Judgment, Salvation and Invitation Mt 11@20-30

Intro:

Matthew 11:20–30 KJV 1900

20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. 25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Mt11 20-

In this passage, we’ll learn about judgment, salvation and the invitation Jesus gives. The passage divides neatly into these 3 themes.

I. Jesus’ Judgment v20-24.

A. There will be a judgment

Matthew 11:20–21 KJV 1900

20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

First we want to look at Jesus’ Judgment. There are going to be 5 things we’re going to look at.

Here Jesus passed judgment on people in 3 cities where most of His miracles were performed because they didn’t repent and believe in him (v20).

The 1st thing we look at is obvious but may be overlooked. And that is, there will be a judgment.

And it is not because of bad things they have done. It is because of their unbelief. When we think of ourselves, we usually think that we’re believers and therefore this judgment has nothing to do with us.

But how do you know that you’ve believed? If your life has never changed, you’re not born again and you can’t say that you’ve believed. When you’re leading someone to Christ, perhaps even your own children, this is what you want to look for.

B. There are degrees of judgment for unbelievers

Matthew 11:22–24 KJV 1900

22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

The 2nd thing we want to observe here is that there are degrees of judgment for unbelievers.

In v22, Jesus says that it is more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment than for you, i.e. Chorazin and Bethsaida. Tyre and Sidon are 2 ancient Phoenician cities that are described in the OT as Israel’s enemies and denounced for their Baal worship.

Tyre and Sidon, though they are Baal worshippers, didn’t have the privilege as Chorazin and Bethsaida to witness the many miracles of Jesus and thus to know the Messiah. On Judgment Day, Tyre and Sidon, their judgment will be less severe than Chorazin and Bethsaida.

Luke 12:47–48 KJV 1900

47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Likewise, the judgment of Capernaum, Jesus’ base of missions and adopted hometown, will be more severe than the city of Sodom in the day of Judgment.

In other words, the more revelation you have, you’ll have more severe judgment if you refused to believe in Jesus. When it comes to our children especially, they’ve been coming to church from very young and if they never come to Christ, their judgment will be horrible. Thus we must all the more pray for them if they refuse to believe in Christ.

We must not forget that salvation is of the Lord. There is no way we can force our children to believe. We can show our love to them, shelter them from worldliness but God has to work in their hearts before they can be saved. And really, the only hope we have is to appeal to God’s mercy for them in prayer.

C. The most serious sin is unbelief

Matthew 11:23–24 KJV 1900

23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

Matthew 11:24 KJV 1900

24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

The 3rd thing we observe is that the most serious sin is unbelief. In v24, we know that Sodom was so wicked that God had to destroy the city with fire with no warning through a prophet.

Yet it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for Capernaum in the day of Judgment. Why? There is nothing wicked about Capernaum that was recorded in the Scriptures. The only thing recorded is what Jesus just said in . That is, they repented not of unbelief.

Matthew 11:20 KJV 1900

20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:

Why is unbelief such a terrible sin in God’s eyes? Now there is a big difference between doubting and unbelief.

John the Baptist doubted because he had a hard time rationalizing that the Messiah Jesus is not coming to judge the world. The last time we saw that in the OT, the 2 comings of Christ were put side by side as if it is only 1 coming.

Matthew 11:2–3 KJV 1900

2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

But unbelief is when you’ve all the evidence that Christ is the Messiah because of His miracles and yet you choose not to belief. That is unbelief, very different from doubt.

In fact, every Christian today still has some doubts about God depending on his knowledge and walk with God. But every Christian believe in God and their hearts have been transformed.

Unbelief is worse than murder, adultery, stealing because it is the sin that rejects God. Murderers, adulterers and thieves do not necessarily reject God. In fact, there are many such people who actually accepted Christ when they heard the Gospel in prison. Pastor Yeow has a prison ministry in Changi prison and he told us the no. of conversions he personally witnessed.

Pastor Yeow has a prison ministry in Changi prison and he told us the no. of conversions he personally witnessed.

D. Judgment includes what people should have done ,

Matthew 11:21 KJV 1900

21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Matthew 11:23 KJV 1900

23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

The 4th thing we want to see is that judgment includes what people should have done. Sodom was a wicked city but if it had saw Christ’s works, it would have repented.

Capernaum, though not a wicked city, ought to believe in Christ since they’ve the opportunity to see many of Christ’s works. But Capernaum didn’t do what she should have done - i.e. believe in Christ.

E. God does not owe salvation to anyone (why God didn’t work miracles in 3 cities)

5th-ly, we want to see that God does not owe salvation to anyone. Why didn’t God give more revelation of Himself to Tyre, Sidon and Sodom as He did for Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum?

God knew that if He did so, Tyre, Sidon and Sodom would have repented. So why didn’t He do it?

The theological conclusion is that He doesn’t owe salvation to anyone. And this is what says.

Romans 9:13–16 KJV 1900

13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Romans 9:14–16 KJV 1900

14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

We don’t know why God doesn’t want to save everybody which He could if He wanted to. We only know that He is not obligated to and He has reasons not revealed to us not to save everyone.

Perhaps if He saves everyone, then we won’t see God’s salvation as His grace but rather His obligation.

II. Jesus’ Salvation v25-27

A. Based on specific revelation of the Son

Matthew 11:25 KJV 1900

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Now we come to see Jesus’ salvation. 1st-ly, His salvation is based on specific revelation of the Son. In v25, “these things” refers to the revelation about Jesus as the Messiah since the context condemns those who saw Jesus’ miracles and yet rejected Him.

