Audio/Video podcast covering Matthew 11:
Audio Part 1: https://soundcloud.com/walking-as-christ/matthew-11-pt-1-the-body
Audio Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/walking-as-christ/matthew-11-pt-2
Audio Part 3: https://soundcloud.com/walking-as-christ/matthew-11-pt-3-the-body
Video Part 1: https://youtu.be/jObwcdtWLys
Video Part 2: https://youtu.be/Dbny94WQl-c
Video Part 3: https://youtu.be/KP00S4V6AuM
And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
Jesus just completed commissioning His disciples to go;
•Preach “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”
•Heal the sick
•Cleanse the lepers
•Raise the dead
•Cast out devils
All according to Guidelines that force the disciples to
Trust God to provide all their needs while they serve Him in the world and NOT to rely on things they provide for themselves.
Jesus continued to go preach in the Galilean cities, not relaxing while His disciples go do the work of God, but instead He sent His disciples to go preach and He also is going to preach as well.
Jesus was obedient to the mission of the Heavenly Father to draw men to repentance and the preaching of the Kingdom!
Jesus kept Himself busy bringing the Word of the Lord to the people as His disciples were also doing.
Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
John the Baptist wants to know;
“Are you the Messiah(the expected one/the one the scriptures prophesy of) or should we be looking for someone else?”
Remember; John baptized Jesus and mentioned in that time that he needs to be baptized of Jesus, expressing His Faith that Jesus actually is the Messiah/expected one. John the baptist clearly had faith in that time that Jesus was the fulfillment of old testament prophecies, but now it seems like something is causing him to doubt.
John was preparing the way for the ministry of Jesus Christ, but at this very point he is in prison and possibly doubting if Jesus is the Christ/Messiah.
Because John had Faith that Jesus is the Messiah, he was likely awaiting his Deliverance from prison and the Deliverance of Israel.
The “hour of temptation” or “time of trial” is when people often second guess things. John was possibly seeking to have His faith in Jesus Christ strengthened and confirmed by sending His disciples to hear directly from Jesus that He actually is the Messiah.
Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, 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.
Jesus is responding to the disciples of John the baptist, telling them to report back to John what they hear and see.
- The blind receive their sight(blind now see)
•The lame(unable to walk normally because of an injury or illness affecting the leg or foot) walk(lame now walk)
•Lepers are cleansed
•Deaf hear
•Dead are raised
•Poor have the gospel preached to them
Let us consider what the old testament prophecies said:
Isaiah 35:5 – Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Isaiah 35:6 – Then shall the lame man leap as an hart(deer), and the tongue of the dumb(mute) sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
Isaiah 29:18-19 – And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.
19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 61:1-3 – The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
John being a prophet Himself should know that these signs would be done by the Expected One/Messiah to come. Jesus makes it clear that He is the fulfillment of these prophecies by showing John through His disciples the miracles that they witness done by Him.
And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
Whoever shall not be offended in Jesus Christ, Blessed is that man. Blessed is the person who continues to Trust in Jesus through; delay and disappointment. Blessed is the person who receives that Jesus is the Messiah though the way He has come and began His ministry on earth was not exactly as they had imagined. Blessed is the person who will receive that Jesus is the Christ through what He is doing in this time. Blessed is the person who will overcome their own thoughts about how the Messiah would come and instead see and accept that the life Jesus is living is proving that His is the Christ.
And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
Remember when John the baptist began preaching; the people from Jerusalem, Judea, and all around the Jordan came to the wilderness to hear him preach and to be baptized of him.
Jesus is now questioning the people:
•Did they go out to the wilderness to see a reed shaken with the wind, meaning an unstable/inconstant man. A man who was swayed this way and that way by every blast of popular feeling.
•Did they go out to the wilderness to see a man with soft clothes or sharply dressed man.
•Did they go out to the wilderness to see a prophet?
Jesus is assuring the people that John is not a man who is preaching one thing and then another tomorrow. Jesus is letting the people know that John is firm in what he was standing for and preaching.
