NOT QUITE WHAT WE WANT
Opening Prayer
Think about your own expectations of Jesus. Ask him to show you today what he offers.
Read Matthew 11:20–30
20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For 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. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
The Father Revealed in the Son
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Has God ever disappointed you?Yesterday’s reading ended with Jesus bitterly saying the people thought he was “not quite what we want”—that he drunkenly mixed with undesirables (19)! So he berated them (20–24). These are people he knew well—he had lived in Capernaum (23; 4:13), and Chorazin and Bethsaida were nearby.
But perhaps they were disappointed in what Jesus said and did? He wasn’t what they wanted of their promised Messiah. So they rejected Jesus and his way of ushering in the kingdom, and they chose not to repent (20).
Jesus spoke against them in some of the most challenging and judgmental words he is recorded to have ever used. They wanted a Warrior King, but Jesus is a Shepherd King. Look at verses 29 and 30. What words does he use to describe himself and his ways? If you use several different translations, you will find words such as gentle, humble, rest, freely, easy, refreshed, renewal, unforced rhythms, grace, lightly… What is Jesus offering, to them and to us? How does that compare with what you want from Jesus?
Apply
How often do you find yourself still trying to bear the burden of “earning” your salvation? Choose today to let Christ lead; just be who he calls you to be instead of constantly trying to do.
Closing prayer
God, I need You. My heart cries out for You to be enough for me. Quiet the voice that says I must do and let me rest in You.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.