Scriptural Highlights

• Jesus invites us to take his yoke upon us and learn of him.
• Jesus declares that he is Lord of the Sabbath.
• Jesus forgives a woman in house of Simon the Pharisee.

A study of this lesson will help us better understand that as we take the Savior's yoke upon us and do his will, we will find the peace and joy that he has promised.

Take My Yoke Upon You

1. READ MATTHEW 11:28-30. Come unto the Lord and he will give you rest.
• The Lord has issued an invitation to those who labor and carrying great burdens.
• WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE THE LORD HAS ISSUED AN INVITATION TO?
• Once again the Lord has painted a mental image for those he is teaching. Many years ago I worked for a large grocery store that had a huge 4th of July sale. I worked in the produce department at that time. Among the fantastic bargains were two cent per pound watermelons. The store owner brought in 3 semi-trailers full of watermelons. During the weeklong sale, I worked double shifts and spent much of that time hauling watermelons from the trailer to the store. At times, I wondered if those trailers would ever be empty. I longed for the end of the sale and a resumption of normal hours. It was a difficult week. In a physical sense, I was "heavy laden" and "labored" hard during that week. I longed for rest.
• As we go back to ancient times, I visualize those who were required to physically labor to survive and feed their families. My six day challenge pales in comparison to these ancient souls. There were farmers who worked hard, scratching and existence from the soil, without the benefit of modern machinery. The stone masons who chisled stone for years. Even those who had to haul water from wells far from their homes. I am sure these people could see no end to their labor. I wonder if they ever gave up hope for a more restful existence. So when they heard the Savior speak of rest, I am sure that the working people listened. It may explain why the scribes and Pharisees were not as attentive to the Savior's messages. They did not comprehend, as did the working person.
• Since none of us are perfect, we go through life making mistakes. The burden of sin often becomes heavy and to carry this load becomes great. At times there seems to be no hope. We have other burdens in this life. The loss of loved ones. The challenges of family. The many worries we face during a life time.
• WHAT KIND OF REST IS THE LORD PREACHING ABOUT?
• It is clear that the Lord is not talking about rest from hauling watermelons or working the soil or any other kind of physical labor. So what is this rest?
• Joseph F. Smith: "The ancient prophets speak of 'entering into God's rest'; what does it mean? To my mind, it means entering into the knowledge and love of God, having faith in his purpose and in his plan, to such an extent that we know we are right, and that we are not hunting for something else, we are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine, or by the cunning and craftiness of men who lie in wait to deceive." (Gospel Doctrine, p58)
• HOW DOES THIS "REST" AFFECT THE BURDENS WE CARRY IN THIS LIFE?
2. PLAY FIRST PORTION OF VIDEO: "Come Unto Me."
3. WHAT IS A YOKE?
• Dictionary definitions:
• "a device for joining together a pair of draft animals, esp. oxen, usu. consisting of a crosspiece with two bow-shaped pieces, each enclosing the head of an animal" (Random House Webster's College Dictionary 1996, p1547)
• "a frame fitting a person's neck and shoulders, for carrying a pair of buckets or the like, one at each end" (Random House Webster's College Dictionary 1996, p1547)
• I have recently been reading Volume 9 of the Brother Lund's Work & Glory series. This volume deals with the Saints move west, including the Mormon Battalion. Brother Lund also brings the story of the ill fated Donner party into this volume. These pioneers mostly used a yoke of oxen to pull their wagons west. When crossing streams or difficult passes, the burden was so great at times that several yoke of oxen were required to pull the wagon past the obstacle. But even more than these great obstacles was the daily, ongoing toil of pulling the wagons across the plains.
4. WHAT DOES THE SAVIOR MEAN WHEN HE ASKS US TO TAKE HIS YOKE UPON US?
• This is a challenging comparison. The ancients understood the great burden that was undertaken when one harnessed his animals to a yoke. Why would the Savior suggest such a comparison?
• When we are baptized, we take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. We covenant that we will keep his commandments. We promise that we will always remember him. This is the "yoke" of the Lord. President Joseph Fielding Smith said, "Membership in the Church is not for the idler. He who seeks an easy road to salvation must go elsewhere, it is not to be obtained in the Church" (The Way to Perfection, p149).
5. IN WHAT WAY IS THE SAVIOR'S YOKE EASY AND HIS BURDEN LIGHT? WHY DO SOME PEOPLE THINK THE LORD'S TEACHINGS ARE TOO RESTRICTIVE? HOW DOES OBEYING AND SERVING THE LORD MAKE OUR BURDENS LIGHT?
• Joseph Fielding Smith: "When a man confesses that it is hard to keep the commandments of the Lord, he is making a sad confession—that he is a violator of the Gospel law. Habits are easily formed. It is just as easy to form good habits as it is to form evil ones. Of course it is not easy to tell the truth, if you have been a confirmed liar. It is not easy to be honest, if you have formed habits of dishonesty. A man finds it very difficult to pray, if he has never prayed. On the other side, when a man has always been truthful, it is a hard thing for him to lie. If he has always been honest and he does some dishonest thing, his conscience protests very loudly. He will find no peace, except in repentance. If a man has the spirit of prayer, he delights in prayer. It is easy for him to approach the Lord with assurance that his petition will be answered. The paying of tithing is not hard for the man, fully converted to the Gospel, who pays his tenth on all that he receives. So we see the Lord has given us a great truth—his yoke is easy, his burden is light if we love to do his will!" (The Way to Perfection, p150)

