August 8, 2021
Morning Service

Chapter 10 was full of instruction and encouragement directed to training the apostles to begin to take an active part in the ministry Jesus was building.  He knew He would only be around for a short time and these men had to be ready to take over after his DBR.  Jesus was very transparent in telling them what lay ahead for them; persecution, scourging, and being hated by many for their faith in Him.  He however strongly encouraged them to not to be afraid because He knew them, valued them and would always be with them.  In choosing to follow Him, Jesus asks each of us to “carry our cross” finding our life by giving it to Him.  To follow faithfully means to come to die out to yourself.  Jesus now gives us a great example of life like that.

 Mat 11:1-6 Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.  (2)  And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples (3) and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  (4)  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: (5) The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.  (6)  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."

            Jesus quotes Isaiah 35:4-6 here to assure John that He is indeed the One who was prophesied to come as Messiah.  His actions which fulfilled prophecy that was written hundreds of years before His birth are just further proof that He is who He says He is.  John, while in prison, just must have needed some reassurance that all he had dedicated his life to was true and coming to pass.  Our enemy uses times like that where we are alone to place doubts even in the minds of those with the strongest faith.  John chose to believe the words of the One he proclaimed to be the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”  Jesus now becomes nostalgic in speaking about his cousin with whom He shared so much with.

 

Mat 11:7-15 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?  (8)  But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.  (9)  But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  (10)  For this is he of whom it is written: 'BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER BEFORE YOUR FACE, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.'  (11)  "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  (12)  And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.  (13)  For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.  (14)  And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.  (15)  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

            Jesus here applauds John for a job well done.  He had been given a large cross to bear in being the “messenger sent to prepare the way.”  John was a fearless preacher, a prophet like no other, as he was chosen to be the one to announce the long awaited Messiah’s arrival.  His life was dedicated to his mission.  He chose to suffer rather than be silent.  He in no way “conformed” himself to the ways of this world but chose to be “transformed” into a vessel to be used mightily by God.  He was called to follow and did so until his martyrdom; a life lost for Christ but found in Christ; surrender turning to victory.  Jesus now begins teaching on those to whom the message of salvation is being given to and their reactions.

Mat 11:16-24 "But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, (17) and saying: 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; We mourned to you, and you did not lament.'  (18)  For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'  (19)  The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children."  (20)  Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: (21) "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, 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 to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.  (23)  And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.  (24)  But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you."

            Jesus is condemning the attitude of that generation in that whatever He said or did they chose the opposite view.  They griped and complained that He was doing it in the wrong manner because His words challenged them to change from their comfortable, secure, self-centered life styles.  I believe our generation has returned to this same attitude.  We want to follow as long as it is not an inconvenience to us.  We want the blessings of God but do not want to pay the price to attain them.  We are more focused on us than Him.  We too often forget that we are called to follow, not lead; this is not about us but about Him and His kingdom.  Our cross sometimes will be difficult to carry, but Jesus has been transparent with us the road ahead is difficult, narrow and few there be that find it.  Jesus condemns these places that did not believe even when they saw many “mighty works.”  He will condemn our generation as well for having the entire word of God at our fingertips and still yet not being faithful to it!  We are so blessed to have God’s entire Word in our hands, but yet we choose to ignore it or place other things above it.  The Bible is our manual on what it truly means to follow Jesus and be found pleasing in His sight.  We all have times in which we struggle through life wishing we just knew what to do.  Our struggle is our own in that we want to do things our way rather than yield our lives fully to Him and faithfully carry our cross.  The struggle takes its toll on us and before long we find ourselves to weary to act.  Listen to Jesus call you this morning to something better; a way to a better life.

 

Mat 11:25-30 At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.  (26)  Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.  (27)  All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.  (28)  Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  (29)  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  (30)  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

            God has chosen to reveal His truth to us who have the faith of a child, not those who are wise in this world’s knowledge.  He calls to us “Come to me for rest; Come to Me I have something better for you than the life you are living.”  A yoke is a wooden collar that is attached to an ox to pull a heavy load; a symbol of submission.  A yoke also refers to a teaching from a Rabbi which points to the responsibility of those who choose to follow him; submission to his teachings.  The Jewish laws were a tremendous burden to bear for them, following the many rules and regulations became quite burdensome.  Jesus reveals that “My yoke is easy and My burden light.”   He promises love, healing and peace with God through serving that is from the heart not the mind or will.  It is relationship over religion.  It changes a meaningless, wearisome, and dutiful task into an act of spiritual worship and productivity.  He makes all we do meaningful and impactful for His kingdom.  He gives our lives a purpose bigger than ourselves.  The key is in verse 29, “Learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart.”  We who are following Christ must yield ourselves to a change of heart.  Listen to His words and allow them to teach you His ways and change you into all that God has planned for you.  A student truly applies the teaching he receives when he lives it out through his actions not only through words; “do not be a hearer only but a doer of the word!”  We find rest in trusting in Him and following without any reservations giving Him our all.  It is a rest of our inner soul knowing that we are following the One who was sent to lead us to truth.  It is a deep settled contentment that does not change even when our circumstances do.  This is the message Jesus is giving to you this morning.  Are you weary?  Are you carrying a heavy load?  Come to Me and I will give you rest; Jesus is the answer to your life of discontent.

 

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us to something better than what this world offers us.  Help us to follow faithfully and allow the Holy Spirit within us to change us into what You desire us to be.

 

Jesus is calling us to a better, more fulfilling life by following Him and obeying His commands.  It takes a total surrender on our part to attain this victory; let go and let God!  Life can be difficult, but Jesus call us to take His yoke upon us to be given rest.  We submit to His leading and then simply follow Him.  His yoke is easy and burden light because He helps us carry it and sends brothers and sisters to help us along the way.  Surrender yourself to His teachings and allow Him to change your life for the better.