Life can be hard. Who needs a rest? Take Christ's yoke upon you. (Matthew 11-12, Luke 11)

Matthew

11:16-17

Jesus is good at simile. To take a complex concept and connect it to something that people can relate to is very effective. "But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented."

This is similar to saying, "we're damned if we do and damned if we don't." If we play happy music, you don't dance. If we mourn, you're not sad. Nothing Jesus did was going to please the Pharisees.

The people in power at the time of Jesus weren't interested in the truth. They were interested in staying in power. They were interested in maintaining the status quo.

It is in our nature to fault-find. There is a story of Albert Einstein who wrote on the chalkboard in front of a class a set of times tables. He started with 9x1=9, 9x2=18, 9x3=27 and so on. When he got to 9x10, he wrote the answer at 91. Everyone in the class laughed. Einstein made the point that he had just done nine correct equations and they said nothing. They only responded when he made a mistake. Again, it is in our nature.

When someone is doing something, let's restrain ourselves from focusing on what is wrong. Instead, let's work hard to notice what is right.

11:19

Jesus also pointed out that they thought John was a devil because he didn't eat or drink. They thought Jesus was a winebibber because he ate and drank. Whatever they did, those in power were going to criticize.

Jesus makes an interesting point at the end. He says, "But wisdom is justified of her children." I think he's saying that opinions are opinions. We can all have them. But, we can look at the results to see which opinions are correct. The results will always justify the correct opinion.

11:21-24

"Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day."

If gentile cities of Tyre and Sidon had witnessed the amazing miracles of Jesus, they would have repented "long ago." If the wicked city of Sodom had witnessed what was done in Capernaum, it would remain rather than being destroyed. "But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee." That's saying something.

This point can be made with us as members of the Church. Look at all of the advantages that we have! We have:

• Additional scripture.

• Living prophets.

• An understanding of the plan of salvation.

• More specific commandments.

• Temples.

• Many opportunities to serve and sacrifice.

• Ordinances and covenants to keep us on the path.

With all of these advantages, we should be better at repentance. We should be more Christlike! What would non-members do if they suddenly had all of the blessings of the gospel? Would their righteousness exceed ours?

We must live up to the blessings we've been given. We will be held more accountable. If we don't take advantage of all that we have in this life, what are the odds that we will suddenly be all in on the other side of the veil? Something to think about.

11:25

"At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes." The wise and prudent have a hard time changing course. It was merciful that many eternal truths were hid from them.

Instead, these eternal principles were revealed to those with very little experience. They hadn't been hardened yet. They were still open to new ideas. We've got to remain childlike in this way.

11:28-30

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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." This is one of the most popular quotes from the Savior.

This life can beat you down. There can be all kinds of unrealistic expectations placed on us. The world is unfair and cruel. If our focus is to be successful in this world, we may get chewed up and spit out by "reality." Often, the world couldn't care less about all of your earnest effort.

But, if we can come to the Savior, he doesn't put any unrealistic expectations on us. He isn't cruel and uncaring. He is fair and merciful. He rewards good acts and intentions with gifts of the Spirit. He comforts and guides. He nurtures.

Following him isn't complicated. It is learning his will and then submitting to it. Every good act is immediately rewarded. There is always a positive cause and effect. Instead, of striving against insurmountable odds, we can experience peaceful progression every time we come to Jesus. If everyone knew how easy and light the burden that Jesus places on us, they would choose Him!

12:11-12

"And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days." When I was on my mission, I was training a new missionary. On our first Sunday, after church, I told him that we were going to knock on some doors. He was in disbelief. He thought that was working.

I told him that the Lord's work didn't count as "working." We had a little debate out in front of an apartment complex. He finally conceded that it was a good idea. I had to quote the scripture that it was "lawful to do well on the sabbath days."

Recently, we were coming home from church and saw someone struggling to clear their driveway of snow. We have a tractor with an auger attached that makes snow removal easy. My first thought was, "too bad he's doing that on the sabbath." Then I thought better and, after dropping Marci off and changing clothes, went back to make quick work of his driveway. I was not breaking the sabbath by doing good.

