Dig Deeper:
DOES ANYBODY GET THIS??? The frustration is evident as Jesus speaks in this chapter. First, His cousin, John the Baptist, sends his disciples to go and ask Jesus if He's actually the Messiah or if there will be somebody else who actually looks like a Messiah. After all of the miracles Jesus has performed and scriptures that He's quoted, nobody, not even His own cousin (or His immediate family, as we see in other parts of the gospels), really believes He's the Messiah at this point. Jesus doesn't look like what people were expecting a Messiah to look like, so they were incredulous. In what ways do you miss God acting plainly in front of you because it doesn't look like how you expected God to act?
KINGDOM WATCH: We normally think of the Kingdom of God in glorious terms, descending from the clouds at the end of time gleaming and shining. And that day will come. But not yet. Jesus explains that during His ministry on earth, the Kingdom of Heaven will be subjected to violence and will constantly be plundered by evil doers (v11). This pattern will continue until that new day comes, so be aware that as a citizen of this Kingdom, the easy days are the exception.
MORE BEARABLE FOR SODOM: This is the second of two times Jesus uses this phrase in Matthew's gospel. Sodom is of course the ancient city known for rampant homosexualism that God destroyed with fire & brimstone because it was so audaciously evil. So when the Son of God indicates that the towns who have rejected Him as the Messiah and Savior will face a fate worse than Sodom, it demonstrates just how evil and reprehensible it for people to purposefully turn their back upon Christ.
MEMORY VERSE: It's been too long since we've set aside a memory verse, but we can't skip this one:
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.”
Prayer Tips:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Father, Lord of heaven & earth, thank you for revealing yourself to us through Jesus.
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Make us accepting of your salvation in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
