone for its time. Jesus confirms that John himself is the fulfillment of prophecy, the messenger who comes before the One, the Messiah, to proclaim His kingdom. While John and Jesus are two different "types" - the one criticized for his severe asceticism, the other for His "gluttony," Jesus' words assure His audience that they are both the fulfillment of prophecy. This is a testimony to the infinite creativity of the Holy Spirit, the promise that holiness is a fulfillment of every individual's potential, an addition to and greater manifestation of the personal which comes from God's image in each.

Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. A note reads, "Suffers violence may mean that the Kingdom is under attack by opponents of John the Baptist and Jesus, or other violent men -- messianic pretenders trying to bring in the Kingdom by using military force against the Romans. An ancient patristic interpretation is that the Kingdom itself breaks into this world 'violently' (10:34). For instance, through powerful miracles, alert and daring people take hold of it aggressively. Whoever is a hearer and lover of the Word of God takes the Kingdom 'by force,' exerting all earnestness and desire to enter the reality of the Kingdom. For this martyrs shed their blood, making their confession of faith, being 'made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men' (1 Cor. 4:9). The Kingdom of Heaven belongs not to the sleeping or lazy. Rather, the violent take it by force." As John himself was no "reed shaken by the wind," no "man clothed in soft garments" fit for kings' houses, so this kingdom is not borne by those who live soft lives, who mince words, who hide behind a mask of conformity or the praise of other men. Rather this kingdom is breaking through into the world, and supported by those willing to stand up and seize it and bear it for themselves. Jesus' Apostles are not those from highly privileged backgrounds. Jesus as Son of Man says earlier in Matthew's Gospel that "foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests," but that He "has no place to lay his head." This kingdom is not that which is spoon-fed in high places of softness and decorum, but it is for those who grasp it "breaking in" to their midst, in uncomfortably powerful ways for those in leadership and positions of authority. It is for those whose eyes can be opened, and who can see what hypocrites cannot. This, it seems to me, is always a radical proposition that will shake up our comfortable and accepted patterns and ways of thinking. Indeed, repentance itself, for which John the Baptist has called, is a direct call for a new way of thinking, for changing one's mind. It is not an easy transition to this kingdom; the fulfillment of prophesy is a matter of great revelation - and not merely the gratifying of our expectations and understanding. This is the sword Jesus brings, which comes between those who can accept, can see this spiritually, and those who cannot and will not.

"For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come." A note here reads, "The identification between John the Baptist and Elijah is quite explicit. It is not John who ascribes to himself the role of Elijah, but Jesus who assigns him this place in the history of salvation. John fulfilled the mission of Elijah (Luke 1:17, 76) and his destiny was similar to Elijah's. Yet John is honored over Elijah, for Jesus in comparing the prophets said, 'There has not risen one greater than John' (v. 11)." John's status as a prophet is special, remarkable - his is the fulfillment of the spirit of Elijah that was to return to proclaim the kingdom and the coming of the Messiah, the Anointed One." Those who can receive it are those who can grasp this kingdom out of the appearance of the conventional and expected, who can seize what is there spiritually before them, and the understanding it conveys.

"He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" How does this kingdom come, and how is it grasped by the "violent who take it by force?" It requires spiritual sight and hearing. If you can hear the message, if you can grasp this gift, then you may enter this kingdom. This is not a call to the complacent, or to those who strive merely for the praise of others, but to those who can be called out of their lives, out of the ordinary, and who can hear what is there to hear. It is for those who can understand this baptism of the Holy Spirit and its fire - and who are set ablaze with its passion and love and wisdom. It is for those who can seize the day, the moment, the hour, and recognize their place in that kingdom that "breaks through" into the midst of our daily reality, and grasp their place in it. Every day, every hour, it calls us. What fire blazes in your heart? How does the Spirit call you to be what God asks of you - and to break into that kingdom and grasp what it holds for you? John the Baptist was not a soft reed, and neither is Jesus - nor are His followers. Let us remember that His mission is not to those who will not grasp it for themselves and hold it dear, but for those who truly desire it in the depths of their being, who are not offended at those through whom it comes, and who can truly live in its fire.