Opening Prayer: O God our Father, renew our spirits and draw our hearts to thyself, that our work may not be to us a burden but a delight; and give us such love to thee as may sweeten all our obedience. Help us that we may serve thee with the cheerfulness and gladness of children, delighting ourselves in thee and rejoicing in all that is to the honor of thy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Read: Matthew 11:2-19

Reflect: Jesus points out that both John and Jesus fell outside of the acceptable behaviors the religious people approved of, what is Jesus’ conclusion? Why does the religious establishment need such strict standards for those it will accept? How does God’s power when it is on display make those requirements unnecessary?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “O Love Divine, What Hast Thou Done”
O love divine, what hast thou done!
The incarnate God hath died for me!
The Father’s coeternal Son
Bore all my sins upon the tree!
The Son of God for me hath died:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified:

Is crucified for me and you,
To bring us rebels near to God;
Believe, believe the record true,
Ye all are bought with Jesus’ blood;
Pardon for all flows from his side:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified.

Behold him, all ye that pass by,
The bleeding Prince of life and peace!
Come, sinners, see your Savior die,
And say, was ever grief like his?
Come, feel with me his blood applied:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified. Amen.

Closing Prayer: Be bound to Christ for this day and always. Amen.