Matthew 11, John's Question and the Call to Rest

When I had finished giving instructions to my twelve disciples, I moved on from that place. I went out to teach and to preach in their towns, one after another.

Far away, John was in prison. Word reached him there about the things I was doing. And so he sent his disciples to me, carrying a question. "Are you the one who is to come? Or should we look for someone else?"

I answered him with what they could see for themselves. I told them to go back and tell John what they heard and saw. "The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk. Those with leprosy are made clean, and the deaf hear. The dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them." "And blessed is anyone who does not stumble because of me."

As John's disciples were leaving, I turned to the crowds, and I began to speak to them about John. "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?" "What did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing live in kings' houses." "Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet."

"This is the one of whom it is written: Behold, I send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you." "Truly I tell you, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist. Yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

"From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force." "For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, who was to come." "Whoever has ears, let them hear."

Then I looked at the people of that generation, and I asked what I could compare them to. "They are like children sitting in the marketplaces, calling out to their playmates: We played the flute for you, and you did not dance. We sang a song of mourning, and you did not mourn."

"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 at him, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners." "Yet wisdom is proved right by her deeds."

Then I began to speak against the towns where most of my mighty works had been done, because they had not repented. "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, in sackcloth and ashes." "But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you."

And then, Capernaum. The town I had made my home. "And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades." "For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."

At that time, I turned my heart to my Father, and I prayed. "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to little children." "Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will."

"All things have been handed over to me by my Father. 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."

And then I spoke the words I most wanted every tired heart to hear. "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."