Jesus Declares That He Is Lord Of The Sabbath

1. Matthew 12:1-2: "At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day."
• WHAT DID THE PHARISEES DO WHEN THEY SAW JESUS' DISCIPLES PICK CORN ON THE SABBATH?
• They accused his disciples of breaking the law of Moses. They were focused on the letter of the law and ignored the true spirit and purpose of the Sabbath.
• Bruce R. McConkie: "By this one Sabbath-performed act, our Lord's fellow travelers were guilty of two violations, not of biblical, but of Rabbinic law. They had both reaped and harvested. The plucking of the ears of corn constituted reaping, and the rubbing off of the husks fell under the sabbatical prohibition against sifting in a sieve, threshing, sifting out fruit, grinding, or fanning. Each of these sins merited punishment and required a sin offering on the great altar in the house of the Lord in Jerusalem." (Mortal Messiah, 2:84)
2. HOW DID JESUS RESPOND TO THIS ACCUSATION?
• READ MATTHEW 12:3-8. The Son of man is Lord of the Sabbath.
• Alfred Edersheim is quoted by Elder McConkie: "The priests worked on the Sabbath, because this service was the object of the Sabbath; and David was allowed to eat of the shewbread, not because there was danger to life from starvation, but because he pleaded that he was on the service of the Lord and needed this provision. The disciples, when following the Lord, were similarly on the service of the Lord; ministering to Him was more than ministering in the Temple, for He was greater than the Temple." (Mortal Messiah, 2:87)
• The Sabbath is a day to serve God, not to be caught up in some ritualistic, legal observance of this day. Said Elder McConkie: "We have seen how they turned a day of freedom and worship and rejoicing into one of Rabbinical rules and restrictions. No longer were the Jews free to worship the Lord their God with a clear conscience on this holy day. Rather, the restrictions were so rigid, the controls so complete, the prohibitions so profuse, that it was as though man had been made for the Sabbath. Their failures on that day—for no man could keep all of the restrictions involved—created a great guilt complex over the whole nation." (Mortal Messiah, 2:398)
3. READ MATTHEW 12:9-13. Jesus restores a withered hand on the Sabbath.
• READ LUKE 13:10-17. A woman healed of her infirmity.
• WHAT DID JESUS TEACH ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF THE SABBATH IN THESE TWO INCIDENTS?
• The following statement by the Savior sums up proper observance of the Sabbath: "Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days" (Matthew 12:12).
• CAN WE, LIKE THE PHARISEES, GET SO CAUGHT UP IN LIVING THE LETTER OF THE LAW THAT WE LOSE THE TRUE SPIRIT OF THIS HOLY DAY? HOW?
• Consider the story of the Martin handcart company. As they approached Salt Lake City late in November, after their tragic incident in Wyoming, Brigham Young was preaching in the "Old Tabernacle". It was the Sabbath. When he learned of their approach, President Young said: "When those persons arrive I do not want to see them put into houses by themselves. I want to have them distributed in this city among the families that have good, comfortable houses; and I wish the sisters now before me, and all who know how and can, to nurse and wait upon the newcomers, and prudently administer medicine and food to them. * * * The afternoon meeting will be omitted, for I wish the sisters to go home and prepare to give those who have just arrived a mouthful of something to eat, and to wash them, and nurse them up. * * * Prayer is good, but when (as on this occasion) baked potatoes, and pudding, and milk are needed, prayer will not supply their place. Give every duty its proper time and place." (Comprehensive History of the Church, 4:100-101)
• If President Young had continued to abide by the Pharisaic law of the Sabbath, the Saints would have continued with their normal Sabbath duties and would have taken care of the Martin company on the following day. This is not what the Savior taught and this is not what his prophet taught.
• JST Mark 2:26: "Wherefore the Sabbath was given unto man for a day of rest; and also that man should glorify God, and not that man should not eat."
• WHAT CAN WE DO ON THE SABBATH DAY TO GLORIFY GOD? WHAT IS PROPER SABBATH DAY BEHAVIOR?
• In 1980, when the Church made the change to the consolidated meeting schedule, the First Presidency stated, "A greater responsibility will be placed upon the individual members and families for properly observing the Sabbath day." They suggested that each family participate in a Sunday gospel study hour and in "other appropriate Sabbath activities, such as strengthening family ties, visiting the sick and homebound, giving service to others, writing personal and family histories, genealogical work, and missionary work." (see Church News, Feb 2, 1980, p3)

