Still Lacking Something

The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? - Matthew 19:20

The Bible tells of a good man who came to Christ and was told to sell everything and follow.

What's important to notice is not the command of Jesus to sell everything, but the man's overwhelming sense something was lacking from his life even after all the good he had done!

The issue is not being good but who is calling the shots.

Jesus told many of the good people of his day,

"[T]he publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you." - Matthew 21:31b

He wasn't recommending being bad but that God's Kingdom is for those who turn everything in their lives over to Christ.

When there is a nagging feeling that something is still lacking, check to see if there is still something (maybe even something good), withheld from Christ.

Throw it down and find rest to the soul.¹

- fritz

^{1 - Matthew 11:29}

Jesus is not an OX

"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." - Jesus (Matthew 11:29)

We are often given the mental image of two oxen yoked together, the experienced one helping the other. Jesus is portrayed as the experienced ox helping us pull our burdens.

Jesus' hearers had a different picture.

"Yoke", was the term for embracing God's laws; it is still used is this way, today.¹ A rabbi's yoke was his unique interpretation of the law. Each rabbi found the brightest and most able students to take his "yoke" hoping their abilities would ensure dominance. They would learn his ways, live his life, and pass it on to other worthy recipients.

Jesus picked fishermen, tax collectors, political zealots, and even poor failures to take his yoke. He knew success advancing the Kingdom depended not upon the ability of the student but the teacher.

"and such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
- 1^st Corinthians 6:11

His invitation still stands.

- fritz
1 Search Google for "Yoke of mitzvot"