Author: Ron Moore

The queen of the south will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and look – something greater than Solomon is here! Matthew 12:42 HCSB

It is amazing to watch the cell phone advertisements. One of the first smart phones was the Apple iPhone. With each new version there was increased advertising enthusiasm about what the new phone could do and how much better and greater it was than the previous version. People would pre-order the phones and stand in long lines for hours just to get the newer and better phone. Now there are other smart phones on the market and the competitor’s advertisements are always trying to provide a case that their phone is better than the iPhone. There always seems to be something bigger and better coming soon whether it is a phone, television, car, etc.

The queen of the south most likely referred to the queen of Sheba (see 1 Kings 10:1-10). She heard of the wisdom of King Solomon and traveled a great distance to hear the wisdom of this man. Verse 7 proclaims that Solomon’s wisdom far exceeded what she expected. Solomon had been given great wisdom from God, but it did not hold a candle to the wisdom of Jesus Christ. His wisdom was and is far greater than Solomon’s.

Challenge: If the wisdom of Solomon is inferior to Jesus’ wisdom, then we should seek wisdom from the teachings of Jesus. Many of the people who heard Jesus did not recognize Him as a person of great wisdom and rejected Him and His message. Do not make the same mistake. Something better is here! Spend time learning about Jesus and understanding His great teachings. Pray for wisdom in every situation you face.

The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at Jonah’s proclamation; and look – something greater than Jonah is here!” Matthew 12:41 HCSB

On November 7, 2015, Billy Graham celebrated his 97th birthday. His son, Franklin, wrote that his father was not able to physically preach anymore but that his mind was still sharp. He said that his father’s greatest desire is to see people come to Christ and make Him the Lord of their lives. Billy Graham preached the Gospel message around the world and thousands if not millions of people have repented of their sins and accepted Jesus as Lord as the result of his preaching.

The people of Nineveh were a wicked and evil people and Jonah was afraid to go and preach to them in fear of what they might do to him. Consequently God forced Jonah to deliver the message of repentance to the people of Nineveh. As a result, the people repented of their sins and turned to God. Jesus was far greater than Jonah and had performed many miracles, but many of the people refused to repent and follow Him as their Lord and Savior. If the wicked people of Nineveh repented, then how much more should the people that had the opportunity to hear Jesus proclaim the Good News have repented.

Challenge: Possibly everyone who is reading this devotion has heard the message of Jesus Christ, but some still refuse to repent and turn to Him for forgiveness of their sins. How many times have you heard the Good News of Jesus Christ? Have your repented and turned to Christ? Thank God for His love and forgiveness and for providing the opportunity for you to repent and turn from your sins.

For Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.” Matthew 12:40 HCSB

There is a new movie called “Risen” that is coming to movie theaters soon. It is the story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ through the eyes of an unbeliever. A Roman soldier is confronted with the reality that Jesus actually rose from the dead. I have not seen the movie and I cannot recommend it, but it sounds very interesting. I am always interested to see if Hollywood movies hold true to the Biblical account.

In these verses Jesus used the analogy of Jonah being in the belly of the whale for three days before being spit up on the beach and His own death, burial, and resurrection three days later. The “heart of the earth” referred to Jesus being buried and in the tomb before His resurrection. The “Son of Man” is the term that Jesus most frequently used to refer to Himself. The “Son of Man” referenced His humanity while the term “Son of God” referred to His divinity. “Son of Man” used in Daniel 7:13 also described the exalted one that would play a major part in the redemption of mankind.

Challenge: Thank God that Jesus is both human and divine. His humanity made it possible for Him to experience temptation without sin and to serve as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. His divinity made it possible for Him to rise from the dead and defeat death for those who believe in Him. Jesus rose from the grave and is alive today.

But He answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.” Matthew 12:39-40 HCSB

Many people question the reliability and inerrancy of Scriptures, especially those stories that may be hard to believe such as the parting of the Red Sea, the killing of the giant Goliath by a small boy named David, three men being thrown into a fiery furnace and surviving, or Jonah being swallowed by a whale. Some people even try to explain such miracles by natural causes rather than believing in the power of God. The reality is that God’s Word is true from the first word in Genesis to the last word in Revelation. God used human writers but He inspired every word, therefore we can believe every word.

It is remarkable that Jesus referred to the story of Jonah from the Old Testament. Obviously, Jesus knew the Scriptures. Jesus affirmed the reliability of the story of Jonah. This helps us to know for certain that God’s Word is true and it is not just a collection of fictional stories. Jesus used the story of Jonah to illustrate and predict His own death, burial, and resurrection.

Challenge: You can rely on the the accuracy and inspiration of the Holy Word of God. In what ways does this give you hope for the future, knowing that you can trust what Jesus said? Thank God for His Holy Word that has stood the test of time. Every year there are more copies of the Bible sold than any other book. It is the best seller of all times.

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” Matthew 12:38 HCSB

Next year, I plan to travel to Israel with my pastor and a group from our church. My passport has expired and I will be required to get a new passport with a new picture. The passport will be proof that I am who I say I am and that I am a citizen of the United States of America.

The scribes and Pharisees wanted a “sign” or proof that Jesus was the Messiah. It appears that they wanted Jesus to perform a miracle as a way to prove that He was the promised Messiah. They had already witnessed Jesus healing a paralytic man (Matthew 9:1-8) and the healing of the paralyzed hand of a man (Matthew 12:9-10, 14). They had already received their “sign” but they refused to believe that Jesus was the Messiah. Some people seem to have the attitude, “I have made up my mind, don’t confuse me with the facts and truth.”

