Invitation to Come to Jesus

Introduction: How many of you like invitations? Do you like to receive invitations to weddings, birthday parties, or to special events? Have you ever heard someone speaking about an invitation they received to a party, and you didn’t get one? How did that make you feel? No one like to be left out. (Unless it is a wedding invitation, and you are a man – most men don’t like to sit through weddings).

As we come to the last section of Matthew 11, we will be looking at the Invitation to Come to Jesus Christ. Here is the thing about this invitation through – it is hidden to some, revealed to others, and opened to everyone. Let’s look at this INVITATION today.

I. The Invitation is Hidden to some – 11:25-26

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.

The first thing we need to see here is that these verses appear to be a prayer. Jesus is speaking to His Father and those present, and you and I get to eavesdrop on His prayer. What does Jesus include in His prayer?

A. I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

Jesus sets a great example of giving thanks. Some translations use the word, praise – “I praise You, Father,” What a great way to talk with God. Praise and thanks need to be addressed to the Father.

Note: Father is used 5 times in these verses (v. 25, 26, 27).

Next, I want you to notice that Jesus calls His Father, “Lord”. The Greek word is “kyrious” (koo’-ree-os) and it means, supreme in authority, controller, or Master. Get this – there is only ONE LORD!

God the Father is Lord of heaven and earth. He is supreme over all heaven, and all earth. Don’t you ever think you are in control, or that some power on earth is in control. No, God is SOVERIGN over all His creation.

B. that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent

What was hidden from the wise and prudent? Spiritual revelation. Some people are so prideful in their own eyes – intellectual pride (wise) and believe that they understand everything (prudent) that Jesus says the Father has hidden these things (spiritual revelation) from them.

One author I was reading wrote, “These things(11:25) refers to the knowledge of Jesus’ authority and identity, based on his teaching and miracles.”[1]

It has been said, “Arrogant pride always alienates us from God.” “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (see James 4:6b).

C. and have revealed them to babes.

Everything that you and I understand about Scripture comes by revelation – it has been revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. We cannot know Scripture apart from the ministry of the Godhead (1 Corinthians 2:14). And who are the babes? These are those who in childlike faith desire to know God. We read in Matthew 18:3,

3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Have you ever noticed how many questions small children have? They ask lots and lots of questions. This may bother us as parents at time, but it never bothers God, never.

Hear this - No one comes to God through his intellectual abilities, but in humble childlike faith. The only way to know truth is to trust God, and not your human abilities.

Matthew 5:3 reminds us,

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

II. The Invitation is Revealed to others – 11:27

27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

A. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father.

What are all things? I believe that they are all the words that Jesus ever spoke, and all the people that come and will come to Him. Jesus never spoke His own words, but only what the Father gave Him to speak. And the only way any of us can come to Jesus is by God’s grace. Listen to these verses:

John 12:49–50 - 49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”

John 6:37 - 37All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

J.C. Ryle penned, “He bears the keys – to Him we must go for admission into heaven. He is the Door – through Him we must enter. He is the Shepherd – we must hear His voice and follow Him if we do not want to perish in the wilderness. He is the Great Physician – we must apply to Him if we would be healed of the plague of sin. He is the Bread of Life – we must feed on Him if we would have our souls satisfied. He is the Light – we must walk after Him if we do not want to wander in darkness. He is the fountain – we must wash in His blood if we would be cleansed and made ready for the great day of account. Blessed and glorious are these truths! If we have Christ, we have all things (1 Corinthians 3:22).”[2]

The only way for any of us to know the Son, Jesus Christ is that the Father revealed Him to us. Without divine revelation we would still be lost today.

Note: The word “know” here in this verse speaks of intimacy.

B. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

Jesus Christ reveals His Father to those whom He wishes to reveal Him to. The word “reveal” means to take off the cover, disclose. This was one of the reasons Jesus Christ was sent into the world, to reveal to us God the Father. We read in John 1:18,

18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

The word “declared” in John 1:18 is the Greek word, “exegesis”, and it means to explain, to unfold, lead the way.” Jesus Christ leads us to His Father.

If you are a believer today it is because the Son (Jesus Christ) revealed the Father to you. There is no other way to come to God.

I thank God that I am among those who have received divine revelation! Are you thankful too?

III. The Invitation is Opened to everyone – 11:28-30

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

I am so thankful that the Gospel is readily available to all who will but simply come to Christ. Let’s look at what we have in these verses.

A. Come to Me,

Are you aware that this is the New Testament invitation to everyone who hears the gospel preached to them – Come to Jesus. We even hear people say,

“I’ve had a Come to Jesus moment.”

William MacDonald elaborates on what it means to "Come" writing that "To come means to believe (Acts 16:31); to receive (John 1:12); to eat (John 6:35); to drink (John 7:37); to look (Isaiah 45:22); to confess (1 John 4:2); to hear (John 5:24, 25); to enter a door (John 10:9); to open a door (Revelation 3:20); to touch the hem of His garment (Matthew 9:20, 21); and to accept the gift of eternal life through Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).

