Repentance & Rest (Matthew 11:20-30)

Matthew 11:20-30

Sunday, November 24, 2024

Land O’ Lakes Bible Church

Introduction

If we truly seek to know someone and grasp who they truly are, we must labor to understand their heart. Not talking here about the organ of the heart, but what is at the very center of who one is, what they love, what makes them tick. For some people, it is pretty easy to see their heart and what makes them tick. Listen to them for a few minutes, and you will get a good clue. Others, it can be a bit more difficult.

Thankfully Jesus does not leave us to wonder or have to guess at who he is at the center of his heart. He tells us. He tells us that he is gentle and lowly in heart. It is this heart of Jesus that I want to talk with you all about this morning.

We pick back up this morning where we left off last week with Matthew 11:20-30. (Page #970).

As we continue to study the Gospel According to Matthew, we continue to see Matthew presenting Jesus as the one who has come to save his people from their sins. And yet, as he has come to do this, many will reject him. We saw this rejection foretold by Jesus as he equipped his disciples to be sent out back in Matthew 10:5-42. But then as Jesus went on teaching and preaching in the cities of the disciples, he too was met with opposition (11:1-19).

Again, opposition is not to be surprising as the gospel goes out. This is exactly what Jesus has said will happen. However, in this rejection, Jesus wants to make clear what will come to those who reject to show the seriousness of the matter, while also extending a most gracious invitation to all who would have ears to hear. Read Matthew 11:20-30.

Main Idea: Rejection of Jesus brings a woeful rebuke, but coming to him by faith with repentance brings rest.

Jesus’ Woeful Rebuke (V.20-24)

‌Jesus’ Invitation of Rest (V.25-30)

1. Jesus’ Woeful Rebuke

‌V.20, Then he… this following what has just occurred of Jesus warning the generation of his day that they are children who do not hear, for they rejected John and have rejected Jesus. And because of this, Jesus begins to denounce these. V.20.

Note the reason for this denouncement, these are the cities where many of Jesus’ mighty works have been done. Mighty works as mentioned in verses 2-5 which we looked at last week. Mighty works where Jesus has given sight to the blind, made the lame walk, cleansed lepers, made the deaf hear, and raised the dead. Jesus has brought good news to the poor. These mighty works had been done before many, and yet they had not brought repentance in these places.

What is repentance? J.I. Packer helps us to understand this term. He writes [1],

Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs Repentance: A Christian Changes Radically

The New Testament word for repentance means changing one’s mind so that one’s views, values, goals, and ways are changed and one’s whole life is lived differently. The change is radical, both inwardly and outwardly; mind and judgment, will and affections, behavior and life-style, motives and purposes, are all involved. Repenting means starting to live a new life.

The mighty works of Jesus are to drive people to turn from their former ways back to the LORD whose image they were created in. This was true of Jesus’ ministry and it is true today, repentance is the desire of our ministry. Charles Spurgeon put it like this [2],

The Gospel of the Kingdom: A Commentary on the Book of Matthew Chapter 11:20–30: The King’s Warnings, Rejoicings, and Invitations

The most loving preacher will see cause for complaining of his impenitent hearers: HE upbraids, even he who also wept. Repentance is what we who are preachers drive at; and where we do not see it, we are sore troubled. Our trouble is not that our hearers did not applaud our ability, but because they repented not.

Friends, see that the ministry of the word is not meant to make you feel good about yourself, it is to turn your heart continually back to God in repentance. And even shaping your heart to love God more supremely. But when that word doesn’t cause repentance, a woeful denouncement comes. V.21.

Little is said in the Scriptures about the city of Chorazin other than this account, we know it was in the Galilean region. One early church father thought it to be two miles from Capernaum. Despite the little we know of this city, Jesus here denounces it as a city that though it saw many of his mighty works, they failed to repent, just like the city of Bethsaida, which we know slightly more about.

For Bethsaida, was the home of three of Jesus’ twelve disciples. John 1:44 “44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.” However, despite three coming out from Bethsaida in repentance and belief, it seems that the majority did not, so that this city, along with Chorazin, received these dreadful woes. A woe simply being that of a pronounced judgment and misery.

