Matthew 11:25-30
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Earlier in Matthew 11, we heard Jesus denounce childish expectations and unbelief. In today’s passage Jesus commends the kind of childlike faith that opens the way for a person to know God. Read Matthew 11:25-30 with this in mind.
There’s a difference between being wise and being jaded. A truly wise person is discerning and loving, keenly aware of others and deeply centered. A jaded person may think themself wise, but their shrewdness tends to come from a place of fear and self-preservation.
In this passage Jesus thanks God the Father for revealing truth to those who have met the challenges of life and kept their hearts open. Like children, they still believe that all things are possible.
How does the idea of childlike faith being the root of wisdom strike you? Take a moment to consider this and then talk to Jesus about your thoughts.
Read Matthew 11:25-30 again, and when you come to the invitation of Jesus, imagine you are hearing Jesus speak directly to you.
Jesus states clearly that to know him is to know God, and he also asserts that it is within his authority to choose those who will be given the incredible privilege of knowing God. And then he extends an invitation…to “all.” All who are exhausted of trying to navigate life their own way, all who have burdens of pain, sadness or worry. All are welcomed by Jesus. They only need to lay down their self-sufficiency and come to him like a child.
Read these words of Jesus again a couple of times stopping to talk to him when a word or phrase stands out:
“Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am gentle and humble at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
As you end this time of meditation, imagine yourself as a child coming to Jesus. Stay with this image for a while picturing the open arms of Jesus and noticing what you do.
What do you sense Jesus inviting you to do today?
How will you respond?
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