Sermon Pentecost 6 (3YL)

Introduction

The Text

Matthew 11:16–25 ““To what should I compare this generation? It’s like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to other children: We played the flute for you, but you didn’t dance; we sang a lament, but you didn’t mourn!

Todays reading comes to us to two thrusts, in the first part of the reading Jesus is rebuking those who oppose his ministry. He reminds them that thus far nothing has been god enough for them.

He points out their childish ways. Its the middle of summer at the Costa home. All year during school the kids have been pining for a time without school. Now school is out…what are they saying to my wife and I…hi bored I am dad. Those of us who have been around children as they grow up know this pattern. They can be very hard to please, and some can be especially stubborn.

Now when Jesus accuses these adults of acting like children, I think for a moment we should all stop and consider, that maybe we are also that way. We are more quiet about it. But there can be something in us that is stubborn. We have the rescources to fill our every need so like children we sooth ourselves more quickly. But maybe deep down we are not so different.

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

Now Jesus shows them how they have been childish and stubborn.

John the Baptist comes as an ascetic. Simple clothes, simple food, devoted to the ministry, crying out for repentance. People called it demonic.

Jesus comes, identifies with the poor but is willing to be hosted by the rich. Has no money, no home, but is invited to the homes of the powerful, where he calls for their repentance. This is not demonic to the people but it is gluttony, and after all look at the company he keeps.

Two thoughts: First thought, the powerful have no power over these men. They have no interest in their power structures. Jesus and John threaten the status they have spent a life building. They have to find something wrong with it bc they do not want to change and have their status taken from them.

Second thought: No one wants to believe they are in the wrong. We are too busy believing we are awesome. In our sinful state we have to find something wrong with the messenger to remove the power of the message. Let us be careful not to dismiss people just because what they say is hard to digest.

Matthew 11:25–30 “At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

Our Father, who art in heaven. Prayer begining with praise, prayer with intimacy.

because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, because this was your good pleasure.

Two things here: Jesus is not at all shy that the truths of the kingdom are hidden from some. The gospel is to be proclaimed in all places, but it will only take root where God gives eyes to see. And look at who he give eyes.

All things have been entrusted to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son desires to reveal him.

We are introduced to this Idea of “Knowing” the son and the father. It might be easy to move too quickly past this verb, we use it so frequently in our diologue. Its become a strechy word in english. Here it seems to be talking about a knowledge that has saving implication. To know the son in such a way to be connected to the father. That is to be destined to dwell with him in heaven.

What is interesting about this knowledge is who gets this knowledge. Those to whom the son desires to reveal himself. There is a lot that can be said about God’s calling but I think this verse is setting up something specific…who is God calling. Next verse

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Jesus begins this chapter in discourse with religious leaders who are critisizing him and his disciples for lacking religious vigour. That if he were truly of God he would demand more from his disciples. Look what the Son of God says about the weight of vigour that it takes to get into heave. Are you weary? are you burdened? Jesus will give you rest.

The commentators remind us here that even though this is written in Greek, Jesus give the Greek word for rest, the weight of the Hebrew word. He says the Greek anapauō, but he is telling his Hebrew audience that they will have Shalom. The rest of that seventh day of creation, the rest of God’s eternal presence.

How to the weary and the burdened get their Shalom, they come to Jesus. The small simple prayers of saints who need God. Lord have mercy, O God make speed to save us, Help me with my unbelief. O God please help me.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.””

He continues his comparison to what the Religious leaders demand by talking about the Yoke: Notes on Yoke.

The Yoke of a Pharisee vs the yoke of Christ.

Application

Jesus if giving a stern warning to those who would respond like stubborn Children. Refusing God when he send the blessings and the mournings.

True children respond like responding to God like responding to a loving parent is what the kingdom of God is ment for. Jesus even models this by Calling God “Father” in the prayer.

Jesus makes the decision on who sees him. He tells us that he is the decider on who receives the revelation. Let us pray for the eyes to see God and to know God. But let us be mindful the he removes the scales from our hearts.

And let this be a reminder that all evangelism begins with Prayer. Prayer that God would open eyes.

Final application: Get right with God, do it today, here is how, “Come to me all who are weary.” Dont unload your baggage first. Dont clean up first. Bring your stuff. Bring your weary concerns. He will give you the rest. He will give you Shalom. Remember the words of the Hymn, come yea sinner:

Let not conscious make you linger, nor of fitness fondly dream. The only fitness he requires, is that you feel you need of him. I will arrise and go to Jesus, he will embrace me in his arms, and in the arms of my dear saviour, there are 10,000 charms.

Wrap up

Friends lets us wrap up and prepare for Holy communion with a few reminders: There is the Law, the Revelation of God’s perfect Holiness through his commands. And the law demands from us God’s perfection. You have not met the Grade, neither have I. The Law that the religous leaders wanted Jesus to demand of other leads only to death. So Jesus instead offers a Gospel, or a good news of Life through his free gift, through Grace alone. Unearned, unlike the Law. That is what I am asking you to respond to today.

Come to Jesus, say yes, unburden yourself. That is what this communion table is about today. Do you have baggage? Come and feast at the table of the Lord. This is the place where all the baptised come to experince the saviour. Has the world weighed you down into despair, come and feast at God’s table. Are you looking for a way of like that is light not heavy. it is right here. We are not just eating bread, but the very body of Christ, this eternal food that will feed our souls and give us shalom. This table is for you. If you have not been baptised, what are you waiting for. Come through the waters today so that you can eat with us at the table. If you are not ready for baptism but you would like to come up, I would ask that you cross your arms. I will place my hand on your head and ask God’s blessing over you.

Let us pray.