Is This Man the King?

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Opening Prayer

It’s about You, Lord. Your Kingdom, Your power, Your glory, be very large in me.

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.” ^[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.”

Meditate

“Jesus is the one figure who, like no other, has changed lives, shaped culture and offers one sure hope for the future. He is the incomparable Christ” (John Stott, 1921-2011).

Think Further

Have you ever wished you could have been among the crowd as Jesus traveled through Galilee, healing the blind and lame and preaching the kingdom of God? How would you have responded?

I expect I would have stood on the edge, with lots of questions running through my mind. How do I know that he can really hear now? Is there some kind of pretense going on? Would I have seen God at work and responded with repentance?

I think, to my shame, probably not at first. Certainly the religious men in the nation were suspicious of Jesus. He had no training in the law. He was just a carpenter, from an unimportant family in an insignificant town. How dare he condemn the towns in Galilee and say that Tyre, Sidon and Sodom, evil Gentile cities, would be better off in the judgment!

And yet there was something intriguing about him. What if he was from God? He certainly thought he was, and spoke to God as if he had a special relationship with him. That was not like the religious leaders, who seemed to know the law, rather than knowing God himself. If the mighty deeds he performed were genuine, then surely he must have God’s power. He says that God reveals his truth to little children, not to the wise and learned. Certainly children and simple folk believe in him, so why should others question? He says he reveals the Father to those he chooses. If that is so, then I want that revelation. I want to believe and to come in repentance to him. He promises relief to the weary, that we may learn from his humble heart.

Apply

Do you need rest for your soul? Commit your weariness and burdens to Jesus. How can You learn from his gentle and humble heart in the midst of your life’s experiences?

Closing prayer

Lord Jesus, amidst the frenzied days that are sometimes my life, I need Your place of rest and renewal. Renew my strength and refresh my soul.

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