Jesus reminded the people that John was not a man finely dressed in soft clothing, but instead he was dressed in Camel’s hair wearing a leather girdle(waist belt used to carry things) and lived on a diet of Locust and wild honey.
Jesus adds how people who wear soft clothing are in kings houses. John the baptist was preaching and baptizing in the desert where he was clearly living among the elements not in the home of royalty.
Jesus knows the people did come to see a prophet and the consensus among the people was that John indeed was a prophet. Jesus helped the people to understand that John was greater and more excellent than any of the prophets before him. The prophets in the past prophesied that the Messiah would arrive in a time to come but John; declared the coming of the Messiah, saw Him himself, and showed Him to others.
John witnessed the Spirit of God descend on the expected one like a Dove as he baptized Him. John essentially had preference over all prophets to declare the coming of the Messiah, administrate the ordinance of baptism (that continues to this day), and to baptize the messiah himself.
For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Jesus here makes it clear that John the baptist is the Messenger who was prophesied about in Malachi 3:1 – “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me:..”
John was that messenger preparing the way before the Lord.
John:
- Was a messenger sent with the Word of the Lord that he then proclaimed to the people.
•Was born before Jesus to prepare the way for Him.
•From what we can tell, started his public ministry before Jesus preparing the way for the Lord.
•Preached repentance, began baptisms, and preached of the coming Messiah which arranged things perfectly for Jesus to begin His public ministry.
Jesus here helps us to understand clearly that; in all history, there has not been raised up by God any Greater prophet than John the Baptist.
Remember John:
•Was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb.
•Lived peculiar life worthy of being an example.
•Was the harbinger(person showing what is to come) of Christ and the preparer of His way.
John was imprisoned and killed before the reign of Jesus Christ was established through His death, burial, and resurrection. The Kingdom of Heaven was among the disciples/apostles of Christ who lived during the life of Jesus and after He ascended back into Heaven.
John likely longed to/desired to live in the times that the apostles were apart of with Jesus Christ, but he had already been executed. John and all the prophets before him would have likely Loved to live through the time that they had been prophesying was soon to come!
The apostles had the greatest advantage of being able to walk with Jesus Christ Himself.
1 Peter 1
10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
From the time that John the baptist began to preach until that present time; the Kingdom of Heaven(the Gospel and the ministry of it) was preached and many of the hears eagerly rushed towards it. Many from all of the surrounding area came to hear the preaching of John the baptist and were baptized of him. Many heard of the miracles Jesus has been doing and the Word He has been preaching and were forming large crowds around Him.
It has been said that the Kingdom of Heaven in that time was as a city attacked on all sides by those who were eager to take possession of it.
It is also true that the Kingdom of Heaven was enduring persecutions in this time. There were multiple groups of enemies that opposed and contradicted the preaching of the Kingdom. John is in Prison at this time, and soon to follow will be people plotting to Kill Jesus Christ, the minister of the Kingdom of Heaven Himself. It can be understood that the leaders and rulers of the time wanted to suppress or restain the Kingdom of Heaven, but it will soon break free of those who attempt to restain it.
“and the violent take it by force” is to speak of;
The publicans, harlots, and Gentile sinners who hearing the preaching of the Kingdom were eager and zealous to obtain or grasp it.
There is; Peace, Reconciliation, and Blessing in the Kingdom of Heaven so it is understood that people such as publications, harlots, and gentile sinners would eagerly go after it as men would snatch and carry off as their own the spoil of a conquered city.
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Pt. 2
For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
The prophets of the past prophesied of the Messiah to come. John spake of the Messiah as if He has already come. John spoke clear to be understood words that the Messiah is here and he directed the people to Him.
Jesus here makes it clear for all the people who are willing to receive it, that John the Baptist is Elias/Elijah.
Malachi 4:5 says; “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:”
Luke 1:17 says; “And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Jesus is urging the hearers of what He is saying to listen and take heed.
John is more than a prophet and had greater advantage than any prophet of the past.
