Bible offers easy, hard choice
Scripture reading: Matthew 9:1-8. Text: “Which is EASIER to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?” Matthew 9:5. Let one question serve as an introduction to this message: WHICH IS EASIER?
THE CONCEPTS OF EASY AND HARD ARE OFTEN EXPRESSED IN THE BIBLE.
– “For my yoke is EASY and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:30.
– “Again I tell you, it is EASIER for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:24.
– “And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life EASY; eat, drink and be merry.'” Luke 12:19.
– “And (God’s) commands are NOT BURDENSOME,’ 1 John 5:3/b.
– “Then (Jesus) said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself/herself and TAKE UP HIS/HER CROSS daily and follow me.'” Luke 9:23.
– “We must go through many HARDSHIPS to enter the kingdom of God,” Acts of Apostles 14:22.
– “For each one should carry his own LOAD.” Galatians 6:5.
EASIER OR HARDER – BETTER OR WORSE – HELPFUL or HARMFUL?
Please try to find the right match among these six words: easier or harder, better or worse, helpful or harmful. Which one shall be coupled with which?
What is better or worse and helpful or harmful: the easier or the harder?
Nobody can make a final and general decision in this respect. It can go both ways. The easier can be better or worse, helpful or harmful.
The idea of EASINESS is built into our thinking. Do not we say: Take it easy! What is easier? Do something now or later? Blame others or admit a mistake? Be uncommitted or get involved? Be neutral or take a side? Be selfish or sharing? See only the negative side or the positive one too? Promise only or keep it too? Expect more of others or less of yourself? Curse the darkness or light a candle?
BETWEEN THE TWO CHANCES WHICH ONE DID CHRIST CHOOSE?
When the scribes did not like that Jesus offered forgiveness to the paralytic, then the Master had asked them: “Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?”
Naturally it was easier to forgive sins than to make a sick man well. And the Savior to prove his authority, he had healed this paralytic man thus choosing what was harder for him, and by this, making that unfortunate person’s life much easier.
Through this, God wants to teach us:
– We will recognize and appreciate easiness much faster after hard times. Hungry people are more grateful for the food than those who are overfed.
– It is impossible that everybody and in every country, year after year, will have an easier life. If everyone would take it easy, will we end up in catastrophe?
– Temptations are more prevalent when everything goes smoothly and we do not suffer want. Criminology and psychology can tell us a lot in this respect.
– God wants us to have an easier life but not in an easy way. (This not a play on words!) Repentance, change of heart and being born again are not shortcuts to be carefree and have a lot of fun.
If you prefer the easy way then, please keep in mind the “THOU SHALL NOT:’
– JUDGE according to the appearance. It may only look easy.
– FORGET the final outcome. It may be easy today, but what about tomorrow?
– FORGET to save, invest and prepare. Why do people study in colleges and universities for four, six or eight years? Why do people set up a retirement plan?
– FORGET the interest of others. If you insist on your own way that is easier for you but harder for others; later others may do exactly the same. They will do what will be beneficial for them and harmful for you.
Listen to Jesus. When you have the option to decide between easy or hard, what shall be your preference concerning spiritual matters? “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the ROAD IS EASY that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the ROAD IS HARD that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14. New Revised Standard Version.
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville