Matthew 11:20-30

Woe on Unrepentant Cities

Frankly, most of the people that came to see Jesus, came to see His miracles. The unfortunate part was that they, generally, ignored His message and didn't repent. Jesus then began to denounce the cities in which most of the miracles had been performed.

 

1. Even, if you are not familiar with the location or the stories associated with Korazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, what is one thing that these cities had in common?

2. What does an "unrepentant city" look like? 

-When we think, "unrepentant city," do we think of New York City or Las Vegas? What about Ames, Nevada, Story City, Boone, Gilbert or Ankeny? Are these "unrepentant cities?"

3. Jesus indicated that if the people of Tyre and Sidon had seen the miracles performed in Korazin and Bethsaida, they would have "repented in sackcloth and ashes." 

-As a side note...what are "sackcloth and ashes." Why would people in a repentant city put these on?

-If the city that you live in saw Jesus' miracles, what would its response be?

Rest for the Weary

 Jesus indicated, in v 25, that the things of God were being hidden from the "wise and learned" and were instead being revealed to little children.

1. Who were the "wise and learned?" 

-Why would God hide anything from these people?

-If they were so "wise," why didn't they figure out the things of God on their own?

-Who are the "wise" people of 2008? Are the things of God being hidden from them still?

2. Why would God reveal these things to little children?

-Wouldn't it make more sense for God to reveal His wisdom to those that were older or more "wise and learned?"

 

3. Review v 26

-Why would God find pleasure in hiding these things from the "wise" and revealing it to little children?

4. Review v 27

-Is Jesus really the only Way to God?

-What about Hinduism, Buddhism, or Islam? Could you not use these ways to get to know God?

Jesus made an invitation to the overburdened around Him. Let's take a few minutes and discuss the invitation.

1. Review vs 28

-Have you ever felt weary and burdened? Is this a physical feeling? Or, does it have an emotional and spiritual component also?

-What were some ways in which you attempted to alleviate your weariness? Did you feel that your burden was lifted with those methods?

2. Review Jesus' invitation in vs 29 and 30

-How could Jesus' teachings give your soul rest?

-Have you experienced this rest that Jesus is offering you?

 

Teacher: Jeff Dodge

Matthew 11: 20-30