Daily Devotional in Matthew 11

Daily Nugget:
“For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.” Matthew 11:18-19

You surely have heard the saying, “You can’t please all the people all the time?” It certainly is true, especially when one tries to live for the Lord.

John the Baptist experienced criticism. Jesus noted of the prophet that there was none greater than John (Mat. 11:11), yet that godly man was accused of being demon-possessed (Mat. 11:18). Jesus, the sinless Son of God, was also charged of being gluttonous and a drunkard (Mat. 11:19).

If the great spiritual giants and God’s only Son were wrongly accused and spoken of by some, Christians should not be surprised when things get twisted around, and are talked about negatively. Here are some thoughts when your reputation is being questioned:

• If it is true, then we have some humbling, apologizing, and changing to do.
• If it is not true, then consider the source of the rebuke. In John the Baptist’s and Jesus’ case, it was people that Jesus considered immature “children” (Mat. 11:16). Is the one speaking ill of you someone who has great discernment or someone who is in the flesh and not being led spiritually? If so, their rebuke should not be valued highly.
• If the rebuker is seeing things the wrong way, or not hearing both sides of the situation, it is their error, not yours.
  “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Proverb 18:13
• Some spoke negatively about Jesus. How could we expect better treatment than God’s sinless Son received?

It is impossible to please all the people all the time, so do not try to do so! Do what God has laid on your heart, or His Word has shown you to do. Always please God first. He is the One to which we must answer to ultimately.

Today’s Thoughts:
“If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of itself.” — Moody
“When I did well, I heard it never; when I did ill, I heard it ever.” — Old English Rhyme
“The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.” — Socrates


Words to Understand:
Lamented: saddened; mourned
Prudent: discerning with sound judgment
Publican: a collector of taxes
Raiment: clothing
Upbraid: criticize

Daily Reading: 
Matthew 11
1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
7 ¶ And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
16 ¶ But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
25 ¶ At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.