Matthew 11:24-12:14

Altar Calls and Hard Hearts

What a beautiful image of Jesus and the believer linked together, forever sharing their burdens and finding rest. “Come to Me ALL YOU...”, not some, not one, but Jesus calls all to Him. Jesus had prayed to the Father and thanked Him for all those who God had ordained to become followers of the Word.

#1 What believers can you thank God for who were instrumental in your faith journey?

So far, Matthew has proven that Jesus is fulfilling the prophecies of the OT: with the birth, Jesus fully identified as man with victory over temptations, Jesus established what kingdom living is, Jesus’ authority over all was established and then we have Matthew sharing the response of the nation to Jesus…all fulfilling prophecy. Isn’t it wonderful that Jesus is still willing to welcome individuals into His kingdom! How wonderful that His kingdom still exists today!

Do you think that when Jesus first came on the scene that He attracted people out of curiosity?… He was a curiosity, I mean really for 400 years the people of Israel had not heard from God… that means several generations had not witnessed His power, or His Glory. I am sure many of the younger generations doubted He existed. Jesus’ own behavior did not fit into the box the Jews had tried to place the Messiah into. Yet, Jesus’ authority was exercised over all things that seek to weigh men down. Even still, the Pharisees and Sadducees resisted the very Savior they were waiting for. Their hearts were full of themselves, and not full of God. They were all given a choice to make. A choice to follow the servant King and to adopt the lifestyle of the kingdom or to hold onto the attitudes and values and beliefs and behaviors of this world. They chose wrongly.

#2 What things are most likely to keep people who understand the gospel from believing in Jesus?

The men who are spearheading the opposition are the very ones who should be on the front lines exclaiming the Kingdom is at hand. Rigid men who were consumed with focusing in on minor details of the law could not see the very law come to life in front of them. They longed for the kingdom of God to come, yet were the first to reject it. Jesus’ healing someone on the Sabbath was just the frosting to the cake which they were baking against Jesus.

#3 So what makes Sundays special?

The Pharisees tried to keep the Sabbath by restricting what a person could do on that day. We can make it special by avoiding the sterile approach to worship. His laws are intended to provide a framework for the expression of love. Not guilt us into a stilted false adoration expression.

#4 Are you keeping a Sabbath? What does that look like for you?