Tag: Matthew 11
Lowly in heart
Scripture reading for January 15: Matthew 11
“At that time Jesus declared, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was Your gracious will. All things have been given Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. “ Matthew 11:25-29
In our current culture, we revere those who have degrees from prestigious universities. We hold in high esteem the scientists, engineers, politicians and technology gurus who are famous in our land. It was no different in Jesus’ day and culture. There politicians, emperors, religious leaders, and military strategists took center stage. Children were looked down on as were the women and slaves of the society. But Jesus came with a different view of life that He said was hidden from these prominent and proud members of the culture but was revealed to children and those lowly in heart.
The hidden truth concerned the identity of Jesus Christ. First, He was the Son of God the Father. No one could figure this out on their own, God must reveal it to them. All things in heaven and on earth belonged to Him because of His Father’s will. Those who considered themselves ‘wise’ and ‘learned’ would not find these essential truths. But Jesus called out to those who were humble enough to listen. If they would come to Him, they could learn this powerful truth that would bring them rest and joy. Jesus would give them a ‘lowly’ heart, like His own, and gentleness instead of harshness and violence.
Are you weighed down with a pursuit of worldly knowledge, woke acceptance, or religious duty? Are you seeking acclaim and accolades for your accomplishments? Have you responded to Jesus’ call to come to Him for rest and true understanding?
Prayer: Lord Jesus forgive me for seeking my satisfaction and praise from the ‘wise’ and ‘woke’ in our culture. I come to Jesus afresh today to learn from Him and become like Him in my heart and attitudes. I want to learn gentleness and live a life of rest and peace. Amen.
Rest for our journey!
Scripture reading for January 15th: Matthew 11
Key Scriptures: Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Many religions call for their followers to “work, work, work!” There are rules to keep and rituals to follow in order to please deity. Sometimes followers get tired and weary of all the works and rules and really never know when they have done enough to insure that they please their ‘gods.’
But Jesus did miracles of healing and provision proving who He was and how much God the Father loved people. He only asks His followers to believe on Him and follow. He invites all to come and rest in what He has done for them by paying for their salvation and fully pleasing God the Father by His own complete obedience. He asks His disciples to come to Him and learn about His heart to love and serve by receiving the Holy Spirit. Following Jesus is like rest for weary souls compared to the “work, work, work” of religion. His yoke is easy and His burden was light!
Observation for over-comers: Stay away from the religion of works! Rest in Jesus and learn from His humble and gentle heart of loving service. “My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from Him.” (Psalm 62:1)
Miracles and judgment!
Scripture reading for January 15th: Matthew 11
Jesus talked about the generation of Jews that were living in the time He ministered on earth. “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.” For John (the Baptist) came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” But wisdom is proved right by her actions.” (Matthew 11:16-19) The Jews of Jesus day had excuses for everything they saw. They made accusations that enabled them to stay smug and live as usual.
Jesus likened them to children playing games. Some played the flute and danced, inviting others to join in. This was the ministry of Jesus! He performed miracles and turned water into wine at a wedding feast. He was accused of being a glutton and friend of sinners by the religious people of that day. The miracles served only to make them more skeptical and hardened. John the Baptist came calling people to repentance and to mourn over their sins. He lived in the desert and dressed like a prophet. These same religious people accused him of having a demon!
We must be careful how we react to Jesus and to the people God sends to call people to Himself! He pronounced ‘woe’ on Korazin and Capernaum, the places He ministered the most but was rejected and judged! It would be more bearable for Sodom than for them on Judgment Day! (Matthew 11:23-24)
Come to Jesus and find rest!
Scripture reading for January 14th: Matthew 11, Psalm 10:1-8, Proverbs 3:7-10
Jesus centered his early ministry in the region around the Sea of Galilee where big crowds of people gathered to hear Him. Jesus had performed many miracles of healing and deliverance for those who came but many people refused to repent of their sins and believe in Him. Jesus spoke plainly to the crowds about their condition and the coming judgment on their sins if they failed to repent.
“Woe to you Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” (Matthew 11:21-24)
Miracles either open a heart to the Lord or harden the heart further when there is no response. They bring knowledge of God’s love and power in a visible form that makes a person more accountable to God. Proud hearts refuse to believe and make excuses for what has happened. In the end, the pride brings judgment. The church of Jesus Christ has been given power to lay hands on the sick and cast out devils as well as to see miracles come from the ministry of the Holy Spirit. We in the church often feel that this is the answer to all the problems and that great growth would occur if we could just see more miracles. This was not the case with Jesus Christ and His ministry in this part of Israel!
However, for those who will listen and come to Jesus, He promises true rest! “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Repentance and rest bring true salvation!
Jesus our Rest!
Scripture reading for January 14th: Matthew 11, Psalm 10:1-8, Proverbs 3:7-10
Jesus centered his early ministry in the region around the Sea of Galilee where there were big crowds of people who gathered to hear Him. Jesus had performed many miracles of healing and deliverance for sick and bound people but many people refused to repent of their sins and believe in Him. Jesus spoke plainly to the crowds about their condition and the coming judgment on their sins if they failed to repent.
“Woe to you Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” (Matthew 11:21-24)
Miracles either open a heart to the Lord or harden the heart further when there is no response. They bring knowledge of God’s love and power in a visible form that makes a person more accountable than if they had no personal knowledge. Proud hearts refuse to believe and make excuses for what has happened and bring judgment on themselves in the end. The church of Jesus Christ has been given power to lay hands on the sick and cast out devils as well as to see miracles come from the ministry of the Holy Spirit through His saints. We in the church often feel that this is the answer to all the problems and that great growth would occur if we could just see more miracles. This was not the case with Jesus Christ and His ministry in this part of Israel!
However, for those who will listen and come to Jesus, He promises true rest! “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Repentance and rest bring true salvation!