NOTES:
1] Omitting 20-24 shortens the reading but removes some of the punch from what Jesus says. Or is that the way we like it? 2] Jesus (16-17) observes everything going on round him. 3] Try a concordance to see why the towns mentioned might cop it from Jesus. 4] The Romans made captured enemies walk under a 'yoke' of  spears as a sign of their subjugation.

WARMING UP: Do we ever feel like denouncing / cursing people, but don't cos it's not the done thing?

TREASURES OLD & NEW: Identify God at work in anything this week?

EXPLORING GOSPEL:

15-19    How interested are we in observing people & learning from them? Do we ever have the opportunity to watch children at play today? Do they still play at weddings & funerals? (Maybe children of today's Palestine / Israel are too practised at playing funerals?) What might we learn from watching children play video games compared with games we used to play? Have we ever been 'put down' as 'mad', 'gluttonous', 'drunkard', 'keeper of bad company' or similar? Do we ever put anyone else down in similar vein? Is it a profitable exercise? For whom?

20-24    What would we expect the reaction to be if one of today's religious leaders attacked a town or region as Jesus attacks the towns here? Would the thought of Jesus pronouncing this kind of judgment on our city make any difference to the way we face issues? Does who we are, our racial background, our status in the community, all that kind of thing, count for much in the face of such an onslaught as Jesus makes here? What are the issues our community needs to address, repent from, & make right in God's eyes? What role can we play in freeing us from such a judgment - & its consequences?

25-27    In our education driven society, how can we convince anyone it's better to be simple & uncomplicated as babies rather than educated & intelligent? Is this where true wisdom, as distinct from education, comes into play? What is the essence of wisdom? (In ancient times, Sophia, the Greek word for wisdom, was commonly personified as a god or even a 'face' of God.)
            What does 'no-one knowing the Son except the Father', & vice versa, mean? Is Jesus contradicting today's common belief that knowledge of God is open to anyone & everyone who wants it? Can we know anything about God unless & until God reveals it? How does that revealing take place?

28-30    What heavy burdens are we carrying? Still? What 'rest' do we need Jesus to give us? How does that work? Are we so subjugated to Jesus that we're seriously under his yoke? How can a yoke be 'easy' & a burden 'light'?Are we better at coming to Jesus to find rest than we are at taking his yoke upon us? Are we better at taking his yoke than coming to find rest? Or, have we experienced the benefit of both coming & taking?