[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during July 2026]
By way of a one-off experiment I asked AI the question: “What would be a suitable topic for a reflection during next week?” It suggested that I should look at the words of Jesus as recorded in the Biblical book of Matthew, chapter 11.
‘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 v28-30 [NIVUK]
We recall that, for Joshua, AI meant trouble[1] but can God use it to communicate with his people? There is a caveat with AI: “AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses” but who better to give authoritative advice than God himself?
Early in the chapter we read about John the Baptist who was not sure about some information that he was receiving. This man, who had been so sure about Jesus,[2] now wanted some confirmation. Jesus did not rebuke him for his doubt but sent a message back to John:
Jesus replied, ‘Go back and report to John what you hear and see’
Matthew 11 v4 [NIVUK]
Do we have doubts? Do we feel ashamed of them?
Or, conversely, do we exploit opportunities to share our experiences?
Later in the account Jesus quoted a children’s ditty to criticise those who failed to respond to the message that he and John announced.
We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.
Matthew 11 v17 [NIVUK]
Jesus continued by describing the severe consequences of unbelief. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews put it clearly, in the form of a question:
How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him?
Hebrews 2 v3 [NIVUK]
Are you being indecisive about the message of salvation?
Are you feeling complacent about your faith?
In the northern hemisphere the heat of the summer and the disruption of the so-called holiday season can combine to make us feel stressed and over-whelmed. In the closing verses of Matthew 11 Jesus invites us to come to him for relief and peace of mind. What does this mean in practice? Perhaps an example will help us.
When King Hezekiah received a final demand that he could not meet[3] he did not rant and rave or call down curses on the source of his problems. Rather, he took the letter to God and prayed over it. We can do the same, whether it be a letter or a relationship or a situation that we face.
Approximately 170 years ago Joseph Scriven wrote some lines which should encourage us.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer!
Jesus is waiting to hear from you.
References:
[1] Joshua 7:4
[2] John 1:29
[3] 2 Kings 19:14
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys