Word@Work Luke195 - Luke 11:46
Published: Tue, 09/21/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
RELIEF FROM OPPRESSION
Luke 11:46 Jesus replied, "And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them." (NIV)
Christless religion, in its many forms, has a common central feature: if you obey the regulations, you will be accepted. Some also seem to offer a balance of good versus bad, in which acceptance is achieved by doing more good than bad. Jesus lived among people who believed that those who followed the religious rules perfectly were most loved by God, and many tried to do that. Their leaders seemed to specialise in inventing new ways to please God; but their rules became impossible burdens.
They pointed their fingers at the people, making them slaves to unnecessary rules, while not lifting a finger to help them. So Jesus pointed His finger at them in rebuke. He was distressed that the leaders seemed indifferent to the burdens they were loading onto others, without in any way coming alongside them and helping to lift the load. By contrast, Jesus was there to help. He knew that nobody could get right with God by themselves; they needed a Saviour; and that was His job. As Jesus said, in Matthew 11:28-30: "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."
That is what distinguishes faith in Christ from all other ways to God. No wonder that Jesus, when He is properly advertised, is such Good News. Where else do you hear of God coming to help weak, ignorant, oppressed, guilty, trapped sinners by becoming the sacrifice to atone for their sins, giving them eternal life? Jesus announced His mission in Luke 4:18-19: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour." That is the person who has set us free to worship and serve Him! Surely then, we must announce Him to others and stop being judgemental about their behaviour. Without His help their hearts cannot be different: but with Christ, all things are possible.
Prayer: Wonderful God. Thank You for Your heart of love and Your willingness to help us because You know that we cannot help ourselves. Forgive my futile attempts to move on from the past without Your merciful cleansing, and to improve the future without Your wisdom and power. Please help me to realise afresh what a wonderful Saviour I have in Jesus, and what good news He will be if I recommend Him to others. So, may I announce relief from oppressive burdens as I proclaim Jesus as the Saviour of the world. In His Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Christless religion, in its many forms, has a common central feature: if you obey the regulations, you will be accepted. Some also seem to offer a balance of good versus bad, in which acceptance is achieved by doing more good than bad. Jesus lived among people who believed that those who followed the religious rules perfectly were most loved by God, and many tried to do that. Their leaders seemed to specialise in inventing new ways to please God; but their rules became impossible burdens.
They pointed their fingers at the people, making them slaves to unnecessary rules, while not lifting a finger to help them. So Jesus pointed His finger at them in rebuke. He was distressed that the leaders seemed indifferent to the burdens they were loading onto others, without in any way coming alongside them and helping to lift the load. By contrast, Jesus was there to help. He knew that nobody could get right with God by themselves; they needed a Saviour; and that was His job. As Jesus said, in Matthew 11:28-30: "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."
That is what distinguishes faith in Christ from all other ways to God. No wonder that Jesus, when He is properly advertised, is such Good News. Where else do you hear of God coming to help weak, ignorant, oppressed, guilty, trapped sinners by becoming the sacrifice to atone for their sins, giving them eternal life? Jesus announced His mission in Luke 4:18-19: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour." That is the person who has set us free to worship and serve Him! Surely then, we must announce Him to others and stop being judgemental about their behaviour. Without His help their hearts cannot be different: but with Christ, all things are possible.
Prayer: Wonderful God. Thank You for Your heart of love and Your willingness to help us because You know that we cannot help ourselves. Forgive my futile attempts to move on from the past without Your merciful cleansing, and to improve the future without Your wisdom and power. Please help me to realise afresh what a wonderful Saviour I have in Jesus, and what good news He will be if I recommend Him to others. So, may I announce relief from oppressive burdens as I proclaim Jesus as the Saviour of the world. In His Name. Amen.
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