12:20

"A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory." I had to read up on what this verse means. It is pointing out that Jesus was not sent to destroy those who were damaged. A bruised reed is very easy to break. A smoking flax is very easy to quench. Jesus was sent to heal and comfort - not too finish off those who are struggling.

12:30

"He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." This is similar to his statement that those who are not against us are for us. I think this is especially true for the house of Israel. Those who are members of the Church are either part of the solution or part of the problem.

If we are not engaged in being disciples of Christ, we are likely scattering in some way. We are not being good examples. We are being idle. We are not serving. We are not having charity for others. By not demonstrating Christlike attributes as members of the true Church, we are scattering.

12:32

"And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." This has always sounded strange to me. I think I understand now.

If there is someone in China who hears about Jesus Christ and dismisses him out of hand, how is he accountable for that? For those who have no testimony of Jesus Christ are not accountable for their impression of him.

However, if I have felt the Holy Ghost, that's different. If I have experienced the confirmation feelings that come from the Holy Ghost, that means I have a personal witness. I have heard promptings. I have felt that burning in the bosom. My mind has been expanded. I have understanding. I have a testimony.

If I act against that testimony that has been confirmed internally, I am rebelling against what I know. I am doing something that I know is wrong.

When the veil is removed and Jesus is revealed as the Savior of the world and the only Begotten Son, the Spirit will confirm to us that this is true. We will see and feel that Jesus is the Christ. If we rebel after that sure knowledge, we cannot be forgiven. We are literally turning our back to the Savior. We won't want to be forgiven. We won't want to be saved and be in God's presence. I can't imagine it.

12:36

"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." I think this is true but not in the way that many think. I do not think there is going to be a person with a clipboard and a VCR going through every idle word that we speak so we can account for each and every one.

I think it has more to do with the sum of our actions and words and thoughts will shape our character. We will be a current, immediately updated, perfectly accurate report card of all that we have done.

If we have repented as needed, exercised faith, been valiant in our testimony, we will be ready for more progress. We will eagerly accept the next assignment of service. We will have said the words and done the deeds that have prepared us to be a valiant son or daughter of God.

If we have been idle, less-diligent, somewhat obedient, fearful, mediocre disciples. Our current character will reflect that. We will not desire to accept other assignments. Our lack of desire will accurately reflect all that we have said and done. We will choose to continue to NOT be valiant.

I think this is hard to understand and describe. It's easier to say that we will have to account for every idle word we speak at the judgment.

12:43-45

These are some deep verses. "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation." Jesus is basically describing a demon leaving a man for a while, deciding to return to that man and entering him with seven of his more-wicked friends because there was absolutely nothing preventing him.

If we attempt to overcome an addiction or a sinful habit, we need to replace that with something healthy and spiritual. If we simply, through willpower, stop doing something - chances are, that behavior will come back even worse. We must fill our souls with gospel learning, prayer, service etc. When the evil spirit returns, they will find our spiritual protection built. There will not be room for that spirit to re-enter.

Don't rely on simple willpower to overcome your weaknesses. Fill your time with those things that will add padlocks of protection to your righteousness. Being spiritually neutral is the same as having an empty, swept, garnished AirBnB for demons. Put the no-vacancy sign out front!

He was comparing that situation to Israel. Jesus was there and casting out demons. Unless they then filled their souls with the teachings he was giving them, they would return back to their original condition - only worse.

Luke

11:8

"I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth." This is an interesting scripture. I must say that I read it and didn't understand what it was saying. I read it again and didn't understand. I almost skipped it until I thought about how this is Christ speaking. I ought to understand what he is saying! So I did a little research.

What I learned is Jesus is suggesting that, we may not receive an answer to our prayer at first. But, if we demonstrate "importunity," (determined to the point of annoyance) we will finally receive. He is suggesting that we may need to repeat ourselves persistently in prayer until we receive.

Why does God make us wait?

• It stretches our faith.

