Daily Bible Reading (Monday, Jan. 16th)

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Matthew 11 (ESV)

Messengers from John the Baptist

When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,

“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

17 “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”

Woe to Unrepentant Cities

20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest

25 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; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to 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. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

6 Comments

So thankful that Jesus gives rest to those under the burden of self righteous religious works. Grateful for the rest my soul finds in Him and for the privilege of inviting others to come to Jesus for rest for their souls as well.

Was great to meditate on the last 3 verses this morning.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

"Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone, thou must save and thou alone."

Reminded of how sweet it is to be in Christ today!

How thankful I am for a Savior that invites me to come to Him for rest, that His yoke is easy, His burden is light. I confess that I don't always act like His burden is light. Obedience can seem difficult, but I must remember the truth--that apart from Christ a person is a slave to sin. That is a heavy burden. Obedience is truly a get to, not a got to.

Jesus was called a "friend of tax collectors and sinners" because he spent time with them and truly cared for them as a friend would by helping them to see their true state before God and their need of salvation. Are we a friend to sinners?

So verses 11 to 15 stand out to me, nevertheless, this chapter is packed with evangelistic awareness, fervor and an outright zeal to do something about it. The question is am I doing it? A call to repent or else really. What a compassionate Father who calls and chooses, but firm. Praying for the unbelievers, yet, praying for the Lord's forgiveness as well, as I tend to sit and waste time....forgive me Father.

"In the day judgment it will be more tolerable . . ." could sound like a consoling message yet as my mind runs to Rev 20 about judgment . . . each judged according to theirs deeds and thrown into the of fire, the second death . . . are there any volunteers for the wading pool section of the lake of fire?
How I love the invite to come to Jesus and leave the heavy work of TRYING TO MY SOUL. In Jesus I find the rest that I need.

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