John is Elijah
He that hears let him hear, and he that understandeth let him understand what Jesus has just taught.
But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
Imagine groups of Eastern City children sitting together at the entrance of markets making little shows among themselves. One time doing a show of a wedding and playing the flute expecting people passing by to dance and rejoice with them. Another time they beat their chest in form of lamentation expecting people passing by to weep with them.
Imagine now that the children sitting at the entrances of the marketplaces making these shows, complain when the people passing by do not comply with their demands of rejoicing and lamenting.
Jesus uses this imagery to explain how many of the Jews were in His lifetime and the lifetime of John the baptist.
The people were loud with complaining that John the baptist did not eat bread or drink wine as we learn the Gospel of Luke 7:33 –
“For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.”
The Angel Gabriel foretold Zacharias the Dad of John the baptist that his son would not drink wine before he was born in the Gospel of Luke 1:15 – “For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.”
John was a peculiar man, set apart for God and the people living their common everyday lives clearly expressed issue that John was not living like them.
They went so far to say that John has a demon!
#PeopleofGod #PersecutingAmanofGod. #SMH
Keep obeying the will of God in your life.
You do not need to assimilate to the populous.
Obey God rather than man.
If the people around you profess to have their faith in God and Jesus Christ but they live ordinally you do not need to be like them to fulfill God’s will.
If God called you to a higher standard of living, #ObeyGOD.
Publicans and sinners came and sat with Jesus as He ate and He did not refuse them. He got hungry and thirsty and lived among the people and the people went so far as to call Him Gluttonous(a excessively greedy eater) and a drunkard.
Through this passage Jesus illustrated how the generation of people(Jews) in that time were constantly finding fault and seemingly unpleasable.
Excerpt from a Holman study;
“The reference to wisdom’s children parallels the reference to the Messiah’s works and implies that Jesus’ claims are vindicated by the acts described in
Matthew 11: 4-6 – “Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, 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. 6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”
Between the time of the Old Testament and the New testament, Jewish interpreters elaborated on
Proverbs 8: 32-36(speaking of wisdom) – “32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. 36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.”
And taught that wisdom was an eternal being who served as God’s agent in the creation of the world. By identifying Himself with personified wisdom, Jesus hinted that He is the eternal One(Messiah) through whom the Father created everything.”
Reference John 1:3 – “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, 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 unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
Jesus recently sent His disciples to go;
•Preach “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”
•Heal the sick
•Cleanse the lepers
•Raise the dead
•Cast out devils
He then dealt with John’s disciples; making clear the works that He has done that confirm Him as the Messiah.
Next He spoke to the multitudes, helping them to understand the significance of John the baptist and His role in the plan of God.
Now Jesus is speaking to the people of Unrepentant lands;
woe-ing them, expressing His grief/distress with their unwillingness to believe and turn from their sins. Jesus scolds these cities, criticizing them sharply and warning them of the wrath to come.
The exact location of Chorazin is not certain today, but we know that Bethsaida was the land of Andrew and Peter. It is a blessing that they made it out of that land, accepting the call of Jesus Christ to become His disciples.
Jesus warns these lands of Chorazin and Bethsaida that if the people who were living in Tyre and Sidon (in the past time) had the blessing of witnessing the ministry of Jesus Christ and seeing the miracles He has done like they did, that the people of Tyre and Sidon would have Repented of their sins and showed evidence of Repentance and lamenting by sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
Photo of man wrapped in sackcloth.
Sackcloth was a coarse material usually made of black goat’s hair, making it quite uncomfortable to wear. The ashes signified desolation and ruin. Sackcloth and ashes were used as an outward sign of one’s inward condition. Such a symbol made one’s change of heart visible and demonstrated the sincerity of one’s grief and/or repentance.
It is understood that the cities of Tyre and Sidon had reputation of being a land of heathen and idolatrous people who lacked morals and moderation/restraint. They likely lived in luxury with lack of respect towards God. It is understood that because of the sinfulness of the land a lack of repentance, the people who lived there will be sent to hell at the time of judgement.
The people who lived in the land of Tyre and Sidon will face a lesser degree of eternal punishment than the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida because they did not have the advantage of the ministry of Jesus Christ. Chorazin and Bethsaida are in Big trouble at the day of Judgement because they had the ministry of Jesus Christ Himself before their eyes and in their ears but many still lack the faith and come to repentance.
Chorazin and Bethsaida were Blessed with the ministry of Christ, Tyre and Sidon were not. Because the Lord had given so much to the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida in this time and they did not receive it, they will be judged much more severely.
The same is true for us today.
Consider the teaching of Jesus Christ here in the Gospel of Luke chapter 12 –
“42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
Those that do not believe in Jesus Christ and Repent for their sins, according to the Word of God, they can not make heaven and will face eternal punishment in hell.
Here we see that those who know God, who learn His will, knowing it, but do not prepare themselves for the return of Jesus Christ, do not obey the will of the Lord will face a more harsh punishment eternally in hell with the unbelievers.
Because we know the will of God, we are responsible to do the will of God. If a person continues learning of the Lord and His will, but continues to refuse to do His will, that person will face a more harsh punishment.
Chorazin and Bethsaida had Jesus Christ Himself the Messiah but rejected Him, they had the Gospel, they had the miracles, and the convictions of their own minds but still did not turn from their sins unto the ways of the Lord and put their Faith in Jesus.
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Pt. 3
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
Capernaum at this time is understood as “the village of comfort”. Based on the evidence we have today it is thought to have been situated in a high place, and is the headquarters of the ministry of Jesus Christ.
Jesus did numerous miracles in the land, such as; cured the centurion’s servant, recovered Peter’s mother-in-law from a fever, healed the man sick of a palsy, raised Jairus’s daughter from the dead, made whole the woman that had a bloody issue, opened the eyes of two blind men, and cast out a devil from a dumb man, possessed with one.
This land had such great advantage but we understand many of the people did not Repent and Believe Jesus. As will happen with all Unrepentant people, Jesus speaks to how the land/unrepentant people will be brought down to hell. Not only will the people go to hell, but the city itself is to also be destroyed.
Likewise, it has been said that; Not one stone is left upon the other in Chorazin and Bethsaida.
The land of Sodom and Gomorrah is known for the unnatural lust of its inhabitants and all manner of evil in it. God then destroyed the entire place, raining fire a brimstone from heaven destroying all the people left in it.
Jesus leads to the point that; if all miracles done though His ministry that were done in capernaum were done in Sodom, the people would have repented and believed Him and the land would never have been destroyed and would still be around unto today.
Because Capernaum received such revelation, they will endure a more harsh judgement than the land of Sodom(one of the most perverse lands in all of the Holy Bible).
The judgement of the Lord against sin is more tolerable for people whom little revelation is given. Those who receive much revelation bear greater responsibility and greater judgement for their unbelief.
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
Jesus has just finished woe-ing these unrepentant cities where He has done many miracles. One could imagine that Jesus at this time would be a bit distressed because the people were not coming to repentance as they should have been.
Instead, Jesus is Abundantly thankful to God His and our Father for revealing Him to those who were not so highly esteemed among people and left to their own darkness and blindness those who were known among the people as wise and prudent.
Our Lord was Thankful unto God the Ruler of Heaven and Earth for establishing His Kingdom with seemingly unqualified persons.
Those who were so knowledgeable likely lacked the humble heart needed to receive the Truth that Jesus was bringing to the world.
The Lord did not take the easy way by establishing His Kingdom with people who were the most qualified and suited to be the ministers of the Gospel. Jesus was thankful to take the more challenging route to start with people who were not of Prudent reputation and not of High esteem.
Jesus started with those who would be looked down upon by people and blue collar rough men and would groom them to become the Apostles of the Gospel that leads unto eternal life.
The thing these unqualified babes had over the wise and prudent well learned people of the time is that they had Receptive Hearts, that were open to learn this Truth that was so hard for the highly esteemed to accept.
