Matthew 11:28-30
In this week’s sermon message, we focus in on what I refer to as one of Jesus’ “Greatest Hits”, a promise that comes to us from Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 11, verses 28-30. You all know it.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
This is one of those passages that, if your life is not going well you tend to read and assume it’s for everyone but you. Satan loves to do that, doesn’t he? If he can convince us that we’re condemned, then promises of grace and mercy like this one fly by us practically unnoticed and we continue on a path to self-destruction.
This chapter opens with Jesus issuing a directive to His apostles. He tells them to go their cities and preach and teach. I’m asked the question from time to time, “Are you a preacher or a teacher?” And I like for my answer to always be, “Yes!” As a preacher, it’s my job to proclaim Jesus’ Gospel to you. As a teacher, I need to be able to make that proclamation accessible and workable. This is now the charge given to the apostles.
Next, John the Baptist sends some of his disciples to Jesus. John’s in prison, but he’s heard of Jesus’ great works. He wants to be sure that he got the prophecy regarding Messiah right so John’s followers go to Jesus and basically ask Him, “Are you “The Guy” or do we need to keep looking?”
Verses 4-6. “And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
Jesus then turns His attention to a gathering of people who have come to hear Him teach and He asks them. “Why did you go out in the wilderness to see John? What were you expecting to find?” And He asks this because He knows the answer. Although many people did allow John to baptize them as a declaration of repentance from sin, many more looked at this guy wearing goat skins and eating grasshoppers and honey and refusing to drink wine and declared him a nut. Demon possessed.
Jesus clears up that misperception, telling them that while many went looking for John expecting to see some kind of royal figure with a halo, they missed the fact that he was the “greatest man ever born to woman”, the prophet chosen by God to make a way for the Messiah. And because they misread John, they misread Jesus as well.
This is what happens when, considering Jesus as a means to winning our life back we forsake the gospel’s substance for a “return on investment”. “If I’m going to give Jesus 20 minutes out of my day He sure as heck better do for me what I need done.” The Jews in Jesus’ day wanted a liberator, someone to pull them out from under Roman rule. They weren’t thinking about salvation or redemption. Living life with a Heavenly perspective was largely alien to them. They knew prophecy, but they didn’t know how to apply it.
Jesus then goes on to condemn the cities where He had brought teaching and healing and was still rejected by those who heard and saw Him. He singles out Capernaum, where He was living at the time. Jesus claimed the people of Capernaum saw themselves as exalted, when in fact they were going to end up in Hades. This could easily be a word for our nation today. We see ourselves as somewhat high and mighty, but truth be told we’ve turned away from Jesus. And we do that at our own risk.
Jesus then shares the mystery of His relationship to the Father, reminding us that if we place our faith in that mystery, we are then one of His chosen. And when the day comes that we are standing before the Father, all the Father will see when He looks at us is His Son.
Finally, we get verses 28-30. Verses where our Lord and Savior places not a single demand on us. He sees us for what we are, sinners. Disobedient in every way possible. Our lives turned upside down by our resistance to His grace. And look what He invites us to do. Rest. No works, no penance, just rest. Take our burdens and put them on Him. In return, He places us under the light, comforting control of His yoke. He guides us in His righteousness. He teaches us His ways, meets us where we are and requires nothing more from us then to rest in His presence.
There is no other higher power that offers that opportunity along with grace, mercy and eternal life.
So, as we end one crazy year and embark on another, can I encourage you all to commit to Christ before you commit to your sin. Better an easy yoke than the exhausting demands of being shackled to a sin that’s only going to kill you. Through this ministry, with great intent, Jesus has joined us one to another so that we can help one another stay connected to Him. Let’s resolve to do that better than ever in 2021.
Happy New Year!