Mateus 11
J.C. Ryle · Citado em PreceptAustin
Mateus 11
Ryle - We should mark, lastly, in these verses, the solemn warning which our Lord gave to John’s disciples. He knew the danger in which they were. He knew that they were disposed to question His claim to be the Messiah, because of His lowly appearance. They saw no signs of a king about Him, no riches, no royal apparel, no guards, no courtiers, and no crown. They only saw a man, to all appearance poor as any one of themselves, attended by a few fishermen and publicans. Their pride rebelled at the idea of such an one as this being the Christ! It seemed incredible! There must be some mistake! Such thoughts as these, in all probability, passed through their minds. Our Lord read their hearts, and dismissed them with a searching caution. “Blessed,” He said, “is he that is not offended in me.” 🙏 THOUGHT- Ryle applies Jesus warning message - The warning is one that is just as needful now as it was when it was delivered. So long as the world stands, Christ and His Gospel will be a stumbling-block to many. To hear that we are all lost and guilty sinners, and cannot save ourselves,—to hear that we must give up our own righteousness, and trust in One who was crucified between two thieves,—to hear that we must be content to enter heaven side by side with publicans and harlots, and to owe all our salvation to free grace,—this is always offensive to the natural man. Our proud hearts do not like it. We are offended. Let the caution of these verses sink down deeply into our memories. Let us take heed that we are not offended. Let us beware of being stumbled, either by the humbling doctrines of the Gospel, or the holy practice which it enjoins on those who receive it. Secret pride is one of the worst enemies of man. It will prove at least to have been the ruin of thousands of souls. Thousands will be found to have had the offer of salvation, but to have rejected it. They did not like the terms. They would not stoop to “enter in at the strait gate.” They would not humbly come as sinners to the throne of grace. In a word, they were offended. And then will appear the deep meaning in our Lord’s words, “Blessed is he who shall not be offended in me.” (ED: BUT THEN IT WILL BE TOO LATE!) (Luke 7) Blessed (3107)(makarios from root makar, but others say from mak = large or lengthy) means to be happy, but not in the usual sense of happiness based on positive circumstances. From the Biblical perspective Makarios describes the person who is free from daily cares and worries because his every breath and circumstance is in the hands of His Maker Who gives him such an assurance (such a "blessing"). As discussed below makarios was used to describe the kind of happiness that comes from receiving divine favor. Makarios uses by Luke - Lk. 1:45; Lk. 6:20; Lk. 6:21; Lk. 6:22; Lk. 7:23; Lk. 10:23; Lk. 11:27; Lk. 11:28; Lk. 12:37; Lk. 12:38; Lk. 12:43; Lk. 14:14; Lk. 14:15; Lk. 23:29; Acts 20:35; Acts 26:2 Take offense (4624)(skandalizo from skandalon= a trap = put a snare or stumbling block in way; English = scandalize = to offend the moral sense of) means to put a snare (in the way), hence to cause to stumble, to give offense but has only figurative meanings in the NT. To entrap, trip up, or entice to sin, offend. Turning away is literally “stumbling,” which refers to spiritual defeat or apostasy. In Mt 5:29-30+ skandalizo is used in the active sense which conveys the idea to cause to do wrong, to entice to commit sin. In the passive sense it be means to be led into sin, to be caused to do wrong. In the passive some uses mean to be offended (Mt 11:6), the idea being that one is taking offense at Jesus and/or refusing to believe in Him. Finally, skandalizo can mean to furnish an occasion for some to be shocked, angered, or offended (Mt 17:27). Luke's only other use is Lk 17:2 “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble." Robertson on skandilizo in Lk 7:23 - has the double notion of to trip up and to entrap and in the NT always means causing to sin. Louw-Nida adds This verb means to be offended because of some action [LN (25.180)], or to fall into sin due to certain contributing circumstances [LN (88.30)], or to give up believing what is right and let oneself believe what is false [LN (31.77)]. DEPICTION OF "SKANDALON/SKANDALIZO" Skandalizo is derived from skandalon which refers to stick in a trap on which the bait is placed and which springs up and shuts the trap at the touch of the careless, unwary animal. It follows that the idea is to put a stumbling block or impediment in one's way, upon which another may trip and fall. Jesus' point is that anything or anyone that morally traps us (by our senses, visual, touch, and by expansion not excluding the other senses such as hearing), and causes us to fall into sin should be eliminated, radically and quickly. If we do not make every necessary effort to control