“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  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.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Are you tired of the constant pressure to be someone that you are not?  This world presses in and demands of us things that are not ours to have.  The Lord created you to be whom He created you to be.  Give the world-weariness to Jesus and learn to be whom He is making you to be.  He will give you direction.  In Him alone do you find rest.  He, the author and finisher of your faith, will accomplish what He intends.

Lord, You do not free me to do as I please.  You have told me that I am to take the yoke You give me so that I may be guided by You.  Help me to not chafe at the yoke, but willingly be guided by You.  Help me now and always to seek the gentle and humble heart that You grant to the faithful.  Free me from the sorrows of this age to live in the rest You give, knowing that I am in Your hands.

Lord Jesus, You were constantly working during Your earthly ministry.  Help me to see the model You gave and to follow it.  You do not want me to sit around doing nothing, but neither do I need to be always busy as if trying to prove something.  Help me to choose the better portion.  Through all that I do, lead me by the yoke You have given me to walk in the right direction.  May I learn to rest in You through all that I do.  Amen.

“All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him” (Matthew 11:27).

No one knows.  There are many pretenders who think they know.  We know what we have been told.  Who can understand completely the marvels of the universe.  Very intelligent people spend a lifetime and what do they know?  Very little.  This is not bad, it’s just the reality of human limits.  Yes, seek knowledge, but do not approach God as if you are “knowing.”  The wicked heart of deceit thinks that equality with God is something to be grasped.

Lord, I love learning, but let me learn with humility.  Like a child seeing how things work, guide me to understand that I will only know a small bit.  That is okay.  Help me to be content with whatever portion You give me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to live  this life looking to You, the One who is the Maker of all things.  Thank You for the privilege of being introduced to Your Son

Lord Jesus, You came humbly, and You have walked among us.  Lead me to walk with the same humility so that I may live the life You have given me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy so that I may learn what You share from all knowledge, passing what I learn to others.  Guide me Lord in the way You would have me go.  May I not be puffed up with the knowledge You grant me but learn and share as I live life.  Amen.

“At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will” (Matthew 11:25-26).

Our faith is not something you figure out.  It is a gift of the Holy Spirit.  It is something you would not think up on your own.  The Lord knows who will come to Him.  The ones who think they are somebody are running on their own steam.  The ones who come knowing they need all the help they can get from the Lord are living in truth.  It makes it simple when you realize you really do need Jesus.

Lord, You are not saying that only the brainless make it.  You are saying that those who think they are smart and have all things figured out are depending only upon themselves.  You have given me the ability that You have given me.  Help me to overcome those times where I think I have it all figured out, and to come to the place where I know what I know and the first thing I know is that there is much that I do not know.

Lord Jesus, You have come into this world to save as many as would come to You.  Trying to figure everything out first is not what you call us to do.  Understanding that You have come to save us is the first reality.  Lead me into all truth and help me to learn how to trust You.  Guide me in truth, Jesus, and if You show me something, help me to share it with humility.  You, in Trinity, are the One who knows all things.  Amen.  

Scripture: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Script

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, everyone!

Pastor: Boys and girls, what are some of the things you have to do before you eat your food?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: In my house, we wash our fruits and vegetables before we eat them. We also wash our hands before we eat. Does anyone else here wash your hands before you eat?

Sammy: Boys and girls, why do you wash your hands before you eat?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: Oh I get it! We have to wash away the dirt and germs so we don’t get sick. It’s a good thing that the Pharisees were concerned about the health of the disciples.

Pastor: Actually, Sammy, they weren’t concerned with their health.

Sammy: Are you sure? When you read the gospel today, I thought I heard that the Pharisees didn’t like germs. And they really like clean hands.

Pastor: Sammy, the Pharisees wanted to look clean, but they were not clean in their hearts.

Sammy: What do you mean, Pastor? How do you have a clean heart? How can I use soap on my heart?

Pastor: Jesus gives us clean hearts. Out of our mouths come the words of our hearts, and people have evil things in their hearts.

Sammy: That’s why we need Jesus.

Pastor: Yes, we need Jesus to create in us a clean heart and to renew a right spirit within us. He can help us do just that.

Sammy: How did Isaiah know that the people living at the same time as Jesus would have unclean hearts?

Pastor: Isaiah is a prophet, and prophets receive words from God about present, near future, and far future events. They see mountaintops of events to come, just the peaks, as God gives them sight.

Sammy: And Isaiah saw many glimpses of Jesus’s life before Jesus was born to Mary.

Pastor: Yes, Sammy. Remember, before Abraham was born, I am.

Sammy: Does everyone remember the verse we practiced: “I am the bread of life.” John 6:35. Will you repeat after me? “I am the bread of life.” John 6:35.

Pastor: Let’s pray: Dear Jesus, thank you for creating clean hearts in us. Thank you for calling us to love you and serve you, not just with clean hands, but with clean hearts, too. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

“But I tell you that on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you” (Matthew 11:24).

 We each have different circumstances, but our Lord tells us that we will be judged upon our circumstances and not upon the circumstances of another.  If you have much, much will be expected.  If you have little, use what little you have in praise of the One who has called you to Himself.  No matter the circumstances, we are called to be faithful to the Lord in and for all things.

Lord, guide me away from myself to come to the place where I look to You as the One who provides all my needs.  You have made me what I am, and You have placed me where I am.  Guide me to walk humbly, with You leading the way.  You know what I need even before I ask.  May I spend my time and energy seeking to follow You in all Your ways that You are teaching me.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for freeing me from being one who needs to earn Your approval each day. Remind me that this is not a contest, but a journey of walking with You every step of the way.  Lead me now and forever in the way of righteousness.  Guide me to have an open mind for Your guidance and a willingness to accept the circumstances in which You have placed me.  Continue to teach me how to be faithful.  Amen.

