Matthew 11:22
   Several things must be kept in mind as one reads this verse. First, Jesus is talking about entire towns. This changes how we understand the verse. Secondly, he is referring to judgement before him at the end, not judgments during time, such as the destruction of these cities. Otherwise he would have spoken of these other cities in the past tense, for they had already faced judgments of that nature. Third, this passage cannot be used to prove levels of judgement in hell. Though it might lend support to such a theory, it cannot prove that there will be levels of torment.
   Having said all of that, we can now get to what this verse is teaching. Jesus, as the judge of all mankind, will judge everybody at one time or another. He will be looking primarily at how people responded to the revelation of God’s Truth that they received. The key is that Jesus’ judgments will be found to be perfect. When he judges people who lived in cities such as Bethsaida and the others he will have the example of those who lived righteous lives though they lived in Tyre to compare them against. Nobody who is condemned to hell from Chorazin will be able to complain when it is considered that some people from Sidon will go to heaven. Thus, Jesus is pointing out the fairness of his standard. He is trying to get the people of these town to see that they will have no excuse. He is inciting repentance.

Bible Reading: Revelation 5:1-9:21

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:14 “I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love for us. Thank You for making Your Truth available. You never fail to give us Your knowledge if we ask for it. You will give righteousness to those who seek it out. You are so good to us, and so fair! Thank You for Your unexpected blessings! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a church looking at growth options. Pray for an older couple with health issues.

Journal Entry #13099

Matthew 11:21
   These towns, which were very well covered by Jesus’ ministry, did not respond significantly. Tyre and Sidon would be thought of as terribly pagan and sin-filled places. Comparing these local towns to them was quite strange, but very appropriate given the situation. Sackcloth and ashes would have been used for any act of extreme repentance in that day. It was not the response that Jesus received, however. Pronouncements of woe such as this were intended to signal great judgment in the future.

Bible Reading: Revelation 1:1-4:11

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:13 “I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him the is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for helping us with our lives. We get so busy sometimes that we cannot even remember our own name it seems. But You always have it all together, and You are in control. All praise be to You, Father! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for an elderly woman who gets tired a lot. Pray for a man in a coma.

Journal Entry #13098

Matthew 11:20
   We often marvel at the response to Christ in his day. We see the multitudes that followed him and think about how people loved him. Yet, it seems that the response that Jesus received was nothing like what it should have been. When we compare it to the response to the gospel in our day we think that Jesus got a pretty good response. But, when we step back and consider that this was God the Son in the flesh right there in front of them, their response seems quite pitiful.
   So, Jesus starts reprimanding these towns where he had done so much. He focuses on their lack of repentance. This is so true for us today. Jesus does so much for us, and yet our repentance often comes very slowly, or not at all.

Bible Reading: 1 John 4:1-Jude 25

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:13 “I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him who is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for this beautiful day at church! You know that we appreciate all the days You give us, but this gorgeous spring day is so easy for us to enjoy. We take comfort in very simple things. You are so good to us in that You bless us with simple things, and with the more important things too! Oh Father, how can we forget all that You have done for us through Your precious Son! He is the greatest blessing to our heart. He is better than a thousand beautiful spring days! You have given us so much in him, may we always be ready to serve You as well. Your work is so wonderful, and it is nice to think that You will let us help and serve, and work in Your ministry. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man taking special blood thinning medication. Pray for a church considering growth options.

Journal Entry #13097

Matthew 11:19
   John was a stranger character. He did not socialize in the normal way, nor did he eat common foods. Jesus, on the other hand, was quite sociable. He attended weddings, funerals, feasts, etc. He was involved in all that a righteous person might normally be expected to be involved in. He did not shun those who were of a baser sort. He condemned sin in any and every form, but would at least talk to any and every sinner. As a result, the Jewish leaders accused him of having fleshly desires for food and drink. The truth was that they were jealous of his popularity among the people. Many of the tax collectors were quite rich, and could put on some great parties. Jesus was not a drunkard or a glutton. However, the only way to be assured of this fact would be to spend time with him, which the Jewish leaders failed to do.
   Many would ask if Jesus did indeed drink wine. This is a sticky question because of the implications. However, I believe it is only difficult for those who are unaware of the nature of alcohol. There are many medications served over the counter today that have a good bit of alcoholic content. The wine Jesus would have been drinking likely was not mixed wine with extra alcohol added. In other words, a person would have to drink more than would be expected at a meal in order to become intoxicated. Thus, it is not possible to argue that Jesus never imbibed any alcohol whatsoever. It is possible to argue that he never became intoxicated. I cannot say I have never taken a liquid cough syrup, or other form of medicine, with alcohol in it. I can say that I have never been intoxicated.

Bible Reading: 2 Peter 3:1-1 John 3:24

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:13 “I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for all that You have given us. Your gifts are perfect. You gifts are a good fit for us. You do not call us to something that You do not gift us for. You have enabled us to do exactly what You would have us to do. You provide where You guide, as we say. Your love for us is so great! May we always see Your hand at work as we seek to do what You have given us to do. Our own way always come out poorly. But we can know Your way and walk in it. Thank You, Father! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a missionary in Africa.

