Verse of the Day 1/31

Verse of the Day 1/31

Matthew 11:28-29

New King James Version

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 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.

Today's verses are probably familiar to all of us and perhaps memorized by most.  They were highlighted in this morning's "Today in the Word" devotional which I read.

It pointed out something that Charles Spurgeon had said and was was referenced in  pastor Dane Ortlund's" Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers".  "In the four Gospel accounts given to us in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John— eighty-nine chapters of biblical text— there's only one place where Jesus tells us about his own heart." That place is described in today's Scripture verse: "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" (Matt. 11:29).

Jesus' "heart" may have only been referenced in this verse but it is evident throughout the New Testament, especially in the 89 chapters of the gospels. Today's passage in the New Testament reading plan that i follow was in Matthew chapter 20 which ends with Jesus' healing of two blind men.

Matthew 20:32-34  New King James Version

32 So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?"33 They said to Him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened." 34 So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.

Notice is says that "Jesus had compassion".  That is part of His heart.  Not only does He have compassion, but He has and offers mercy, grace, forgiveness and healing. It is a natural thing for us to "cry out to Jesus" when we are in need of something physically or spiritually.  We depend on His heart, His compassion and count on it being renewed every day.  That is His heart.

I quote this song often because it comes to mind often as I read through the gospels.  Like the blind men in the verses above, we should not be shy to "cry out to Jesus" when we are in need.  He'll take time out of His "busy schedule" to give us what we need.

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Matthew 11:25-30

New King James Version

Jesus Gives True Rest

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."