But just how bad is this woe of judgment? Chorazin and Bethsaida are compared to Tyre and Sidon, with the later two appearing to have the upper hand, for it is said that if they had seen what Chorazin and Bethsaida had, they would have repented with sackcloth and ashes long ago. Sackcloth and ashes being a way of acknowledging the shame and guilt and remorse for the sin.

But why this comparison? ‌Tyre and Sidon were often cities paired together, particularly in their judgment. On such judgment coming from Jeremiah 47:1–4

Jeremiah 47:1–4 ESV

The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh struck down Gaza. “Thus says the Lord: Behold, waters are rising out of the north, and shall become an overflowing torrent; they shall overflow the land and all that fills it, the city and those who dwell in it. Men shall cry out, and every inhabitant of the land shall wail. At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his stallions, at the rushing of his chariots, at the rumbling of their wheels, the fathers look not back to their children, so feeble are their hands, because of the day that is coming to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper that remains. For the Lord is destroying the Philistines, the remnant of the coastland of Caphtor.

‌The cities of Tyre and Sidon were inhabited by Philistines, a people who continued to be a thorn in Israel’s side from the day they entered the Promised Land. The very people who sent their champion to mock and threaten Israel until David destroyed the champion with a sling and stone. Yet, the people kept being there and corrupting Israel until the Lord promised and brought judgment against them.

And yet, if they had seen the mighty works of Jesus as Chorazin and Bethsaida, Jesus says they would have repented long ago. They would have turned from their ways. And so, Jesus says, it will be better for them on the day of judgment. V.22.

It would be better for Tyre and Sidon because they did not see the mighty works that these others saw. They will be judged still, but their judgment will be less than those who saw and yet rejected. But this is not the only cities in trouble for not repenting. V.23.

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Capernaum was the home base for Jesus in his public ministry. Look back to Matthew 4:12-13. Therefore over and over Jesus comes and goes through Capernaum doing these many mighty deeds of healing and casting out demons. And yet, the people do not respond in repentance by turning from their old sinful ways to Jesus and trusting in him for their deliverance. And so, they are compared here to Sodom. In saying that if these mighty works that were done in Capernaum had been done in Sodom, even that wicked city would have responded and remained instead of being destroyed.

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In case you are unfamiliar with the Bible and the story of Sodom, let me summarize for you what is told back in Genesis 18-19. Sodom was a wicked city that the LORD was going to destroy, a city that Abraham pleaded with to not destroy and spare if even there was only 10 found in it that were righteous.

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With this deal, the angels of the LORD go into Sodom where they find Lot, Abraham’s nephew. Lot being a righteous man saw them, greeted them, and extended hospitality to them by inviting them into his home to care for them in their travels. However, as the angels enter into Lot’s home, the men of the city come pounding on the door demanding that Lot send his guests outside before the men, so that they may know them. To know them not in a friendly way, but a perverted, sexual way. The men of Sodom sought to carry out the perverted act of homosexuality with these men by force. And they would had if not for Lot stopping them. Lot pleaded with the men to not harm the guests under his roof, even to the point of offering his own daughters to be sent out to them, this shows the sin still within Lot as well. The angels end up having to pull Lot in to save him from the men pressing against and knowing him. And the judgment is denounced, the city is to be destroyed with only Lot and his two daughters being spared. Not even his wife was spared, for she disobeyed the instructions in fleeing and turned back to look and was turned into a pillar of salt. And so, Sodom was destroyed for their wickedness.

And yet with all this wickedness, Sodom is said to be still standing if they had seen the mighty works of Jesus. And therefore, Capernaum is more woeful than wicked Sodom. V.24.

Again, we see that judgment will be harsher for one who saw these mighty works of Jesus and failed to repent. Sodom in all its wickedness will have it worse than that of Capernaum who rejected Jesus with all his mighty works as evidence of who he was.

