Open Our Eyes to Jesus

Still walking to Jerusalem with Jesus, there are people along the way who want to trip up Jesus' ministry. Even today there are people who want one more miracle and then they will believe. The Pharisees and others asked for miracles, but not so they would believe in Jesus. They already had seen enough of Jesus' miraculous acts to believe. Instead, their hearts were closed to believing in Jesus, the Messiah.

"Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."  He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."" (Matthew 12:38-40 NIV).

It is sad that there are still people who see all that Jesus did for them and they still don't believe. It breaks my heart when I hear of someone who doesn't believe. Most of my prayers to God are said for family and friends, pleading for them to know Jesus and experience a relationship with Him. I want them to know the blessing of walking with Jesus as a personal Friend and Savior.

In the scripture above, Jesus is saying that His resurrection proves to all that He is the Messiah they have been waiting for! Three days after His crucifixion Jesus came back to life, just as Jonah was given a second chance at life after spending three days in a big fish.

Thank You, God, for sending Your Son Jesus to give us all a second chance at life. We believe Jesus wiped away our sins when He died on the cross, then rose again on the third day. Lord, empower our belief so we can share our faith with others who need You so much. Walk with us, Jesus, as we remember Your last days on earth and the sacrifice You made to save us. We praise You and love You, Lord. And we pray in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Releasing Our Burdens

What is weighing you down today? Is it finishing your tax return; the heavy burden of concern over cancer in a loved one; struggles with a difficult child; financial woes as the stock market takes a dive; a past sin that remains in your mind, even after Jesus wiped it from your soul; concern over how to afford groceries this week; or a multitude of little things that keep handing off our shoulders. Stop a moment and take these words from Jesus to heart:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light," (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV). 

I have always loved these verses. There is such peace within the promises of Jesus! Let yourself take a deep breath, close your eyes and rest in the Lord. Jesus promises love, healing, and peace with a relationship with God. He isn't saying there will be no trouble or work or struggles in life. Jesus says if we allow Him to walk with us (as if we shared a yoke with Him) the burden will never be too heavy.

Heavenly Father: we come to You today to drop our burdens and ask You to carry them for us. We are tired and weary and need Your rest. Lift us up, Lord, for we want to learn from You. Thank You for being gentle and humble in heart. We accept Your easy burden while we let go of the pains and struggles we have carried so long. Give us rest Lord, we pray in the Holy Name of Jesus, Amen.