Reading Plan:  

Acts 15

Light Yoke

Author: Anna Belk 

Verse nineteen states, “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.” Here we are, back to the same dispute that we started the week with. Not going to lie, it’s a little convicting for a rule-follower like me. I like things by the book, structured, and predictable. I do not like things breaking the mold. It feels as if it throws everything off kilter. Compare the biblical Pharisees to today’s Type A personalities or Enneagram Ones. I can say that because I am one. They wrote each cultural standard in cement and could win any and every Bible drill. At the core of their being, they were driven by a heavy sense of morality and justice; overall not bad things. They certainly did not like a bunch of sandal-wearing Jesus-followers waltzing in and shaking up their false sense of security. But to show them some grace these Pharisees probably dealt with deep shame bearing its nasty teeth through fragile, legalistic thinking. Again, I speak from personal experience, so no judgments if you’re rocked by the waves of change in the same boat as me.  

Peter addresses the stubborn-minded Pharisees, “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that He accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to purify hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No, we believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

The whole assembly became silent. In other words, Peter preached a word and then dropped the mic. What a powerful proposal. Why do we try to test God by acting as a higher tribunal condemning both others and ourselves to heavy, back-breaking yokes that are not even ours to bear? Jesus says that His yoke is light, so set down the burden that you bear, the shame that you carry, and leave the words that have left your heart in fractured pieces. Take up the light yoke of a father who already took your weighted wear and left it nailed to a cross on Golgotha. 

Reflection: 

• Leave your burdens at the cross. Write the things that seem heavy today. Pray over this list, ask Christ to take these burdens from you, and leave your worries with Jesus. 

Family Application: Jesus died for everyone! 

Author: Kate Mattox 

• Today, we are reading about how God knows us and our hearts. When we have a relationship with Jesus, we receive salvation. Through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection He rescues us from our sins.  
• Jesus died for everyone who would accept and follow Him. When we accept Jesus, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit lives inside of us and helps us follow Jesus. Have you ever seen someone who was living with the Holy Spirit? If so, who was it, and what was different about how they lived?  
• They followed God, they served people, they were generous, they prayed, and they read their Bible.  
• The Holy Spirit is our helper to follow God and do what God wants us to do. How can you follow God this week? Maybe you could write a letter to a friend, tell someone thank you, or eat lunch with someone that is eating by themselves and love them as Jesus loves us.   
• Prayer: God, You are the Lord Almighty. God, You are a good Father. Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to help us follow You. Help me love people like You love people, God. Amen.