Friends, let us learn here from these woes and these pronounced greater judgment that the most serious sin out there is to have the things of Jesus made clear and plain before you with all its proofs and to still deny him. The greatest sin you may commit is to reject Jesus despite hearing and seeing all that he has done. A sin greater than these other acts of Tyre and Sidon with their idolatry, greater than the Wicked Sodom. Friend, do not continue in your unbelief and your indifference to Jesus, turn in repentance today and come to him without delay.

These are the woeful judgments against those who reject Jesus. Yet there is hope.

2. Jesus’ Invitation of Rest

Jesus gives woes, but now he prepares to offer a most gracious invitation. But first, he turns to his Father with thanksgiving. V.25-26.

Election

Upon pronouncing judgment to the unrepentant with their woes, Jesus turns and thanks the Father for his gracious will. A will that is to hide the things of understanding and belief from the wise and understanding, that is the wise and understanding according to the world.

They are called wise and understanding, because compared to their counterpart, little children, they think themselves to be self-dependent. They are prideful and trust in self instead of humbling themselves before a Holy God in repentance. Whereas little children though sharp with lots of questions, they understand that they are dependent and need to learn from another and receive the help of another.

Jesus thanks the Father for this distinction of who he has revealed these things to and who he has hidden them from. This is what we would call the doctrine of election in which Jesus himself affirms and draws out. It is called election in the fact that some are chosen to have these truths revealed to while it remains hidden from others.

Now, if this is your first time hearing of this or even if you have heard it before, you might think this sounds cruel of God, that such a thing would be unfair and unjust. Therefore lets take a step back for a moment here and consider what it is that we each deserve and the judgment that should be rendered upon us.

For previously we were like those of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum in failing to repent and come to Jesus. Some of us were rebels even raging against the LORD such as Tyre and Sidon. And still others of us were like those of Sodom with such wicked perversions being lived out. And even those that think themselves to have been pretty good, you still fall short of the glory of God and his perfect standard. One little lie, one little hateful moment in your heart, and you became guilty under judgment. For we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. And the wages of sin is death.

So, when it comes to what is fair and what we deserve, we all deserve condemnation, there is none good, no not one. God would then be perfectly just and right and good to then condemn everyone of us accordingly. And yet, by his grace, he chooses to reveal himself and a plan of redemption to some. So, friends, let us not stumble over the doctrine of election in thinking how could God choose to save some and not others; instead, let our mouths drop in awe at the thought at how could God save any with as guilty as we are!

And it is with this gracious will to reveal these truths to the little children, those humble and teachable and dependable, that Jesus praises the Father for! But more so, Jesus gives us understanding of how this doctrine of election is played out. It is not a matter of figuring out who the elect and non-elect are, it is a matter of whoever Jesus reveals the Father to. V.27.

The Father and the Son have eternally existed together, along with the Holy Spirit. For there are three persons and one God. The Three existing in perfect harmony and power and glory together from eternity past. And so, the Father knows the Son and the Son knows the Father. And no one knows them except those the Son reveals himself to, since all now has been handed over to the Son. And so, who does Jesus reveal himself to? Those with childlike faith and trust who will hear his invitation to come to him. V.28.

Invitation

The invitation of Jesus goes out to all who labor and are heavy laden. It goes out without distinction based on class, race, gender, you name it. It is an invitation to all who labor and are heavy laden to come and find rest by being yoked to Jesus. V.29.

A yoke is often presumed to be that which binds two animals together for the pulling of a plow. However, a yoke was often language used for one belonging to and serving another, a master. And these yokes would be thought to be hard and unbearable, even cruel. And it is a cruel yoke that was causing the labor and heavy laden feeling for many in Israel. For the religious leaders were putting an impossible yoke on the people as they added to God’s law in thinking these additions would keep them from sin. Rules limiting the number of steps one could take on the Sabbath. Rules forbidding one to pick grain on the Sabbath even if hungry. Rules preventing the healing of any on the Sabbath, even if in pain. (Matthew 12 makes this all plain).

And yet, Jesus invites these weary and heavy laden to come and take his yoke and learn from him as he promises rest. And the reason Jesus gives for the assurance of rest for those who come to him and take his yoke upon them is because of who he is at his very heart. For Jesus says (V.29) that he is gentle and lowly in heart.

