Key Thought

The New Testament makes strong and exclusive claims for Jesus. These claims are not based just upon the conclusions of men, but go back to several powerful claims of Jesus. While these claims are most clearly seen in the Gospel of John (the "I Am" statements of Jesus and the emphasis on the Son's knowing and doing the Father's will), they occur in the other Gospels as well. In this statement, Jesus is claiming to be the only one to really know the Father and his will. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks as one who has authority, making clear the will of God. As he leaves the earth, he does so with all authority -- in both the spiritual realm ("in heaven") and in the physical realm ("on earth"). The bottom line for Jesus' followers is what we do in response to Jesus as Lord. What we believe about him and who we believe him to be determine everything of lasting and eternal value in our lives.

Today's Prayer

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Sacrificial Father, thank you for sending Jesus so I could know you and your will. Your love and kindness in sending him has given me confidence that when I stand before you in judgment, it will be to hear you say, "This is my child, whom I love, and in whom I am well pleased." For this hope and assurance, I offer you my praise, my life, and my all. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Then Jesus criticized the cities where he did most of his miracles. Jesus criticized those cities because the people there did not change their lives and stop sinning. Jesus said, "It will be bad for you Chorazin. It will be bad for you Bethsaida. I did many miracles in you. If those same miracles had happened in Tyre and Sidon, then those people in Tyre and Sidon would have changed their lives a long time ago. Those people would have worn sackcloth and put ashes on themselves to show that they were sorry for their sins. But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be worse for you than for Tyre and Sidon. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No! You will be thrown down to the place of death. I did many miracles in you. If those same miracles had happened in Sodom, {the people of} Sodom {would have stopped sinning and it} would still be a city today. But I tell you it will be worse for you in the day of judgment than for Sodom." Then Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. I praise you because you have hidden these things from the wise and smart people. But you have shown these things to people that are like little children. Yes, Father, you did this because this is what you really wanted to do. "My Father has given me all things. No person knows the Son--only the Father knows the Son. And no person knows the Father--only the Son knows the Father. And the only people that will know about the Father are those people the Son chooses to tell. "Come to me all you people that are tired and have heavy burdens. I will give you rest. Accept my work and learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will find rest for your souls.

— Matthew 11:20-29 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.