Matthew 11:16-30 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 11:16-30 on biblegateway.com
Verse 16"But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, Verse 17'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.' Verse 18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon'; Verse 19the 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." Verse 20Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. Verse 21"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. Verse 22But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. Verse 23And 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. Verse 24But I tell you that on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you."
Verse 25At 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; Verse 26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. Verse 27All 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. Verse 28"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Verse 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. Verse 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Devotion
Standing up to hecklers in the “peanut gallery,” who call us to listen to them and not our conscience, takes courage. More than two hundred years ago, those standing for independence in what became the United States had to show their courage and make a decision: to whom will we listen?
No matter what Christ and Christ’s disciples do, there will be hecklers in the peanut gallery. John came and they critiqued his lifestyle. Jesus came and they mocked him. Christians today deal with the same challenge: to whom will we listen?
Jesus calls us to think, listen and do differently than the peanut gallery encourages. In a world wanting to divide us by geography, lifestyle, race, gender and class, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens.” All are welcome. The peanut gallery has no power. All are invited to hear God’s call.
Prayer
Liberating God, you set us free from the need to please the peanut gallery and give us the opportunity to live differently, to proclaim release to all who are burdened by expectations not from you and who struggle to hear your call. Help us to carry our load, knowing when we trust in you, your yoke is easy and your burden is light. Amen.