Come, Lord Jesus

Scripture Passage that Caught my attention today: Matthew 23:1-4 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; 3 therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them.

Observation: It’s easy to lay burdens on others that we ourselves are not willing/able to bear. It’s also easy to allow others to do the same to us.

Application: There’s a story in Leviticus chapter 10 that comes to mind. A couple of Aaron’s sons have done something they should not have done and they die. Moses keeps driving the point home that they deserved their death and that the rest better do everything perfect or they too shall die. At first Aaron remains silent and listens to what Moses says. But then it was revealed that a couple more of Aarons sons had done something, presumably with good intent, that also was not quite the way it was supposed to be done and Moses got angry all over again. He started chastising them until Aaron could maintain his silence no longer:

And Aaron spoke to Moses, “See, today they offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the LORD; and yet such things as these have befallen me! If I had eaten the sin offering today, would it have been agreeable to the LORD?” 20 And when Moses heard that, he agreed.”

We’re coming up to a time of year when a lot of people will want everything to be just right—decorations…food…presents…relationships…you name it. But not everything will be perfect. Matching right up with the joy of the season will be corresponding amounts of loneliness, disappointment, regret, and frustration. Not every gesture will be appreciated. The beautiful scripted words on many a card will not necessarily be enough to make up for a years of neglect. And when we try to force our holiday cheer on the very ones whom we have intentionally or unintentionally wronged in one way or another, well…we may find ourselves confronted in Aaron-like fashion. If so, it may be for good reason.

The Advent season which begins this weekend is very much a season of longing for burdens to be lifted rather than imposed, lightened rather than increased. When we say, “come, Lord Jesus” it is spiritual request for the One who is whole to bring a sense of wholeness to those of us (which is all of us) who are not yet complete.

Until then, it may help to realize that we will not become more complete by imposing onto others our own ideas of what is right verses trite. Neither will it help to allow others to do the same to us. Much better to just say or think, “Come Lord Jesus.”

Prayer: Lord, help us to find our deepest longings to be met in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Readings today included: Matthew 23-25)