Challenge: In today’s world there are those who still ask for a sign, saying, “If God is who He says He is then He will . . . (fill the blank). We may not have seen Jesus perform miracles, but we have plenty of evidence that Jesus is who He says He is. He is the Son of God who was born of a virgin, died on the cross, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven. Stop asking for a “sign” and accept what God has already given you. Believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah. Have faith and accept His offer of forgiveness of sin and eternal life.

All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. Matthew 11:29 HCSB

The reference of a yoke in this verse describes a harness that was placed around the neck and shoulders of one or more oxen to connect them to a wagon or plow. Often the yoke was made out of wood and the carpenter would have to make the harness fit the animal. If it did not fit well, the wood would rub blisters and raw spots on the skin of the animal.

Jesus is using the yoke as an illustration of what He requires of people. His requirements are like a yoke that fits well and easy for the animal to pull the load or do the work that is required. Just as a yoke that fits well is gentle, Jesus is gentle and humble in heart. Just as the animal pulls a heavy load, many people are burdened with the heavy load they are carrying of sin, oppression, persecution, and even weariness in search for meaning in life. Jesus can and will help cary the burdens of life.

Challenge: Jesus frees people from the many trials and tribulations in life. The rest that Jesus promises is the love and peace of God. It is not the end of work but rather a real relationship with God. Thank God for the easy yoke He has provided for you.

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 HCSB

As a former student pastor I have participated in more “Lock-in” and “all-nighter” events than I wish to remember. I can recall taking hundreds of teenagers to the local YMCA to spend the night swimming and playing racquetball and basketball along with a variety of other activities. Of course there was plenty of pizza, cookies, chips, and soda. When I finished those events, the only thing I longed to do was go home and get some rest. I was tired and fatigued and my body needed to recuperate.

Our bodies are designed to need rest and relaxation every day. When Jesus said, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened,” He was not talking about someone who had just been a part of an “all-nighter”. Rather, He was referring to the many demands and expectations imposed upon the people by the religious leaders. The Pharisees required the people to follow difficult rules and regulations as the way to salvation. These rules were a burden to the people because there was no way they could keep them. Jesus offered forgiveness of sin and salvation without having to keep any rules. The people only had to believe and trust Him. His ways are easy. We can truly rest when we stop worrying and trust Jesus to take care of any problems or burdens we are experiencing.

Challenge: Are you exhausted and feel like the pressures of life are crushing in on you? Jesus wants all who are struggling to come to Him. In Him you can find peace and rest. Only He can give you what you need.

All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son desires to reveal Him. Matthew 11:27 HCSB

When I was younger I witnessed a crime. I saw a man tearing up a house, breaking fixtures, knocking holes in the walls, and tearing cabinets off the wall. The police came to my house and showed me several pictures of men. I was to pick out the man that I saw committing the crime. I did not know the man, but I recognized him in the photos that were presented to me.

The word “know” has a greater meaning in Jesus’ day than it does to us and our English language. The word “know” indicated an intimate or close relationship. To know someone meant to know them well and understand their thoughts and feelings, much like a close friend or spouse. Jesus indicated in this verse that He and His Father had a very close relationship and that the only way anyone could “know” the Father was through Him. Jesus chooses to reveal His Father to those who believe in Him and have trusted Him as Lord and Savior.

Challenge: It is through Jesus Christ that we can “know” the Father. Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? As believers, how fortunate we are that Jesus has revealed the Father to us and we can “know” Him. Thank God that you can have a close relationship with Him. You can know His truths and ways to an abundant life.

At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to infants.” Matthew 11:25 HCSB

There are well-known people in our world who seem to have attitudes of pride. They take every opportunity to exclaim what they have accomplished, where they have been, how much money they possess, and how much power they have achieved. An attitude of humility is far from their thinking. Often these people are very gifted and they may be eloquent in speech, but the absence of humility seems to overshadow their skills and abilities.

In this verse Jesus mentions two types of people – the wise and learned and infants. The wise and learned are arrogant and believe they are great in their own minds while the infants are like children who are open and trusting and have a humble attitude.

Challenge: Are you wise in your own eyes? Come to Christ with a childlike faith. Be open to His truths and have a humble attitude. Only God is all-knowing and has all of the answers to life problems so through Him we can experience the abundant life that He desires for each of us. Pray that you will have a humble spirit and childlike faith.

Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes long ago! But I tell you it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. Matthew 11:20-21 HCSB

One of the principles I taught my children as they were growing up was that good choices would result in rewards and benefits, while poor choices would result in penalties and judgment. Life is filled with choices. Every day we see people who make bad choices and face the judgment of a jury and a judge.

The towns of Tyre and Sidon were known for their wickedness (see Genesis 18-19 and Ezekiel 27-28) Each was destroyed by God for their sins and evildoings. God is a God of love and mercy but He is also a God of justice and must punish sin. He is a Holy and Righteous God and cannot allow the unholiness and corruption of mankind to continue without punishment. The cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida had seen Jesus and experienced His miracles, but they refused to believe that Jesus was the Son of God.

Challenge: We live in a country where there seems to be a church on every corner and every house has a Bible. There is no excuse for the lack of belief. Everyone will face judgment someday. We all have the opportunity to be saved from judgment and have eternal life through repentance and faith in Jesus. Have you repented of your sins and asked Jesus to be the Lord of your life? Woe to you if you are like the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida. There is still time to repent and believe.