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“Take My Yoke Upon You,
and Learn of Me”
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Lesson
10
Summary |
| Matthew 11:28-30; 12:1-13; Jesus acclaims John as more than a prophet—The cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum upbraided for
unbelief—The Son reveals the Father—The yoke of Christ is easy and his burden light. Jesus proclaims himself Lord of the Sabbath and heals thereon. Luke 7:36-50;
13:10-17 A woman anoints Christ’s feet, and he forgives her sins. Jesus teaches: Repent or perish—He gives the parable of the barren fig tree; heals a woman on the Sabbath; and likens the kingdom
of God to a mustard seed. |
Supplemental
Holy Land
and Jewish
insights: |
Unfair Yoke: The Mosaic law about the unfairness of plowing with a donkey and an ox is clearly visible when looking at the lesser creature.
"Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together." (Deuteronomy 22:10) Consider that the Lord wants to
relieve us of the unfairness in life. He is saying, in effect, "I am carrying the burden; take advantage of it." In learning this principle, following Him and giving our burdens to Him (He has paid
for them already), we cleanse our inner selves and are able to better serve Him.. |
Personal Savior: In examining the little information we have of Jesus’ life, we see how privately and personally He takes burdens upon Himself. Lesson 15 discusses a woman taken in adultery, and
Jesus was questioned if she should be stoned. We will later discuss the redeeming lesson of His reply–personally and privately.Getting Stoned:
Biblical punishments were based on the crime, unlike today’s punishments, which are based on the person or the circumstances. Stoning was the punishment for a number of capital sins including murder
(Numbers 35:30), adultery (Deuteronomy 22:22-24), blasphemy (Leviticus 24:16), breaking the Sabbath (Numbers 15:32-35), apostasy (Deuteronomy 13:6-10) and rebellion against parents (Deuteronomy
21:18-21). Rabbinic interpretations of the ancient Jewish law of stoning indicate that it that the convicted person be thrown over a cliff. One of at least two witnesses (and thereby accusers) was
responsible to make sure the criminal was dead. Due to the aversion to directly taking another’s life would motivate having the fall cause the death of the accused. A witness/accuser always had to
cast the first stone and then all others threw stones to cover the body (the burial). Abandoned quarries (where the "stone was rejected") would be likely locations for such infrequent executions.
Turan with a Stone Quarry: There is a village called Turan, close to Nazareth and Cana in Galilee, the traditional spot where Jesus was
accused of not preventing His disciples from harvesting, threshing, and winnowing grain on the Sabbath day. They were doing this for their own refreshment, needing to eat. There is still a huge stone
quarry at Turan which provides a visual connection to the Pharisees and their "death accusation."
Sabbath Days, An Ordinance: Ancient Sabbath observance always included the pouring and blessing of wine followed by the breaking and blessing
of bread. ". . . The family stands . . . father raises the brimming silver cup to say Kiddush . . . over wine . . . the symbol of joy." "Two loaves appear on the Sabbath table. They recall the
double portion of manna which the Israelites in the desert gathered on the eve of the Sabbath for the next day." (Encyclopedia
Judaica Jr.) There are three major symbolic reasons and meanings for the Sabbath.
Remembrance of the creation: ". . . for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed."
(Exodus 31:13-17)
Delivered from bondage in Egypt: ". . . God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy
God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day." (Deuteronomy 5:14-15)
Remembrance of the atonement: ". . . from the apostolic day until now, the Sabbath has been the first
day of the week to point attention to our Lord's resurrection on his holy day." (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Pg.452)
"So important is Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) that it is the only fast day which may be observed on the Sabbath and is never postponed until the next day. Moreover, the
Torah describes the holiness of Yom Kippur by calling it the "Sabbath of Sabbaths." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
"Anticipating" Ordinance of the Sabbath: To the Jews who commemorate the first two reasons for the Sabbath, a sip of wine is partaken,
followed by bread. The prayers recited include a recollection of the past, with an eye to the future where an even greater deliverance is anticipated. In this sense, it is a chiasmas that focuses
on the atonement in the center. The Savior’s atonement began with suffering and bleeding from every pore, (symbolized by wine) and then followed by giving his body, (symbolized by broken bread).
"Remembrance" Ordinance of the Sabbath: To those who truly believe in the Messiah, the Sabbath day is commemorated by partaking of a morsel of
bread followed by a sip of wine (or water). The prayers are in remembrance of the greatest deliverance eternity will ever know. First, wine and bread (anticipation) then bread and wine
(remembrance); these are the symbols of the Sabbath, a joyful thought of redemption!
Guests: On the subject of guests, Judaism and Mormonism have a lot in common. "In Jewish tradition, Abraham's life is an example to this day
of supreme faith and devotion to God, and of love for one's fellow man. Abraham is also the personification of hospitality; his tent was open on all four sides. He himself waited on guests . . ."
Israelites are known for ". . . aiding people who need help and encouragement . . . includes such matters as visiting the sick and looking after them and inviting needy guests to eat at your home."
"In Talmudic literature, hospitality is a great mitzvah, . . . the guest should be shown his room on arrival, so that he will enjoy his meal and not have to worry about where he will sleep
later . . . the guest too, has responsibilities, including showing gratitude to his host . . . guests must not accept hospitality if they think that doing so will impoverish the host."
(Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
Hospitality: "The Bible is full of examples of hospitality. Abraham, for example, broke off a conversation with God Himself in order to
receive guests (the three angels), and though weak in health, ran out to meet them, personally washed their feet, served them food, and made them feel welcomed and honored. Rebekah, Abraham's future
daughter-in-law, showed hospitality not only to his servant but to his thirsty camels as well, thus proving herself worthy of marrying Isaac. Jethro was angry that his daughters had not invited Moses
to their home, and the prophet Elijah was a permanent guest in the home of the Shunammite woman. Job, like Abraham, had open doors on all four sides of his house so that strangers might have easy
access. Breaches of hospitality, on the other hand, were considered punishable offenses."
(Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
Sequel to Passover: As a sequel to Passover, (first full-moon after the first day of Spring) there is Sukkoth (first full-moon after the first
day of Fall). In the festivals of deliverance called Sukkoth, the booth, (tabernacle, hut or bowery) must be large enough to accommodate the entire family and still be large enough to welcome at least
seven guests with enough food to feed them! Both at Passover and Sukkoth, the door is left open for the expected guests (who will come unexpectedly). They include Elijah, Moses, Aaron, Abraham, Isaac,
Jacob, Joseph and David.
"Guests" Have Already Visited: Latter-day Saints believe in the returning of prophets and messengers. Several of the above mentioned "guests"
have already come!
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