#DailyDevotion Jesus’ Commands Are Not Burdensome (Particularly Compared With The Torah)
Wednesday Easter 6
1 John 4:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Our victory over the world is our faith. But the Christian faith isn’t any old faith. Tons of unbelievers have plenty of faith. But what is the object of their faith? It isn’t Jesus. Which Jesus is it if they say they do have faith in him? For not everyone who says, “Lord, Lord” will enter into life.
There are two things about Jesus mentioned here in John 4. One is we confess that Jesus is the Messiah, the other is that he is the Son of God. The Messiah, the Christ, promised anointed one, promised throughout the ages starting with Genesis 3:15 until the proclamation of John the Baptist. Jesus of Nazareth, born in Bethlehem is that guy. We believe Jesus is the Son of God. Not just someone with divine gifts who is really holy. By Son of God we mean Jesus is a divine person one in essence and substance with the Father. He is true God of true God. Jesus is Light of Light from eternity, before the creation of the world.
The world is in darkness and cannot recognize him. His own people did not recognize him (well many did and many more did after Pentecost) and they put him on the cross for blasphemy. Faith in this Jesus means we have overcome the world and we can begin to keeps God’s commandments. There are two commandments. Trust Jesus has saved you and love your neighbor as yourself. John, as a Jews, can certainly say these are not burdensome. Try keeping all the laws, mandates, prescriptions, commandments and the like of the Torah. That is impossible. It’s so impossible the Rabbis made all sorts of rules around the rules to make it more bearable, but in many cases they just made it worse.
When we trust in Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah, the Son of God, he sends into our hearts the Holy Spirit. By the power of the Holy Spirit we trust in Jesus and we begin to love our neighbor. Loving our neighbor is first and foremost forgiving them. It is also making sure they have every physical need met. It means showing them mercy and compassion. This is not burdensome for someone who believes God has had mercy and compassion on them. This is not burdensome for someone who believes God on the cross did what necessary for them to be reconciled to God and enter into eternal life. For Jesus did far more in showing us love than we could ever do for the person in front of us. Thanks be to God for this faith.
Heavenly Father, ever give us your Holy Spirit that we may believe Jesus is your Son, the promised Messiah, and by your Spirit love our neighbor. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.