February 05, 2025 | Be God's Family
Unrepentant Hearts and Tired Souls
Scripture: Matthew 11:20-30(NIV)
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.”
Devotional
A yoke is a wooden bar that was fixed around the necks of two oxen so they would pull together. The Bible uses it dozens of times metaphorically to describe the things we attach ourselves to as human beings. Here Jesus told His followers, “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.”
This had to be good news for the twelve disciples. They had just been sent out on a mission where Jesus promised them all sorts of persecution. And they had just witnessed Jesus taking a second tour through the towns and villages where His popularity had soared due to miracles and healings. But this round Jesus denounced them, saying they were worse than the worst pagan cities of their day and the worst godless city of the Old Testament. All the places they and Jesus went were unrepentant and headed for judgment. Ugh.
Sensing their defeat, Jesus turned to all who would listen and said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” What a promise! What a blessing! Jesus is the source of true rest for our souls. When we yoke ourselves to Him, we always pull in the right direction. In fact, He does most of the pulling. After all, His yoke is easy. His burden is light.
In what ways does your load need lightened?
How does your soul need rest?
How is Jesus wooing you toward His gentle and humble heart?
How can you yoke yourself to Him?
What are some steps you can take?
Poem
For My Child
Psalm 50
Come, my child, and let me share
The miraculous ways of the Lord
Great works of love clear His path
As He speaks words only few will hear
Yes, He speaks, but wise and learned ones
Ignore the call to repentance
Though His glory shines upon the earth
Only the children see
Only the humble comprehend
Only they will come and lay their burden down
To rest in the forgiveness grace extends
Yes, God comes
For some, a great advent of rejoicing!
For some, a great fire of judgment!
O child, learn from Tyre, Sidon and Sodom
Do not test the Lord’s patience!
Know, my child, the Great Creator
Is not dependent upon your sacrificial life
For already He knows your heart
Already He owns all of creation
Already, everything there is to know—
Yes, He knows
So be ready, my child
For the whisper of God to
Fall upon your ear
For God is speaking
Be ready, my child
For the light of God to
Shine upon your way
For God is revealing
Be ready, my child
For God’s visitation to
Call you into new life
For His glory will be seen in you
Be ready, my child
For God’s judgment of the earth to
Re-create the Eden
For those who come to Him
Be ready, my child
For God’s deliverance to
Give you deep rest
For a new yoke will be fashioned
All for you, my child
