The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 11 Part 5 Jesus Invites Sinners To Repent and Find Rest

We have covered a lot of ground so far in our study of Matthew's gospel.

In chapters one and two, we have the birth and genealogy of Jesus Christ.

In chapter three we have the ministry of Christ's forerunner, John the Baptist, the baptism of Jesus with the Father's declaration concerning His Son, and the Spirit of God descending upon Jesus.

In chapter four Jesus was tempted by the Devil followed by Him beginning, His public ministry, and calling His disciples.

In chapters five through seven, we have the Sermon on the Mount or as some say, the King's manifesto of how the kingdom of heaven will operate.

In chapter eight, we find Jesus healing a leper, the centurions loyal servant casting out demons and calming a storm.

In chapter nine, Jesus healed a man sick with palsy, called Matthew to follow Him, and explained to John's disciples why Jesus' disciples did not fast.

Also in chapter nine, Jesus healed the woman from an ongoing issue of blood, and raised the certain ruler's daughter from the dead.

Jesus followed these actions by restoring the sight of two blind men, and healing a man who was demon possessed and unable to speak.

Then Jesus saw the multitudes as sheep without a shepherd, and He had compassion on them.

In chapter ten Jesus commissioned His disciples to go forth preaching the gospel, and told them how to conduct themselves.

In chapter eleven, Jesus spent time responding to John's disciples, and the question that they asked.

This pointed to the issue that the Jews were not looking for a suffering, Savior Messiah, but for a military triumphant Messiah.

Jesus vigorously defended the character and nature of John the Baptist and His ministry.

Jesus then pronounced severe judgment upon cities where He had done mighty miracles because they refused to repent and believe.

This last paragraph in chapter eleven finds Jesus showing the distinction between the gospel of Christ and the misguided religious activities of the Pharisees and scribes.

Only the humble, simple people who take God at His Word shall find eternal wisdom.

Matthew 11:25  At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 

We must ask what did Matthew mean by the words "at that time?"

Matthew recorded Jesus sending out the twelve to preach the gospel with signs to certify them as spokesmen for God, but he did not tell us about the results. 

Luke's gospel tells us that after He sent out the twelve disciples, Jesus appointed seventy two more to go throughout Israel preaching the gospel of the kingdom and the need for repentance.

Luke then tells us about them returning to Jesus to give their report to their Master. 

The disciples report back to Jesus about the impact of gospel preaching. 

Luke 10:17-20  And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18)  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19)  Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 ) Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

We assume that the twelve disciples met with similar success as the seventy two did.

They returned to Jesus filled with joy over how God used them to preach the gospel throughout the land.

They declared that even the devils were subject to Christ's disciples commands through the power of His name.

Jesus then rejoiced and said He saw Satan fall from heaven like a bolt of lightning. 

Satan and his demons were expelled from heaven by the power of God.

Revelation 12:7-9  And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8)  And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9)  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 

Jesus declaration connects with John's vision of end times where he described war in heaven. 

Michael is the archangel of God who has special responsibility for the nation Israel (See Daniel 10:13; 12:1).

Michael and his angels fought against Satan (the dragon) and the demons who followed him.

Satan could not prevail against Michael and the holy angels in heaven.

Therefore, Satan and the demons who followed him into sin were cast out of heaven.

Jesus gave his disciples power to tread on Satan and his demons and all power of the great enemy of God. 

This seems to look forward to the resurrection of Christ which is His victory over the devil, for Jesus said He would confirm the word of the apostles with signs (See Mark 16:18-20).

Jesus reminded the seventy two about what was most important regarding the results of their preaching.

It was that their names were written down in God's book of life (See Psalm 69:28; Isaiah 4:3; Hebrews 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 20:12; 20:15; 21:27)

Luke's gospel records that Jesus broke into the same prayer of praise that Matthew recorded.

Jesus praised His Father for hiding His wonderful plan of redemption from arrogant ones.

Matthew 11:25-26  At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26)  Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 

Jesus said "I thank thee O Father" which means Jesus was saying "I fully agree , we are perfectly of the same mind and Thou hast acted in all things according to the strictest holiness, justice, mercy, and truth."

Jesus praised His Father for hiding the wonderful things of His saving mission from arrogant and haughty people in the world, who thought highly of themselves because of their learning or wealth or status.

Pharisees and scribes despised humble shepherds and looked down upon the poor with disdain and they were disgusted by any people who were not like them (See Luke 18:11-14).

Instead, the Father revealed His glorious redemptive plan to those who were poor, ignorant, and obscure though they were simple and humble people, they were often the most teachable ones who simply took God at His Word.

"For so it seemed good in thy sight" means the Father was right that His heavenly wisdom which was despised and rejected by scribes and Pharisees, was then offered to simple, humble, believing people.

They became the children of wisdom, and justified God in His ways, by bringing forth that fruit of the Gospel which the Pharisees refused to receive.

Every knee will bow and every mouth will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord one day!

Matthew 11:27  All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 

The beautiful phrase "All things are delivered unto me of my Father" is a great truth and the key to the theology of salvation. 

