14 day plan

Resting...

Day 1 of 14

NIV

Matthew 11:28-30

28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Series Introduction : What sustains us in the midst of life’s challenges? After two years of living through a pandemic, we all need sustenance that will enable us to move forward in faithful devotion to our great God. The wonderful truth of the Scriptures is that this is not just about us trying harder, but it is God himself who upholds and sustains us. This series reminds us of God’s character – that he is a God who loves and reaches out, offering grace and words of life. As we rest in the truths of who he is, what he has done, what he promises to continue to provide, and the certainty of our hope, we will find rest and strength for our souls. 

Reflection:  It’s early in a new year and already I am weary. Summers in Australia are hot and, where I live, humid. But it’s not the humidity that’s wearing me down. It’s continuing to live with COVID, an experience that has changed the shape of our lives in ways we could never have imagined. I’m tired of living with discombobulation and uncertainty. I had thought 2022 would be different. We have a vaccine that offers protection and rapid antigen tests that let us know quickly if we are infected. But as well as COVID, the normal stuff of life continues.

Dear friends receive a diagnosis of cancer; a precious family member dies; we welcome a new granddaughter into our family. There are new jobs and family relocations. Events sad and joyful which seem that much more complicated during what seems to be an ever-present virus. It wears me out. I find these words spoken by Jesus calming and soothing. Our Saviour is with us in this perplexing time. What I love about Jesus’ words here is the glimpse he gives us of his heart – he is gentle and humble. When we’re tired and troubled, Jesus meets us with gentleness. And notice these words: ‘I will give you’. Rest is his gift to us. As we come to him, his eyes see us, his ears hear our cries, and he offers us rest – rest for our souls.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, thank you that you are a Saviour who is gentle and humble in heart. You have not left me to face life on my own. Please lift the burdens I carry this day. Carry them on your shoulders that never give way. Remind me afresh that you love me enough to lay down your life for me. May these truths be balm for my weary soul to renew and refresh. Amen.

Matthew 11:1-30

Jesus and John the Baptist

1After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

2When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

4Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

7As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it is written:

“ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way before you.’

11Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. 13For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15Whoever has ears, let them hear.

16“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

17“ ‘We played the pipe for you,

and you did not dance;

we sang a dirge,

and you did not mourn.’

18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

Woe on Unrepentant Towns

20Then 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. 22But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23And 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. 24But 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

25At 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. 26Yes, 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. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”