December 16: The Messiah as Caregiver
♫ Music:
Day 18 - Wednesday, December 16
Title: THE MESSIAH AS CAREGIVER
Scripture: Matthew 11:30
His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.
Poetry:
December
by Susan Spear
Bulbs – these dun, dormant gifts.
The very word burst from my mouth,|
my breath rushes past my lips -
I bury five, homely rounds
inside glass houses filled with rock
and water
I blink once, twice,
and roots shoot between the rocks.
The globes bulge, split and spit
grassy spears toward the light.
I turn my back, they sprout by inches.
They rush, swell, burst, bow,
and bear white blinding blossoms
on stubborn stalks that pulse with life.
THE MESSIAH AS A KIND CAREGIVER
There are times when, like John the Baptist, at the beginning of Matthew 11, we need affirmation that Jesus is the Messiah. To quell John the Baptist’s concerns, Jesus provided a list of miracles He had performed (vs. 5). Yet, at other times, like at the end of Matthew 11, we need to be reminded of who Jesus is, along with what he has done. In an invitation to his disciples to follow Him closely Jesus focuses on who He is; on His character. In the only place in Scripture where Jesus describes his heart, he says, “I am gentle and humble in heart” (vs. 29, NIV).
He then states succinctly, “for my yoke is easy and My burden is light” (11:30, NIV). Most English translations of today’s devotional verse use the word “easy” to describe the yoke. Yet, the same word is translated elsewhere in the New Testament as “kind.” For example, “Be kind to one another” (Ephesians 4:32) and “you have tasted the kindness of the Lord” (I Peter 2:3). So, today’s devotional verse could also be translated “For my yoke is kind.”
A chapter that begins with miracles, ends with a focus on character. Jesus still quells the concerns of His followers in the same way. Sometimes, he may remind us of mighty acts he has performed in our lives. At other times, he may remind us that he is a gentle, humble, and kind Messiah that cares for us.
It is Jesus’ kindness that has comforted me in this difficult season. Along with the far-reaching impact of COVID on nearly every area of life, I am also in a season of grief over the loss of my dearest friend who died unexpectedly just a couple of months ago. Jesus has been a kind caregiving Messiah who has sent a band of people to help carry my heavy burden of grief. And I imagine, as we are all in a difficult season in light of the pandemic, that if He is caring for me, He’s also caring for you.
Reflection
Look at the artwork for today. Notice how the figure is being helped by others. Who has Jesus provided to help you carry a heavy burden, in this season or at another time? Note anyone who comes to mind so you can thank them later today. Who in your life may need your help to carry a burden? Write their names down and follow-up with them later today.
End today’s devotional by listening to the two songs. As you listen to “Your Burden is Light” by Jacob Cuevas make note of any areas in your life in which you are burdened. Pause and ask God to care for you in each area you listed. Then listen to the song from Handel’s Messiah. Let each repeated mention of “His yoke is easy, his burden is light” echo in your heart, mind, and soul.
Friend, I know these are hard times. Debilitating. Isolating. Scary.
But I also know that Jesus, Messiah of the world, is caring for you throughout each moment.
When you are overwhelmed, let Jesus, our kind Messiah, care for you.
Prayer
Jesus, I come to you tired and worn out.
I am burdened with ______ and ______.
Thank you for reminding me that you are a kind caregiver.
Lighten my load as I keep company with you.
Amen
Dr. Jamie Sanchez
Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies
Program Director, PhD Intercultural Studies
Biola University
About the Artwork:
Burden
J. Kirk Richards
2005
Oil on panel
Jesus invites us to find rest for our weary souls and surrender our cares by embracing His yoke of mercy and peace. Especially during these unprecedented and difficult times, let us be thankful that He is there to turn to and help carry our burdens.
About the Artist:
J. Kirk Richards is a favorite among admirers of contemporary spiritual artwork. His love of the textural, the poetic, and the mysterious has translated into a unique take on traditional Judeo-Christian themes. Richards attributes much of his love for the arts to an early emphasis on musical training in his parents’ home. Turning then from music to visual arts, Kirk studied with painters Clayton Williams, Patrick Devonas, Gary and Jennifer Barton, James Christensen, Joe Ostraff, and others. Two years in Rome influenced Richards’ palette, which often consists of subdued browns and rusts. Kirk is best known for his contributions to the BYU Museum of Art exhibit Beholding Salvation: The Life of Christ in Word and Image; for the cover image of Jeffrey R. Holland’s book, Broken Things to Mend; and for his imagery on the cover of BYU Studies Magazine. Kirk and his wife, Amy, have four creative children. They split their time between their home in Woodland Hills, CA, and their country studio in the small town of Redmond, Utah. Richards’ work is mostly found in private collections throughout the country.
http://www.jkirkrichards.com/
Music #1:
“Your Burden is Light” from the album Fear Not
Lyrics:
Walking with the distance
Between you and I
Without you I am nothing
But that’s not on my mind
Preoccupied with serving
Ignoring all the while
This feeling that I’m searching
Thought I wasn’t so blind
This pressure that I’m feeling
To spread the Word of God
Hidden away in quiet
Blurts out with love
‘Cause the work is so good
And the workers are few
But your burden is light
It’s not meant to confuse
And even when I’m a mess
When I can’t even catch my breath
It’s an outpour of love
True display of the Holy One
Even when I try with all my might
To bring you glory
There’s not enough time
Even when I fail in my own strength
All you ask for is a faith offering
Performer/Composer/Lyricist:
Hailing from the suburbs of Philadelphia, Jacob Cuevas has been inspiring those in the Wheaton College Community in Illinois for the past four years with his powerful melodies and strong worship leadership.
https://www.facebook.com/wheatoncu/posts/10158012695394372/
Music #2:
Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 1: 22. His Yoke Is Easy
Lyrics:
His yoke is easy,
and His burden is light.
Messiah Performers/Musicians/Lyricists/Composer:
Unless otherwise noted, all Messiah performances are by Margaret Marshall, Catherine Robbin, Anthony Rolfe-Johnson, Robert Hale, Charles Brett, Saul Quirke, the English Baroque Soloists, and the Monteverdi Choir conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner. Biographical information for the performers and musicians can be found by clicking here.
About the Poet:
Susan Spear, poet and librettist, holds an MFA in poetry with an emphasis in verse-craft from Western State Colorado University. She is currently an Associate Professor of English at Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, Colorado. Her poems have appeared in Academic Questions, The Anglican Theological Review, Mezzo Cammin, Dappled Things, and many other journals, both in print and on-line. Her poetry manuscript In Ordinary Time was a semifinalist for the 2016 Crab Orchard First Book Prize, and her one-act libretto The Price of Pomegranates was scored by Jerome Malek and appeared on stage in workshop form at Writing the Rockies in July of 2016. She serves as the Managing Editor of Think, a journal of poetry, reviews, and criticism, housed at Western State. Spear is the author of Beyond All Bearing (Wipf and Stock in 2018) and co-author of Learning the Secrets of English Verse (with David J. Rothman), forthcoming from Springer.
http://peacockjournal.com/susan-spear-four-poems/
About the Devotion Author:
Dr. Jamie Sanchez
Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies
Program Director, PhD Intercultural Studies
Biola University
Jamie Sanchez, PhD is Associate Professor and Chair of the Graduate Department and Program Director in Cook School of Intercultural Studies at Biola University. Her research focuses on ethnopolitics in Asia and critical refugee studies.