The “wise and prudent” is not referring to those with education anymore than the babes refers to age or size. The contrast is between those who are self-sufficient and deem themselves wise and those who are dependent and love to be taught.

If you think you know everything already, then you are the “wise and prudent.” But if you think that you still have much to learn, then you are the “babes.” In other words, it is the difference between proud and humble.

B. According to God’s discretion

Matthew 11:26 KJV 1900

26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

Here it is implied that Jesus’ salvation is a result of God’s election. God decides to choose whom He will according to His own discretion. We’ve seen this in earlier.

The high up and the successful in society usually thinks that they deserve God’s salvation. But God’s election has nothing to do one’s works. This is what (concerning Esau and Jacob) says.

Romans 9:11–12 KJV 1900

11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

C. According to the Son’s revelation

Matthew 11:27 KJV 1900

27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

Jesus’ salvation is not only based on God’s discretion when He elected some to salvation but it is also based on whom the Son chooses to reveal God to.

Salvation is the work of the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Here the Holy Spirit is not mentioned but He is very involved in the regeneration and sanctification of saints.

Since Jesus’ miracles didn’t reveal God to the 3 cities that He is condemning in this passage, Jesus’ miracles alone are not a revelation of God. The scribes and Pharisees saw many of Jesus’ miracles and yet they planned to kill Him.

Hence miracles alone doesn’t reveal God though it should cause people to think seriously about His claims. Jesus’ revelation of God is based on whom He chooses to do so. He said this in .

John 15:16 KJV 1900

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

This places Jesus on equal footing with God. God chooses and Jesus chooses before a soul can get saved. In fact, is a Christological verse that speaks of Him being equal with God.

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III. Jesus’ Invitation v28-30

A. Invitation is for those burdened by sin

Matthew 11:28 KJV 1900

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28a KJV 1900

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

After condemning the 3 cities for their unbelief and explaining that salvation is a matter of God’s election and Jesus’ choice, Jesus now gives an invitation.

The word “labour” here refers to people who worked to the point of weariness. And “heavy laden” is a picture of an animal that is overloaded with burden. Hence “labour and are heavy laden” can be translated as “weary and burdened.”

The phrase does not refer primarily to the burdens of a difficult life but to a sense of sin’s burden and the need of a Saviour. The context speaks of Jesus’ condemnation of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their failure to repent at Jesus’ preaching. The main reason is because they were getting along just fine and were not burdened by sin.

But for people who are not doing well in this world or are burdened by sin, the news of a Messiah coming is great news. And Jesus’ invitation is to such people. These people believe that Jesus can remove their burden of sin and thus will come to Him.

This is why in times of God’s revival, there is a great sensitivity to sin followed by repentance. The problem today is that people are very satisfied with this life and insensitive to sin. Hence we don’t see revival and repentance today.

Later, we’ll look at the rest Jesus offers.

Matthew 11:28b KJV 1900

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

B. Invitation to follow Jesus

Matthew 11:29–30 KJV 1900

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Now we want to see the invitation to follow Jesus. The invitation is not just to come (i.e. believe in Jesus for salvation), but also to follow Jesus by taking His yoke.

Yoke refers to a wooden frame that ties an old ox to a young ox so as to teach the young ox to follow the way of the old ox.

Jesus’ yoke then means to follow Jesus in His ways. But Jesus also wants us to learn of Him “learn of me.” This is a picture of a Christian school or church where every believer gets into a lifelong course studying about Jesus. There is no graduation day in this school because God is infinite and there is always more to learn about Jesus.

C. The Rest Jesus offers

Matthew 11:28–29 KJV 1900

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Twice in v28-29, Jesus mentions “rest.” The first rest is a rest that He’ll give us. This refers to a removal of the burden of sin by Jesus when a person first put his faith in Him.

The second rest is a rest that you will find when you follow Jesus and learn about Him. How does this rest look like?

Firstly, this rest comes about by taking Jesus’ yoke. And Jesus yoke speaks of working together with Him. In other words, this rest comes about by working and obeying God. That’s Jesus’ earthly example for us.

We don’t see Jesus taking holidays in the Gospel. In fact, He worked so hard caring for the multitudes that He has to force Himself away from the crowd in order to pray to the Father.

Do you know how the Bible describe people in the last days? (especially v4)

2 Timothy 3:1–4 KJV 1900

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

The irony is that rest doesn’t come from indulging in pleasures which are fleeting and temporal. Your soul won’t find rest in this temporal world.

Your soul will find rest when you know you’ve done something of eternal value and that you’ve lived a purposeful life. When you served God, you’ll always feel that all your hard work is worth all the energy you put in because God is not only pleased with you but God is going to use your hard work to bless others.

But when you seek after ease of life, you find yourself of little value to others and your life meaningless. And when you feel that your life is meaningless, you experience an emptiness, and no rest in your souls.

Jesus’ way though can be hard, uncomfortable and even trying brings refreshment and true rest. At the end of the day, you can say with Paul,

2 Timothy 4:7–8 KJV 1900

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:7 KJV 1900

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Conclusion:

So we’ve seen 5 aspects of Jesus’ Judgment, 3 aspects of Jesus’ Salvation and Jesus Invitation to His rest which is found by following Him.

In all aspects, it is all of God’s grace. We can’t do anything without God’s grace.