The Lord Jesus Christ receives all power and authority from the Father.  

The resurrected Lord Jesus Christ is the sovereign Dispenser of all things. 

All the pure fountains of the divine favor are in the hands of Christ, as High Priest of God.

Jesus alone is the only atoning sacrifice for men and all good proceeds come from Him, as Savior, Mediator, Head, King and sovereign Judge of the whole world.

This phrase "No man knoweth the Son" means that  the nature of the Son of God, the mystery of the union between the divine and human nature in Jesus Christ is such that no mere human can comprehend the depths of what God did in becoming a man.

Jesus speaks as God and His works are the works of God and His heart is the heart of God. 

Therefore, no mortal can fully comprehend Jesus. None but God the Father fully knows Him.

Beautiful wonderful, comforting words of invitation from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 11:28-30  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29)  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30)  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

It is after communicating this vast and great truth about the mystery of God manifest in the flesh that Jesus extended words of comfort to afflicted and oppressed souls.

"Come unto me" are beautiful words inviting sinners to repent and trust Christ for salvation.

The words "Come unto me" simply mean believing in Jesus Christ, and becoming His disciple and faithful follower.

The words "All ye that labor and are heavy laden" are a metaphor pictured by a man who carrying a great load to a certain place.

Every step he takes reduces his strength, and makes his load heavier and harder to carry. 

Such is the enormous burden of guilt and shame from our sins that is imposed upon our soul by our own transgressions.

The picture is of a kind person passing by and seeing the over burdened man faltering under the weight he carries.

He kindly and graciously offers to take the heavy burden off of him that he might find much needed rest.

Jesus invites all who hear His gospel to come to Him and He will receive us and assume the burden of our sins, which He carried to His cross.

The Jews were heavy laden with the burdens of oppressive regulations made by scribes and Pharisees.

Jesus said that they bound on heavy burdens and would not lift a finger to help the people find their way to God by faith (See Matthew 23:4).

They were invited to lay down their load, and receive the salvation procured for them by Christ.

This gospel truth is still active and offered to all sinners today, who will hear and heed the gospel by repenting of their sins and trusting Christ to save them.

Sinners are wearied in the ways of iniquity, but they are invited to come to Jesus Christ, and find relief.

They are burdened with the guilt of their sin, but may come to this Savior and find full and complete pardon.

Believers who are sorely tempted, and oppressed by a carnal mind, may come to Christ's blood that cleanseth from all unrighteousness (See 1 John 1:7-9).

Jesus our High Priest will purify us from all sin, and powerfully help us in every temptation, and we shall find uninterrupted rest in this complete Savior.

The words of Jesus "Take my yoke upon you" may seem strange that a man already weary and overloaded must take a new weight upon him, in order to be eased and find rest! 

But this advice is similar to that saying, "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain thee,"  trust your soul and concerns to Him, and He will carry both you and your load (See Psalm 55:22).

Cast all our cares upon our Lord Jesus Christ because He loves and cares for each one of us. 

1 Peter 5:6-7  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7)  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 

Faith is a humbling of ourselves before God and believing His Word and His promises. 

Those who trust Christ and are regenerated by His Spirit find themselves recipients of all spiritual blessings from the Father.

Therefore, we can confidently cast our cares, concerns and burdens upon Christ, our High Priest, our Master, and our Advocate, because He loves and cares for each Christian.

Such tender and compassionate words from Jesus "I am meek and lowly in heart" and this reminds us that wherever pride and anger dwell, there is nothing but mental labor and agony.

In contrast, meekness and humility of Christ will dwell in us and make all smooth, peaceable, and quiet, for the work of righteousness is peace, and it brings eternal righteousness, quietness and assurance to our heart through faith in Christ (See Isaiah 32:17).

Jesus said "For my yoke is easy" which means "My Gospel imposes nothing that is difficult; on the contrary, it provides for the complete removal of all that which oppresses and renders man miserable, which is sin."

Learning to keep Christ's commandments is not a heavy burden for us. 

1 John 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

The commandments of Christ are not grievous. Jesus said "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbor as thyself."

This is what pleases God and satisfies the longings in our heart. Simple faith and faithful obedience. 

Such a love as is inspired by God and in which the soul rests supremely satisfied and infinitely happy.

Psalm 34:8  O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. 

Taste and know by experience how good the Lord is and how worthy His yoke is to be taken, carried, and loved. 

Come to Christ today and confess your sins to Him and He will save you and grant eternal life.

Come and be born again today and receive the new heart and the new spirit God promises to give to all who hear and heed the gospel of His Son.

For those of us who have already come to Christ, let us cast our heavy burdens upon the everlasting arms of our Lord and Savior, for He stands ready to help us.

I pray that these truths will bring comfort to God's people such that we can find our strength renewed so that we do not become weary in well doing.

I pray that sinners who are at the end of themselves and wondering what to do next, will hear these wonderful Words of Jesus Christ.

Believe on Him and be saved today.

Let Christ remove the burden of shame and guilt for your sins.

Bob