Jesus Forgives A Woman In The House Of Simon The Pharisee

1. It is autumn and Jesus has been ministering for nearly two years.
• Only a year and a half remains in his ministry.
• There is a rising tide of opposition.
2. Jesus invited to eat at the home of Simon the Pharisee.
• Guests entering Palestinian homes often removed their sandals, lest the pollutions of the street contaminate the mats and rugs on which family prayers were offered.
• At the dining table they reclined on couches with their feet outward from the table.
• Evidently the dining hall was accessible to others than those bidden to partake of the meal. According to the social customs of the day one could speak to the guests without being bidden to depart by the master of the house.
• My kids would love this. They could relax at the table and their friends could come wandering in and chat with them.
3. Show second part of video, "Come Unto Me."
• See Luke 7:36-50.
4. "And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment" (Luke 7:37).
• This women carried a heavy burden of sin.
• WHAT DID SHE DO THAT ALLOWED JESUS TO TAKE AWAY HER BURDEN?
• She approached the Master in faith and humility.
• WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO SO THAT THE SAVIOR WILL REMOVE THE BURDEN OF SIN IN OUR LIVES?
• The Savior has taught all of us, through this incident, what needs to be done on our part in order to receive this great blessing. We must approach the Lord in an attitude of humility and faith.
• Consider again the actions of the Nephites after having heard the stirring word of King Benjamin:
       "And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.
       "And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come, according to the words which king Benjamin had spoken unto them" (Mosiah 4:2-3).
• WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ATTITUDES OF THE SINFUL WOMAN AND SIMON THE PHARISEE?

The Sinful Woman Repentant Respectful Humble No prejudice Faith

Simon the Pharisee No desire to change Lack of courtesy Proud Judgmental Unbelieving

• HOW DO THE QUALITIES THAT SIMON POSSESSED KEEP US FROM REPENTING?
• HOW WOULD SIMON'S ATTITUDE TOWARD THE WOMAN HAVE MADE HER BURDEN SEEM HEAVIER?
• HOW MIGHT WE MAKE ANOTHER PERSON'S BURDEN OF SIN SEEM HEAVIER?
• WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE SAVIOR'S RESPONSE TO THE WOMAN?
• The woman risked mistreatment by coming into the home of Simon, a Pharisee.
• WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE WOMAN ABOUT OVERCOMING OBSTACLES THAT MAY KEEP US FROM REPENTING?
• WHAT OBSTACLES MIGHT KEEP US FROM REPENTING AND COMING UNTO CHIRST? HOW CAN WE OVERCOME THEM?
5. HOW DO YOU THINK THE WOMAN FELT WHEN THE SAVIOR SAID, "THY FAITH HATH SAVED THEE; GO IN PEACE"?
• She learned in reality what the Master previously taught in Matthew 11:28. She was laden with a heavy burden, the burden of sin. She had labored with the consequences of that sin. I am sure her soul had been dark. Her reputation was common knowledge throughout the village. She came to the Master in humility and faith. She found the "rest" of which he had spoken. Like Alma, she probably felt to exclaim, "Yea, I say unto you...that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you...that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy" (Alma 36:21).
• We, too, no matter the size of our sins, can feel this joy if we will humble ourselves and come to the Lord in a spirit of sincere repentance.

Summary

We have a choice: We may carry the burdens of the world or we can take upon us the yoke of Christ. Will we be like Simon and remain under the heavy burden of sin or will we be like the sinful woman and repent of our sins and take on the yoke of Christ? How we choose determines our happiness in this life and our destiny in the next.

Next Week

Lesson 11: Matthew 13

Additional Reading: Mark 4:1-34; Luke 8:4-18; 13:18-21; D&C 86:1-7; Bible Dictionary, "Gospels, Harmony of," 689; "Parables," 740-41; and "Kingdom of Heaven or Kingdom of God," 721.