“But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you.  And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven?  No, you will be brought down to Hades.  For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day” (Matthew 11:22-23).

Those who deny the Lord are always looking for signs and wonders.  Never satisfied, they are seeking what it is for themselves.  Jesus could be the pastor for some Christians, and they would still complain.  All they want could be given them and they still would not be happy.  Learn how to be content with the Lord.  Just the Lord.  If everything in the world is  taken, like Job, still be content with the Lord.

I say that I am with You Lord, but You know better.  There is always something more I desire.  Teach me to be content in all things.  Help me to get over myself and to be thankful for what You have given me.  Help me to not ignore what You have done, nor what You are doing.  Guide me in Your goodness to look to You with thankfulness for all that You have done, and are doing in hope of what You will do.

Holy Spirit, You know where, like those accursed, I live life without remorse for the times when I do not thank You for all of Your provision.  Guide me deeper into faith, praise, and thanksgiving so that I have a heart of gratitude.  Lead me with humility to not look for signs and wonders, but to be thankful for all that You have given me.  Guide me in Your goodness to live each day as You give it regardless the circumstances.  Amen.

“Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent” (Matthew 11:20). “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Matthew 11:21).

To this day, where those towns once thrived, there are the dead bones of buildings that have not been occupied since the first century, AD.  The towns are rubble.  The hopes and dreams of the community were so self-absorbed that they were of no use.  The King of kings was in their midst, and they returned to their pursuits after what was, to them, a few moments of entertainment.  What a waste!  We are to repent of our selfishness and get right with the Lord.

I often wonder how many around me are pretending to be religious but actually are self-absorbed.  Then, I wonder how often I fall into that category.  Do I really pay attention to what You are doing, Lord?  Am I taking the signs You are giving and allow them to pierce my heart?  Am I truly repentant of my rebellious ways?  I need help to come clean and get it right.  I need what only You can do, Lord, to happen in my own life.

Lord Jesus, where I have been like those who were simply entertained by You, forgive me.  Where I have been so wrapped up in my own business, free me.  Where I have not loved You or my neighbor, correct me.  In all things, save me, empower me, and send me so that I may live the life You have given me.  You must be the One who guides me in life.  Lead me, Lord, so that I may humbly walk where You direct me.  Amen.

“Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent” (Matthew 11:20).

How many hear of the Lord, know of (but not) Jesus, and continue on without any other change in life?  Just going to the church is not being a Christian, but receiving the Word made flesh and walking the narrow path He sets before all disciples.  As it was then, so it is now.  The way of Jesus is being in relationship with Him and walking in His ways.  Many will say that they called upon the name of the Lord on the final day.

In Your word, You said there would be many who called upon Your name, but You did not know them.  Your power comes to us by mercy through grace.  Many go through the motions but their hearts are unrepentant and far from You.  You desire repentance and a sincere heart.  You have called us to move forward and leave behind our unrepentant heart.  You bid us come with You from where we are to where You are leading us.

Come Lord Jesus and lead me this day.  Where my heart is cold and unrepentant, slay it.  Where I am unwilling to carry my cross, rebuke me.  Lead me my Lord and Savior in all of Your ways.  Guide me as only You can to humbly submit to You, my Lord and God to walk in the way You set before me.  You know all that I need and I thank You that You have offered me grace and mercy and through them, salvation.  Amen.

“For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’;  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” (Matthew 11:18-19).

Wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.  What is right is evident.  Too often, we focus upon how it seems a person is behaving rather than why someone is behaving. We judge based upon appearances.  Somber or a party animal, it does not matter.  Grumpy or joyous.  What is going on inside?  The Lord calls us to become whom He has created us to be, and whom He will create us to be in eternity.

Lord, I too judge another because they seem too carefree and then in the next moment, judge another because they seem so introverted and grumpy.  You tell us to look at what they do.  Lead me away from judging these things and seek to build relationships with others with wisdom.  You tell us to go inside and often I just view the outside.  Shift my view of all things to see them as they are.

Holy Spirit, You are constantly nudging me in the right direction.  Help me to understand Your nudges more clearly and to act upon them.  Guide me in Your goodness to mirror what You are showing me.  Lead me to look at life through clear eyes to see things as they are.  Help me to celebrate or mourn appropriately and in all things to look to You for guidance.  Grow in me Your wisdom.  Amen.

“We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn” (Matthew 11:17).

Whether you are jubilant or sorrowful, it does not matter.  What matters is whether you are doing it for yourself or you are seeking the Lord.  Our faith is founded upon a matter of the heart, not upon how you feel.  Sin has been within you and it has been displacing God.  We are the created and He is the Creator.  He gives you gifts to use; but are they used for His purpose?

This world is messed up.  Our priorities are out of joint.  This is the Father’s world.  It was even when sin entered the world.  God’s plan did not stop there.  Our faith is not about making things right, it is about being right with the Lord.  To sing and dance is a fine thing, but to walk with the Lord is life.  Jesus, You have invited us to walk with You.  That invitation stands anew each day.

Lord Jesus, I do come to You for miracles and want to feel what I want to feel.  I mistake me for You. I put myself first.  I am not first.  You did not put Yourself first, even though You are.  Help me to clear all the cobwebs out of my thinking and come to You, the author and finisher of my faith that I may walk humbly with You today.  Lead me to learn and to do those things You place before me.  Amen.