but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.
This is not what Jesus does.
But it might seem like it. We hear him tell us, "but I say to you". We hear him say that if we look at a woman with lust we are guilty of adultery. He tells us that if we are angry with our brother we are liable to judgment. He goes on to teach about divorce, oath-taking, revenge, and love of enemies in a way that makes it clear that "unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven." We have to be perfect "just as your heavenly Father is perfect" (cf. Mat. 5:20-48).
No, "his commandments are not burdensome" (cf. 1 Joh.). Say it with me, "not burdensome".
How can they not be? He is basically asking the impossible.
"For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible" (cf. Mat. 19:26).
OK, fair enough. But we aren't God. And yet these commands are addressed to us. John tells us that the commands are not burdensome. But he also tells us why they aren't, "for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith." For God all things are possible. And we are "begotten" by God so that we can share this power.
We are given this life by the Spirit. We must also choose to follow the Spirit.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.
It is all too possible to fall back into a burdensome Christian life. We begin to rely on ourselves imperceptibly, without even realizing it. But when we do we see the works of the flesh manifest in our lives. They are "obvious" signs that we are not trusting in God:
immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry,
sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy,
outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness,
dissensions, factions, occasions of envy,
drinking bouts, orgies, and the like.
On the other hand, if we live as God's children, relying on the life he gives us we see the fruits of the Spirit. They too begin imperceptibly. But eventually they do mark our lives in a recognizable way. There can be a painful transition, because "those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires." The cross is the only way that our old self can be extinguished so that the new life God gives has room inside our hearts. But the cross too is a gift. For humans it is impossible, but not for God.
Now we learn why the man who "delights in the law of the LORD" is blessed. He doesn't feel like he is trying to lift burdens impossible to carry. Jesus never gives commands without lifting a finger to help us. He does more than lift a finger. He provides all the strength we need by his Spirit. Let us follow his Spirit and not our flesh. This is true blessedness.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
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