• We may become more desperate and understand more fully our dependence on God.

• We become more earnest over time.

11:13

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" We understand the point of this - that God will give us exactly what we need.

The part that is interesting is that the gifts that God gives is through the Holy Spirit. What are gifts of the Spirit? You can read a list from the Church HERE. Elder McConkie said, “Spiritual gifts are endless in number and infinite in variety."

11:27-28

I'm sure a lot of public adoration was directed at Jesus. There were multitudes following him and many were likely vocal in their worship. I don't believe that Jesus saw value in public adoration. "And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked." This is a strange compliment to me but I didn't live back then. She is glorifying Jesus.

Jesus wasn't interested in public adoration. He always wanted to take that energy and turn it around back towards the people. He used this compliment as a teaching moment: "But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it." He made an inert compliment into a challenge to the people.

Birthing and feeding a child do not make one blessed. Being faithful to the word of God is what makes one blessed.

11:36

"If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light." The "having no part dark" is interesting.

Which is better?

1. Be righteous with no sin in your life.

2. Be even more righteous but commit a little sin.

I, of course, think that being righteous with no sin is better. To not dip a toe off of the covenant path is safer.

We cannot obliterate a consistent, rebellious act through additional good works. This is still rebellion. Our character is not like a scale where we can add more righteous weight to one side so the sinful side becomes negligible. It doesn't work that way.

We must progress in our righteousness to overcome whatever is dark in our lives. We must use that righteousness to root out any sin that we may be committing. We cannot progress in righteousness carrying a black bag of sin.

11:37-40

"And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat. And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner. And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?" Of course the Pharisee invited him over to dinner so that he could look for something wrong. Do we ever spend time with someone with the intention of finding their weaknesses to bolster our supply of gossip to share with others at the soonest opportunity? That's not good.

Christ points out that the Pharisees care only about the outward expressions of righteousness. They love the rituals because they are visible. What they're giving little thought to is what is happening on the inside. It is possible to be outwardly righteous and inwardly wicked. When you are constantly coveting and judging and conspiring and lusting your outward actions matter little in terms of shaping your eternal character. In fact, it could do more damage to be outwardly righteous because you can still enjoy the respect of others. This could allow this hypocrisy to continue for decades.

11:42-44

Jesus obviously viewed Pharisees as hypocrites. "But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets." He was pointing out that they would weigh small items like mint and rue to a tenth of an ounce for tithing but would ignore big principles of justice and love.

Their motivation were the good seats at church and how they are respected in the markets. I could see the appeal of receiving respect from others. They should have recognized this and did away with high seats and fanciful greetings. They should have known that pride would begin to take hold in their ranks.

Jesus takes it even further in verse 44. "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them." In that day, you could be defiled by touching a grave. As a result, people would paint graves white so that no one would unsuspectingly be defiled.

Jesus was saying that they are infecting others and those people wouldn't even realize it. Because of their outward righteousness, other's wouldn't recognize what they truly were inside. It allowed them to defile a nation without anyone knowing.

11:52

"Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered." The lawyers were ones that would interpret the scriptures for others. They, because of their learning, would decide what the scriptures were actually saying.

They did this in ways that promoted their own interests - rather than helping others understand clearly what to expect in the Messiah. Unfortunately, it sounds like the lawyers believed their own lies and their false teaching prevented them from understanding the true meaning themselves. So, they didn't enter into knowledge AND prevented others from knowing the truths of the kingdom.

It is a wicked thing to prevent others from learning about Jesus Christ. It's one thing to ignore his teachings and turn your back on him. It's quite another to influence others to do the same. Alma felt the sorrow that comes from doing this wickedness, "Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, or rather led them away unto destruction; yea, and in fine so great had been my iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror." Fortunately for Alma, he had a change of heart and could see his evil doings clearly.

I'm assuming that these lawyers didn't feel this sorrow. They didn't repent. They were too invested in their positions of power. Too bad for them.

May none of us feel the guilt and regret in steering someone away from the gospel!