Rest for the Weary

Context of the Passage

Jesus commissions and sends out the Twelve through the land of Israel with the Gospel. For those who refuse to receive the message Jesus declares: “it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city” (Matt. 10:15)

Jesus tells the Twelve they will be persecuted and hated and killed for their message (Matthew 10:16-33)

Jesus reminds the crowds that most had rejected the message of John the Baptist - the message that pointed to Jesus being the long awaited Messiah (Matthew 11:7-19)

Then Jesus called out the cities in which He had done mighty works and performed many miracles, but had again suffered rejection (Matthew 11:20-24)

Application: It is important for each of us to realize that Jesus is teaching about the severity of punishment on those who reject His message of the Gospel. Understand that if you are outside of Christ and you continue to reject the message you are heaping up greater judgment on yourself.

The Sovereignty of God in Salvation (Matthew 11:25-27)

Explanation: In His prayer to the Father Jesus teaches about God’s sovereign role in salvation. Jesus not only calls God Father, He also refers to God as the Lord of heaven and earth (v. 25) This is a reminder that God is the Transcendent One who is outside the box! God is the Eternal Creator of the Universe - as such, He has ultimate power and authority over everything inside the box.

Jesus also expresses thanksgiving for God’s role in concealing and revealing the issues of salvation. Jesus acknowledges that God hides (conceals) things on one hand and also reveals them on the other. This action is one of divine authority and gives further support to God’s sovereign role in salvation.

Argument: There is an important distinction made between the group that has things hidden and the group to which these truths are revealed, and we should take careful note. Jesus stated that those who are “wise and prudent” are the ones to whom the message of the gospel has been hidden. This is not what we would expect, until we realize that Jesus is referring to those who consider themselves wise in the ways of this world. Jesus has just taught on the foolishness of those who continue to reject Him and the message of the Kingdom in spite of the validating signs! There are those who trust in themselves and what they know (or think they know) who refuse to accept the grace of God revealed through the person of Jesus.

Paul teaches on this very topic and it is worth looking at the following passage:

18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18-24)

The Responsibility of Humanity (Matthew 11:25)

Explanation: While God is sovereign in salvation there is still human responsibility. Both of these truths are presented to us in the Bible. Lost sinners are called to respond to the message of the Gospel in faith.

Jesus declares that God has revealed these truths about salvation “unto babes.”

King James Version Chapter 10

13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his 12disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 BUT when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Argument: Jesus is not teaching that only children can be saved. He says that if a person does not receive the Gospel message as a little child, he will not be saved. How do children receive things? They believe - they trust in what they are told.

This is the point at which the defenses come up. “I am not a child to believe in something that I cannot see or prove. I need to be able to fully comprehend salvation and to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus is in fact the only Saviour.” This is the mindset that Paul warns against (1 Cor. 1:22)

Application: No one is ever reasoned into the Kingdom; a lost person is saved when he or she by faith trusts in the saving work of Christ and surrenders to His Lordship.

The Free Invitation of the Gospel Message (Matthew 11:28-30)

Explanation: The good news is that there is a free offer of the Gospel! Jesus gives an open invitation in verses 28-30. Jesus says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden” (v. 28) This is His call to all that realize they are broken and messed up. This invitation is open, but only to those who are willing to acknowledge their true condition before a Holy God. This is for those who are sin-sick and realize they are lost without Christ and without hope in the world. Those who “labor and are heavy laden” is a reference to those who are trying to earn the merit (favor) of God through their good deeds.

Illustrate: a person who owes a debt of 20 million dollars with an interest rate of 75%. After 30 years of paying $100 dollars/month, the debt has increased - not decreased!

Argument: Living under your own sin and recognizing your inability to get out from under it is a crushing weight - it is a burden of heavy labor! Jesus is saying the ones who realize this are the candidates for salvation. His offer is to these - Come to Me and I will give you rest: I will pay the debt that you cannot; I will take the sin away and give you forgiveness and you will have My righteousness credited to your account!

Isaiah 55:1-3 and Revelation 22:17 both contain an open invitation to come and receive God’s gift to mankind.

Conclusion: Do NOT be like those who reject the Gospel offer in Christ. He IS the Messiah; He IS the only means of salvation (cf John 14:6; Acts 4:12) and He IS our blessed Hope (Titus 2:13) and the One who gives rest to the weary