worship this Sunday…

The World Cup—and the enthusiasm surrounding it—is a welcome respite from what seems to be an endless stream of distressing national and international news stories. The once-every-four-years soccer (football) tournament is being held right now mostly in the US, with some games in Canada and Mexico. It’s the most-widely followed (and watched) sporting event in the world.

I’ve been enjoying watching a few games and have been pleasantly surprised by how many fans from a wide diversity of nations are here. It’s refreshing to see the excitement and enthusiasm of the teams and their fans, and it’s been a delight to see so much support for underdog teams, especially those from smaller nations. The viral scenes of the Cape Verde team jubilantly celebrating after their unexpected win were a real joy to watch. Cape Verde is a nation of 10 islands about 350 miles west of Senegal, and it is home to 530,000 people.

In this Sunday’s story from Matthew, Jesus seems to be addressing those in the crowd around him who are suffering from an enthusiasm deficit. But it’s not because of bad news. As the story goes on, it appears there are people (likely religious leaders) around him who are so fixated on religion being properly practiced that they are missing the joy that’s going on around them.

Hope to see you in church this Sunday as we hear this:

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Craig

Matthew 11: 16-19, 25-30

“But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”