In his book, Gentle and Lowly, Dane Ortlund works to unfold this very verse. And as he starts, he writes, “The heart, in biblical terms, is not part of who we are but the center of who we are. Our heart is what defines and directs us.” [3]

And therefore what defines and directs Jesus is that he is gentle and lowly. He is one who is patient, tender, and understanding. He is not some quick tempered, quick reacting person. Likewise, he is lowly, not elevating himself, but humbles himself even to the point of death on a cross.

This is essential to understanding who Jesus is and why we can come to him and take his yoke upon us and expect rest. For even Jesus adds, v.30.

Jesus calls us to himself, to be yoked to him and learn him with not a burdensome yoke, but a light and easy yoke. One commentator puts it like this, “The cure for a heavy burden is not to have no burden, but a light burden, the right burden. Jesus knows the right burden. He offers rest not by inviting us to do nothing, but by leading us to the right activities.” [4]

Jesus calls us to take his yoke and be guided in the ways of the Father, the ways of righteousness, the ways of life. Learning from him how to rightly and truly live as we were created to, especially in walking with the LORD.

This is the rest that Jesus invites us to come and have by coming to him. Some this morning are continuing to be weary in labor and heavy laden. Maybe it is because you are feeling the weight and weariness of your sin. Feeling as if the battle has been lost, that same ole besetting, ongoing sin has struck again and you feel crushed by it. Hear the words of Jesus, he is gentle and lowly in heart. This means you need not fear coming to him. You need not fear coming to take his yoke upon you. He will not reject you. You need not worry about trying to clean yourself up first, go to Jesus in repentance and trust he will welcome you. To borrow from Dane Ortlund again, “You don’t need to unburden or collect yourself and then come to Jesus. Your very burden is what qualifies you to come.” [5]

Others of you, you still are under wrong burdens. You are weary and heavy laden because you are still trying to think that your salvation somehow depends on you doing enough good, you having enough faith. Friend, see that these are cruel burdens that are rooted in lies. Jesus does not expect you to be good enough for salvation. He doesn’t expect your faith to never shake. He expects you simply to come to him by faith and in repentance turning from your former ways. This is all that is required of you.

But for the believer struggling with similar thoughts, beloved, you need to hear this. Your rest, your being yoked to Jesus is not dependent upon your shaky and flimsy faith. Nor is mine. Jesus promises rest on all who come to him and are yoked and learning from him, no matter how slow we are in the process. For remember, he is gentle and lowly in heart. He is not going to grow impatient with us when we continue to struggle through the Christian life. He will continue to teach us and guide us as long as we simply keep trusting and leaning on him, even with imperfect trust.

Whatever our burden is, no matter how heavy laden we are, Jesus puts forward an invitation for us to come to him and find rest as we take his yoke upon us. A yoke that is easy and light. A rest that is not deserved, but a most gracious invitation. The question we must answer though, is will we hear the invitation and come? Will we come unto Jesus.

Let’s pray….

Endnotes

[1] J. I. Packer, Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1993), 162.

[2] C. H. Spurgeon, The Gospel of the Kingdom: A Commentary on the Book of Matthew (London: Passmore and Alabaster, 1893), 81.

[3] Dane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020), 18.

[4] Daniel M. Doriani, Matthew & 2, ed. Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani, vol. 1, Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2008), 488.

[5] Ortlund, 20.

Scripture Reading & Prayer

Isaiah 14:12–20 ESV

12 “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! 13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ 15 But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. 16 Those who see you will stare at you and ponder over you: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, 17 who made the world like a desert and overthrew its cities, who did not let his prisoners go home?’ 18 All the kings of the nations lie in glory, each in his own tomb; 19 but you are cast out, away from your grave, like a loathed branch, clothed with the slain, those pierced by the sword, who go down to the stones of the pit, like a dead body trampled underfoot. 20 You will not be joined with them in burial, because you have destroyed your land, you have slain your people. “May the offspring of evildoers nevermore be named!