Journal Entry #13096

Matthew 11:18
    Jesus was not the only one who the Jewish leaders thought was from the devil. John the Baptist got his share of bad names from these self-righteous hypocrites. Often we find that people will associate their enemies with the worst thing they can think of, even if it makes them look like fools.

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 4:1-2 Peter 2:22

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:13 “I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for all that You have done for us! You are so good and kind to us. We can never thank You enough for Your presence and watch-care. It is so good to know that You are on the throne! We can be settled and peaceful in Your loving embrace. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man who is having trouble with his blood medication. Pray for a woman with high blood pressure. Pray for a man on a wagon train trip.

Journal Entry #13095

Matthew 11:17
    Children will play like they are grownups. In this verse, Jesus is talking about children playing ‘wedding’ or ‘funeral,’ trying to get other children involved. Just as kids don’t always get along, the Jewish leaders did not listen to John and Jesus. They did not take the message seriously.

Bible Reading: James 5:1-1 Peter 3:22

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:13 “I write unto you, fathers, because you have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for each day that You give us to serve You. It is so good to have someone to live for that is always working for our best. Trust is a precious thing, and we know that You are mindful of our trust. It is not a waste to trust You. Thank You for Your faithfulness to us. It is so wonderful! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man recovering from surgery.

Journal Entry #13094

Matthew 11:16
   Jesus used some excellent examples. Here, he is talking about children playing in the streets. Simple, yet profound.

Bible Reading: James 1:1-4:17

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:13 “I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, what mercy is ours through Your Son! You have given us so much, and yet we just keep taking more. May we serve You with our whole lives and offer ourselves to You, to live the way You would have us to. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a lady with cancer.

Journal Entry 13093

Matthew 11:14-15
   Though many might not like it, this was Jesus’ way of saying, ‘Some of you are not listening  but hearing only what you want to hear.’ He was fond of saying this often, because he wanted people to pause and actually think about his words.

Bible Reading: Hebrews 11:1-13:25

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:13 “I write unto You, Fathers, because ye have know him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for being so good to us. Your mercy and grace are amazing! May we understand Your full greatness. You are worthy of our attention and adoration. Thank You for Your Son and all that he means to our lives. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a missionary in Africa.

Journal Entry #13092

Matthew 11:13
   It has been said by many that John was not the promised Elijah of Malachi chapters 3 and 4. However, in Luke 1:17-18 we see quite emphatically that John was indeed the prophet that was promised. Though John denied that he was Elijah in person in John 1:21-23, he made it clear that he fulfilled Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1. Thus, though John was not Elijah come back to earth from heaven, he was the prophesied Elijah. Jesus knew that the Jews would have trouble accepting this fact. They thought that Elijah would return in person at that time.

Bible Reading: Hebrews 8:1-10:39

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:13 “I write unto you, Fathers, because ye have know him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for all that You have done for us. You have given us great blessings at this Easter season. You are gracious and loving to us. We want to praise You for Your great glory. You are worthy of all our praise and more! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a woman with a serious infection. Pray for a man having back pain. Pray for a man having stomach trouble.

Journal Entry #13091

Matthew 11:12
   Once again, if we see the kingdom of heaven as Christ himself, and those who are in Christ, the passage makes more sense. Many have surmised that this verse means you have to take the kingdom by force. They say that the disciples were violently zealous. This is just not consistent with he facts, and does not make good sense. Others say that the sinners of the day were handling it roughly. This again seems untenable. Jesus voluntarily associated with vile sinners and converted them by droves.
   So, the proper understand here seems to be that though Jesus had enjoyed many good responses to his message, it was not being well received by all. These violent ones, the Jewish leaders, would ultimately ‘take it by force’ and put him to death. There were also Zealots who wanted to see the kingdom come immediately, meaning that they wanted to be rid of Roman rule right away. These violent revolutionaries also sought to ‘take it by force’ and make Jesus a king right then. This group was not, however, allowed to succeed in their aim. The Jewish leaders, though more evil in their intentions, were allowed to take Christ in order to carry out the crucifixion.

Bible Reading: Hebrews 4:1-7:28

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:11 “But he that hatheth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not wither he goeth, because the darkness hath blinded his eyes.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for this wonderful day. We always enjoy celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the Light of Life to us. His rising means that we have hope. Without it, we would have nothing. With it, we are emboldened to believe that through him we have those exceeding great and precious promises that You have supplied to us. How can we ever praise You and thank You and glorify You enough? You are worthy of a lifetime of praise, Heavenly Father. You are so good and kind to us! We fail often to see just how nice You are. Please accept our sacrifice of praise as a token of our love for what You have done for us in Christ Jesus. Thank You for Jesus and his resurrection! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a woman with cancer in her head. Pray for a man recovering from surgery. Pray for churches everywhere this morning.

Journal Entry #13090