Find Rest

Matthew 11:20-30

Saturday is already over. Weekends are just way too short. It's not fair. We had leader's meeting for church this morning and discussed what's to come. I'm excited for our retreat that will happen next weekend. I think it'll be a great start into the semester just before everyone starts to get busy. Hopefully it'll get everyone started in the right direction with the right intent. I do kind of want to talk about our Bible Study on Friday because I didn't really blog on Friday. It was the first Bible Study of this semester and I just wanted to put down my thoughts here. Mainly, things I need to work on. One thing I definitely want to get better at is challenging people more. Some questions are just way to easy and I struggle milking out more questions from them. I need to improve on generating more thought-provoking questions. Some people are just gifted with this; I'm not. If anyone has tips, that'd be awesome. I'll try to let you guys know how it's going along the way.

I tried to get some work done today, but I couldn't. I wasn't motivated enough. I opened the book, stared at it. Read the intro, and then stopped at the first equation. It wasn't going to happen. Went back home, and watched "The Godfather." The movie is just epic. And yes, I have never watched the movie till today. I actually watched both Parts I and II and ran out of energy to watch III. I have newfound respect for Al Pacino. Seriously I can't believe I haven't watched this movie before. But yea, that took up all of today. I don't regret it though. It might have even
been productive.

Woe To Unrepentant Cities
Reading: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2011:20-24;&version=31;

This passage is really straightforward. You do not repent, then you will not be recognized. After all of the miracles Jesus has performed for these cities, they did not repent. For those that did, they will enter the kingdom of Heaven. He will pass judgment. So it is crucial for us to repent.

Rest For The Weary
Reading: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2011:25-30;&version=31;

The first part of this reading is confusing. He thanks the Father for hiding "these things." It is unclear what these are. It might be the truth. What comes to mind is the apple in the Garden of Eden. All those things are hidden from us. And maybe Jesus is thanking for that? The other thing it could possibly be is what I read in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31,

"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many of were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God. --that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.'"

What I get from this passage is that the very thing he may have hidden is Jesus Christ. He gave us these lowly things. Many are happy with these things. Things like money, wealth, fame, etc. But something greater than that was hidden. And that's the wisdom of God. That's Jesus Christ. And He gave that to us little children. I don't know, that's what I thought.

The other part ot this reading is taking up His yoke. Now for those who don't know what a yoke is, here's a picture:So we are to take up his yoke because it is easy and the burden is very light. We will find rest in Him. This is especially comforting. I know a lot of you have been stressing out. I know because of the IM's you have been giving me. Find rest in Jesus. It's the only way we can keep sane. It's a tough world out there. Especially now. Find rest in Him. His yoke is easy. :)

Summary:

Woe To The Unrepentant Cities
20-24 Jesus warns the cities Korazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. They will have a tough day of judgment for not repenting. The cities that did repent will have a more bearable judgment.

Rest For The Weary
25-27 Jesus praises the Father for hiding things and revealed them to little children. He says no one knows the Son but the Father and nobody knows the Father but the Son and the people the Son chooses.
28-30 Jesus tells the weary and burdened to find rest in Him. He tells them to take his yoke and learn from Him. His yoke is easy and the burden is light.