Dr. Billy Graham used to say, “Everyone that Jesus called in the New Testament he called publicly.” Here we have Jesus extending a call to come to Him. I may be preaching to a saved audience, but we must never just assume that everyone attending church is a believer. If you are present and you do not know Jesus Christ now is the time to come to Him. Today is the day of salvation. Don’t put it off.

I want you to watch this short video of an invitation that Dr. Billy Graham extended at one of his crusades. (Watch Video).

B. all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

There are a lot of people trying to earn their salvation. They are exhausted in trying to work their way to heaven. Jesus Christ is extending an invitation to these people. Stop trying and simply trust Jesus Christ for your salvation.

Ephesians 2:8–9 - 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Some people are heavy laden. This carries the idea of being weighted down. Sin weighs us down. Some people are bent over because of the number of burdens, they are carrying.

In the story of Pilgrims Progress, you see Christian carrying this massive bag on his shoulders – he is weighted down. Finally, at the end of the story he stands at the foot of the cross and finds forgiveness, and it is there that his burdens are lifted, and he is set free.

Dr. Tony Evans says what we have here is, “In view here is the invitation to salvation. To rest is to put your burdens in God’s hands and enjoy his provision of forgiveness and eternal life.” (Tony Evans Bible Commentary).

What steps must we take? How can we experience salvation? We must take the following three steps:

1. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,

Highlight the word “Take” – this is an action we must do. Jesus will not force you to take. Next, look at the words “My yoke”. What is a yoke? It is a wooden harness that is placed on the necks of a pair of oxen, so that as they pulled some type of farm equipment that not one animal is doing all the work. They are pulling together!

H.A. Ironside wrote, “Yoke – to curb the will and bring one under control.”

I believe the greatest point I could make today is for us to stay close to Christ. The idea of a yoke drives this truth home to us.

2. And learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart,

I have read that when training a new animal (such as an ox) to plow, ancient farmers often yoked it to an older, stronger, more experienced animal who bore the burden and guided the young animal through the learning process. So here, Jesus is telling us that if we would yoke up to Him that He would teach us everything we needed to know about carrying our burdens.

How do we learn from Jesus? We study His sermons and teaching as found in the four Gospel’s (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Each writer provides for us the teachings of Jesus Christ. I would suggest that you read them, study them, and allow the Holy Spirit to help you to learn from Jesus. His teachings were revolutionary, and His message changed lives.

Jesus says that He is gentle and lowly at heart. Jesus Christ is not a mean-spirited task master. He is not some angry ruler ready to abuse you if you don’t accomplish your tasks for the day. No, Jesus Christ is gentle and lowly at heart. In other words, Jesus has your best interest in mind.

Do you know what we are talking about here? We are talking about discipleship. Learning from Jesus how to live our lives as followers of Christ.

Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Copying His life.”

3. And you will find rest for your souls.

How many people want to find rest? The mantra of so many today is, “I’m so tired.” We are so busy that we do not leave any room for space in our lives. We truly are like the person who is burning the candle on both ends, and if we don’t discover what Jesus is teaching, we will eventually burn ourselves out.

Our lives are made up of:

o Body – Makes of world conscious.

o Soul – Makes us aware of our mind, will, and emotions.

o Spirit – Makes is God conscious.

Listen to the words of Paul to the Thessalonian believers,

1 Thessalonians 5:23 - 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God created us as a trichotomy being and according to Jesus, He wants to give rest for our souls (Greek, psyche). There are a lot of people who are troubled in their mind, no control over their will, and their emotions are all over the board. Their soul is needing rest. I find it interesting that the Greek word for “rest” (anapausis – an-ap’-ow-sis) can mean intermission, or recreation. Do you need an intermission? Do you need a recreation? Yes!

Augustine penned, “Lord, Thou madest us for Thyself, and we can find no rest till we find rest in Thee!”///

Have you found your eternal rest in Jesus Christ? I hope you have. If you haven’t you need to come to Him today. Don’t put it off.

Finally, look at how Jesus ends this instruction. We see this in verse 30,

My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Jesus doesn’t make our lives harder, no, He makes them easier. The best life ever is when one is connected to Jesus Christ. And Jesus doesn’t load us with additional burdens, no, His commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). People often balk at the commandments found in Scripture. However, what we need to recognize is that God’s Word (His Commandments) free us.

John 8:32 - And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Question: Do you need to COME to Jesus Christ today?

Conclusion: So, what are the takeaway truths for today? Here they are:

1. Revelation is available to babes. These are those who have the faith of a small child.

2. All things from Jesus came from His Father.

3. Get to know Jesus and you will get to know the Father.

4. Come to Jesus Christ as you labor and feel heavy laden, and He will provide you with rest.

5. Yoke up to Christ and learn from Him.

6. Jesus Christ is gentle and lowly at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

7. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. Jesus doesn’t load us up with responsibility that we cannot shoulder.

[1]Weber, S. K. (2000). Matthew(Vol. 1, p. 168). Broadman & Holman Publishers. [2] Ryle, J. C.. Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Matthew [Updated Edition]: A Commentary (p. 106). Aneko Press. Kindle Edition.