Matthew 11

S - Matt 11
O -
 2 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" 
John the Baptist wants to find out if Jesus is the Messiah - the one whom he had been "preparing the way" for.
5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 6 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." 
Jesus doesn't answer directly, but points to the works done, which are listed in order, with raising the dead and good news preached to the poor at the greater end. Importance is stressed on the good news being preached. Poor could be referring to the poor in spirit. Jesus did not want John to doubt that he is the Messiah.


9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: " 'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' 11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 
John's role was that of a prophet. The Law in the old testament - the old covenant - was in preparation for Jesus' coming. John was the end of that age. John isn't the actual reincarnation of Elijah, but fulfilled the role of the prophet.


They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17 " 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'
flute - wedding - Jesus
dirge - funeral - John
Jews - like children who do not respond to either occassion


18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."


23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."
Again, reference to Sodom. Jesus is saying or "denouncing" the cities in which he performed miracles still lack faith and change in people's lives.


27 "All things have been committed to me by my Father.No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
We are chosen. We don't choose God


28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Seek him for refuge when we are weary and burdened. Take Jesus' yoke upon ourselves. Learn from him by adopting his attitudes.


A yoke is a wooden beam, normally used between a pair of oxen or other animals to enable them to pull together on a load when working in pairs, as oxen usually do
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoke>

A - The analogy at the end - Taking Jesus' yoke upon me. What it means. We can then find rest for our souls (hence "my yoke is easy and my burden is light")

P - catch up with devotions. Not be so tired.
Spiritually not tired. Spiritually fit so I can take Jesus' yoke upon me. We can be yoked together :)