SF079 - COME UNTO ME (Matthew 11 25-30)
Matthew 12:25-30
Introduction
The heart of the gospel is that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15). Jesus said that He came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). He tells men that because He is the Bread of Life, those who come to Him will never hunger and those who believe in Him will never thirst (John 6:35; cf. 7:37). Because He is the Light of the World, those who follow Him will “not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life” (8:12). Because He is “the resurrection and the life,” those who believe in Him will live even if they die (11:25).
Among the last words of Scripture is a final invitation to mankind to be saved: “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost” Rev. 22:17.
In the text before us we find our Lord praying to the Father and calling to men.
He prays to the Father concerning the Father’s will and work.
He calls men to salvation and service.
1A. An Invocation (12:25-27)
In His prayer the Lord speaks of two mysteries.
1B. The mystery of the divine process (12:25-26)
God’s ways are incomprehensible (12:25)
Ø His ways cannot be reasoned by human intellect
Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Ø His ways must be revealed by divine revelation.
Psalm 98:2 The LORD has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations.
God’s ways are infallible (12:26)
Ø In Romans 12:2 Paul speaks of God’s perfect will.
Ø In James 1:25 we are told of God’s perfect law.
Ø All that God is and does is perfect and good. (Mark 7:37)
2B. The mystery of the divine person (12:27)
Jesus is God – “My Father”
Ø This is a direct statement of His deity that was understood by all the Jews.
Ø It speaks of the intimate relationship Jesus shared with the Father.
John 10:30 "I and the Father are one."
God has granted Jesus “all things”
Ø This is a statement of Jesus’ authority.
Ø The Father has given Him all wisdom, all power, all authority, all that is needed to establish the kingdom.
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”
Jesus is the prefect and only true revelation of God – “the Son wills to reveal Him”
John 14:9 “He who has seen Me has seen the Father”
John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.
Ø “Explained,” exegoeomai; to expound, to exegete
2A. An Invitation (12:28-30)
1B. The call for salvation (11:28)
The problem – “weary and heavy laden”
Ø “Weary” kapiao; (to grow weary, or “to labor”) carries the idea of working to the point of utter exhaustion. The implication is that men are exhausted from trying to work their way to heaven.
Ø “Heavy laden” translates a perfect passive participle, indicating that at some time in the past a great load was dumped on the wearied person.
The plea – “come to me”
Ø To “come” to Christ we must leave sin and self – repent.
Mark 1:15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Acts 26:20 ... repent; turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
Ø To “come” to Christ we must place our faith in Him.
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
The promise – “I will give you rest”
Ø “Rest” anapauo; to give rest, to refresh
Ø This is not simply the cessation of work but it is a contentment and peace in our work.
Ø This rest comes when we are trusting in Him alone for salvation.
2B. The call for service (11:29-30)
The appeal (11:29)
Three words sum up the call for service: “take,” “learn,” and “find”
Ø Our submission – “take my yoke”
A yoke was made of wood, hand-hewn to fit the neck and shoulders of the particular animal that was to wear it in order to prevent chafing. The yoke was part of the harness used to pull a cart, plow or mill beam and was the means by which the animal’s master kept it under control and guided it in useful work.
Ø Our sanctification – “learn from Me...”
We are to learn from Christ to be meek and humble.
Ø Our satisfaction – “find rest for your souls”
Here is the daily application of His promise to us.
All acceptable service results in rest in Him.
The assurance (11:30)
Ø The Lord assures us that being yoked with Him will never be a burden but it will be a joy.
Ø His yoke has nothing to do with the demands of works or law much less those of human tradition. The Christian’s work of obedience to Christ is joyful
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
Matthew 11:25-30
1A. An Invocation (12:25-27)
1B. The mystery of the divine process (12:25-26)
God’s _______ are incomprehensible (12:25)
Ø His ways _______________ be reasoned by human intellect
Isaiah 55:8-9
1 Corinthians 2:14
Ø His ways ____________ be revealed by divine revelation.
Psalm 98:2
God’s ways are __________________ (12:26)
Ø In Romans 12:2 Paul speaks of God’s perfect will.
Ø In James 1:25 we are told of God’s perfect law.
Ø All that God is and does is perfect and good. (Mark 7:37)
2B. The mystery of the divine person (12:27)
Jesus is God – “My Father”
John 10:30 "I and the Father are one."
God has granted Jesus “all things”
Matthew 28:18
Jesus it the prefect and only true revelation of God – “the Son wills to reveal Him”
John 14:9
John 1:18
2A. An Invitation (12:28-30)
1B. The call for _____________________ (11:28)
The ___________ – “weary and heavy laden”
Ø “Weary” kapiao; (to grow weary, or “to labor”) carries the idea of working to the point of utter exhaustion. The implication is that men are exhausted from trying to work their way to heaven.
Ø “Heavy laden” translates a perfect passive participle, indicating that at some time in the past a great load was dumped on the wearied person.
The __________________ – “come unto me”
Ø To “come” to Christ we must leave sin and self – repent.
Mark 1:15
Acts 26
Ø To “come” to Christ we must place our __________________ in Him.
Acts 4:12
The _______________ – “I will give you rest”
2B. The call for ___________________ (11:29-30)
The appeal (11:29)
Ø Our submission – “_________ my yoke”
Ø Our sanctification – “learn from Me...”
Ø Our satisfaction – “___________ rest for your souls”
The assurance (11:30)
1 John 5:3