Simeon Trust Worksheet (Matthew 11:28-30)

How Has the Author Organized this Passage?

A)

An invitation and incentive: V.28

An instruction v.29a

A justification: v.29b-30

B)

V.28 - provides Christ inviting people to come and what will happen if they come. This statement appears to be a cause and effect, “come and you will get rest”

v.29a - The obvious question one would ask is, “but how?” and Christ answers this question with his next two statements by saying that this rest comes from taking his yoke upon you and then learning from him.

v.29b-30 - christ then provides a chiastic argument highlighting that he does not offer a weary or heavy laden burden but one that is easy and light.

C)

the emphasis that is found through this structure is that the rest here is found in the yoke of Christ. His teaching, his yoke is where the rest is found. he is gentle and lowly. The question is How does this yoke give us rest?

How does the context inform the meaning of this passage?

A) The Literary Context

The challenges of the law -> The Beatitudes and Christ being the Lord of the Sabbath. Christ has continually been showing how the law is inadequate to save. I think this is meant to show the heavy burden of the law and how Christ combats that with his life and teachings on faith in him and his work.

B) The Historical Context

Jewish audience - big view of the law and authority of the prophets. They would have been submitted to the teachings of the pharisees, so this would have been a radical thought to listen to this new rabbi compared to the experts on the law.

C) The Cultural Context

The Law and it’s burden on the soul.

D) The Biblical Context

Weary and Burdened (Psalm 38:4)(Matthew 23:1-4)(Luke 11:46)

Yoke (1 John 5:3)

Character of Messiah (Zechariah 9:9)(Jeremiah 6:6)

What is the main point the author is arguing to his audience?

Coming to Christ and taking his yoke is how you find rest for your soul.

How does this passage connect to the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Through his life, Christ has taken the burden we could not bear on our own and with him we can obey his teachings without the heavy burden of the law (1 John 5:3) (Matthew 7:7-12)

What is the main point you will argue to your audience?

True rest for your soul is only found in Christ because his burden is light.

What applications will you make?

Take Christ’s Yoke

Listen to his teachings and consume his wisdom. Through his words you will find life. The burden that you carry due to your sin will no longer be on your shoulders because our King has lifted it through his life.

Come to him

What is your sermon title and your preaching outline?

Come to Christ, Find Rest For Your Soul

There is an invitation to come and rest

There is instruction on how to find rest

There is rest, because Christ’s burden is light.