RTW 2023

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

First record of Jesus raising someone from the dead occurred early in Jesus’ ministry:

Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.

Luke 7:14-15

• A yoke was a symbol of foreign oppression in the OT, and a metaphor in Judaism for the law.
• Dietary practices in the gospels were mostly derived from Judaism, but some practices were also Greco-Roman, such as reclining.
• A Pharisee would not have associated with a sinner, especially while eating a meal. He also would not have associated much in public with women.
• Simon the Pharisee did not even offer the minimum in hospitality-washing his guest’s feet.
• Following or not following a law or custom is not what matters, love is.
• Jesus risked his reputation to love others.

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Think outside the box about how we might love others as Jesus does.