The Lord Loves an obedient heart regardless what condition He finds us in. Remember how Peter and Andrew left their fishing nets when they were called by the Lord???
They were not the most qualified and they probably would need more grooming than others to become good representatives of the Lord, BUT they were ready to Follow Jesus, learn of Him, learn His teachings/commandments, and be conformed to His will.
The people who were well trained in the law would have likely made excellent representatives of the Lord among the world, but they were likely too stiff necked to receive the teachings of Jesus Christ at this time. They likely thought they knew better than Jesus, they were likely reluctant to forsake their current understanding and lives to learn things anew through Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Jesus received His unlikely disciples from the Lord, but he realizes that the heart of a young child(desiring to be taught without any contradicting understanding of their own) that they have is exactly what is most important to the mission the Father has sent Him to fulfill. Jesus knows that God knows best and if using these men of low esteem among the people is God’s will, then Jesus is willing to accept the challenge and fulfill the will of His Father.
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Paraphrased excerpt of Gill’s Exposition:
“All persons are delivered to Jesus Christ, angels and men. Good angels are delivered to Him, to be confirmed in Him, as their leader, and to be made use of by Him. Spirits and evil spirits, which are subject to His disciples, are under Him, and at His command and disposal; and their subjection to His disciples is owing to His power over them, which He communicated to them. All the elect of God are delivered to Him, to be kept and saved by Him. All the babes and little ones, to whom it was the Father’s will to reveal the mysteries of grace, are in His care and charge; all power in heaven, and in earth, are given unto Him”
Jesus continues how only the Father knows and accurately understands Him(His Son). The perfection and glory of Jesus is likely not fully comprehensible to human minds. There is possibly so much depth to all things concerning Jesus that we just have a glimpse of today such as; His role as mediator between God and men, His sufferings, and His works.
There is no greater understanding of God the Father than the understanding that Jesus Christ has of Him. Understanding of both God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ is available to those who He purposefully reveals Himself to.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
The Lord Jesus Christ is extending His invitation to those that are burdened, carrying a heavy load and offering a rest.
The way of Jesus Christ is not a stressful life, the way of Jesus Christ is not a life full of burden. The way a Jesus Christ is a life of fruitfulness, a life of fulfilment to the calling of God.
The everyday life that many live concerned about the cares of this world can bring a person much burden. Living for self and worldly accomplishments is unfruitful to the Kingdom of God.
The way of Jesus Christ is a life that has taken both hands off of the cares of this world and now lives solely for the purpose of fulfilling the will of God. There is much; rest, joy, and fulfillment knowing that you are living for your God, knowing that the motives of what you do each day are centered around Him.
As we learn of Jesus Christ as a young child, seeking how to learn how to live life with a fresh perspective according to His ways, we can find that picking up our cross and following Jesus Christ is not only is a lighter load to carry but also exceedingly more fulfilling compared to a life focused on self and worldly achievement.
Jesus is gentle with a humble heart. By following the way of the world today many people begin having proud and boastful hearts with competitive personalities always trying to do better than the next person.
He is the rest for our souls. Following after Jesus, learning His ways and starting our lives fresh according to His will and ways we too can have humble hearts and gentle personalities, living fruitful and fulfilling lives for our Lord.
The way of Jesus Christ is very far from the way of society today. To obtain this rest for our souls the way He has it planned for us, to live a life with a lighter burden than many of us carry today; we need to release our own motives and self pursuits(that we have followed often times just to keep up with society) and receive this NEW way of living, solely to fulfill the will of our Father in Heaven.
Trying to balance everyday life can be challenging. Trying to balance every day life and a life following after Jesus Christ is VERY challenging. Why? Because the Son of God did not come to this earth to teach us how to balance life for Him and life for society. The Son of God came living a way that was denial of self pursuits and fulfillment of the will of God.
The lighter burden is available for us all if we follow His example(not just the parts of His example that we like, but all of His example) by Faith with all our hearts.
“And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” 1 John 2:28