Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 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 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
The juxtaposition of these two sections of Matthew 11 makes for interesting commentary. Sandwiched between them are Jesus’ woes addressed to unrepentant cities. Given the context, one might suggest them to be more like a lament over the cities. In the first half of this week’s gospel, Jesus chides those who disparage the ministry of John the Baptist. He takes such criticism as personal when his own association with tax collectors and sinners causes some to label him a glutton and a drunkard. Jesus’ reference to some not joining in the dancing or mourning in the music or wailing of others might seem to be played out in our own present age—when name calling, belittling and mockery of those differently moved than we might be an occasion for reprimand. Such actions or words of criticism might be inappropriate or just wrong given a wider perspective. “Yet wisdom is and will be vindicated by her deeds”. How freeing is this for our generation?
Prayer
Lord, open our eyes, open our ears, and open our mouths to see, hear, and bear the truth you would have us experience. Silently we wait for thee, ready, O God, your will to see. Illumine us, Spirit Divine. Amen. (adapted from the hymn “Open My Eyes, That I May See,” The Other Songbook, 159)