February 13, 2024

Matthew 11:16-30 (HCSB)
An Unresponsive Generation
16 “To what should I compare this generation? It’s like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to each other: 17 We played the flute for you, but you didn’t dance; we sang a lament, but you didn’t mourn! 18 For John did not come eating or drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’  19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard,  a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’  Yet wisdom is vindicated  by her deeds.” 20 Then He proceeded to denounce the towns where most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent: 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin!  Woe to you, Bethsaida!  For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon,  they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes long ago!  22 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment  than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to Hades.  For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until today. 24 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
The Son Gives Knowledge and Rest
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 infants.  26 Yes, Father, because this was Your good pleasure.  27 All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows  the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son desires  to reveal Him. 28 “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  29 All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me,  because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.  30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Pastor HD Jones
Success in the church will cause other Christians to declare you have “watered down the gospel” and failure in the church will cause other Christians to declare “you made the gospel too difficult”.  We love to evaluate others.  It is one of our favorite pastimes. Have you ever evaluated another family or couple and talked about how messed up they are?  Maybe the husband stays home with the kids or the kids are homeschooled or the dad is too controlling (none of which is bad).  We find ourselves trying to measure up in this game called life. Jesus acknowledged that with the religious leaders. John is a prude and Jesus is a party animal.  Isn’t it amazing that we spend so much time looking at others when we should worry most about ourselves.  Jesus will teach the disciples about removing the log in your eye before helping a neighbor with a splinter. None of us follow Christ in exactly the same way and while we should be an example or encouragement to each other we should never get our self worth by trying to be like other people.  God has created you unique and He wants you to serve by His design.