7.25- Sheila tried to follow Jesus in several ways.

 7.25-

Sheila tried to follow Jesus in several ways.

Teaching and preaching the good news of Jesus is important work.  She read the word of God daily. 

From shuffling papers as a teacher in her own playschool at home to teaching kindergarten students to teaching children’s Bible classes on Wednesday evening she was happy to try to help children be all they could be.  She was willing to get down into the muck and mud of life that the children lived in to make their lives a bit better.

 She wasn’t interested in wasteful luxury.  She understood that the  work we would do as school teachers, coaches or ministers in the church that luxury would not be a major part of our lives.  That was fine with her.  She was content.  She did not burden the work of God’s people with demands that she have a burden free life.

 She did not care to be an upfront kind of leaders.  She felt the greatest were like the least.  The least in Jesus group would be greater than any other kingdom of system.

 

She told stories of Elijah and his trust in God to provide everything needed to His children.

 She knew that the world beats to its own drum, but that was the march she wanted to keep.  She heard the sound of the voice of God as her marching rhythm.  The word of Jesus settled the matter for her.

 She made her home full of joy because Jesus lived in her home.  Because He was with her then good food and drink were a part of what she provided.  She protect her home from unnecessary chaos and disorder. She was a gatekeeper watching out for unnecessary intrusions into her children’s lives.

 She had seen plenty of interventions of God to help her in answer to her prayers.  This movement of God to help her made her want to align completely with Him.  A drive for forgiveness of any wrong and closeness to Him was important to her every month of life that I was with her including the last month.

 When she was weary and burdened she turned to God for strength and relief.

Matthew 11.

11 When Jesus had finished [a]giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and [b]preach in their cities.

2 Now while in prison, John heard about the works of Christ, and he sent word by his disciples, 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or are we to [c]look for someone else?” 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 those who are blind receive sight and those who limp walk, those with leprosy are cleansed and those who are deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the [d]gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is [e]any person who does not [f]take offense at Me.”

Jesus’ Tribute to John

7 As these disciples of John were going away, Jesus began speaking to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 [g]But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ [h]palaces! 9 [i]But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it [j]is written:

‘Behold, I am sending My messenger [k]ahead of You,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’

11 Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who 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 has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who [l]was to come. 15 The one who has ears to hear, [m]let him hear.

16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call out to the other children, 17 and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a song of mourning, and you did not [n]mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a [o]heavy drinker, a friend of tax collectors and [p]sinners!’ And yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

The Unrepenting Cities

20 Then He began to reprimand the cities in which most of His [q]miracles were done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the [r]miracles that occurred in you had occurred in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in [s]sackcloth and ashes. 22 Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will be brought down to Hades! For if the [t]miracles that occurred in you had occurred in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you.”

Come to Me

25 [u]At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and have revealed them to infants. 26 Yes, Father, for this way was well pleasing in Your sight. 27 All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son determines to reveal Him.

28 “Come to Me, all [v]who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find [w]rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.”