our surroundings, what we watch and read, who we keep company with and speak with, etc, then those things will control us. If you cannot control something, it needs to be "jettisoned" to keep the boat afloat so to speak. Skandalizo - 27v - cause(1), cause...to stumble(2), causes(2), causes...to stumble(6), fall away(7), falls away(1), led into sin(1), makes...stumble(2), offend(1), offended(1), stumble(3), stumbling(1), take(1), take offense(1), took offense(2). Matt. 5:29; Matt. 5:30; Matt. 11:6; Matt. 13:21; Matt. 13:57; Matt. 15:12; Matt. 17:27; Matt. 18:6; Matt. 18:8; Matt. 18:9; Matt. 24:10; Matt. 26:31; Matt. 26:33; Mk. 4:17; Mk. 6:3; Mk. 9:42; Mk. 9:43; Mk. 9:45; Mk. 9:47; Mk. 14:27; Mk. 14:29; Lk. 7:23; Lk. 17:2; Jn. 6:61; Jn. 16:1; 1 Co. 8:13; 2 Co. 11:29 Sammy Burgess (When God Is Near and Yet Seems So Far Away) During the Second World War, when Hitler was blitzing London, for safety purposes, the children were loaded into train after train and moved out of the city. One little fellow was asked, "Where are you going?" He replied, "I don't know, but the King knows." We may not understand all that is going on, but the King does. Don't get upset because God doesn't work {how} and {when} you think He ought to work. Let the Lord do what He wants and how He wants instead of getting upset with Him. There is a Creed inscribed on a plaque at the Institute of Rehabilitative Medicine in New York, City. “I ask God for strength that I might achieve; I was made weak that I might learn to obey. I ask God for health that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy; I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness that I might feel the need for God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life; I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I received nothing that I asked for; but I got everything that I hoped for.” Never forget that the Lord is always at work, even when we don't see Him at work. When he works in ways that we do not understand, don't be offended or upset with God. He knows what He is doing. I heard a story about a 10 year old boy named Danny Aialo. {I-e-lo}. Danny Aialo was in a tragic automobile accident and lost his left arm. His physical therapist who was trying to get this boy back into physical and psychological shape was a Judo expert. He begin to get this boy back into shape by teaching him Judo. As the therapist begin to teach Danny Aialo Judo, he became very interested in it. The therapist then, after several days of therapy, referred Danny to his Judo master, a “black belt” specialist from Japan. This Judo specialist took interest in Danny Aialo and took him on as one of his students. Every day, Danny Aialo went down to the studio (one arm; no left arm) and work out with all the other students. Danny became very good at Judo. The Regional championship came up and all the students were wanting to participate, including Danny Aialo. The Judo Master tried to discourage Danny from participating; but Danny insisted that he enter the event. Danny wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. The Judo Master began to show the other students several new moves; but he only showed Danny Aialo one move. After several days of training, Danny became frustrated. He couldn’t understand why they Judo Master showed the other students 10 new moves, but showed him only one move. The Judo instructor told Danny Aialo that he would have to trust him. He wanted Danny to perfect this one move so he could enter the tournament. Danny Aialo was offended, but he had no other choice but to trust his instructor. THE INSTRUCTOR WAS NOT TREATING DANNY AIALO DIFFERENTLY; HE WAS TREATING HIM SPECIALLY! He told Danny that if he would perfect this one move, he would win the tournament. It came time for the tournament and the students participated and did very well. The little one armed boy Danny Aialo won his first 3 matches. In the finals, he was going to face the boy who was the defending champion. Nobody gave Danny Aialo a chance to win the match. In fact, the first few minutes were awful. Danny was beaten, bruised, broken, but he wouldn’t quit. The referee came close to calling the match because of the beating Danny was taking. But the referee saw something in Danny’s eyes and new that he wasn’t about to give up. As Danny Aialo struggled in his match, his eyes caught the eyes of his Judo instructor. His instructor eyes looked hard into the eyes of Danny as if to say; “Danny; it’s time to use your move.” Danny used his one move with his one arm; beat that kid and won the championship. When the match was over with, Danny asked the instructor; “What was so special about that move that you taught me?” The coach smiled and said; “Danny; the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm.” Let me teach you a lesson worth learning: Behind every problem you face lies the Purpose of God! SO DON’T DOUBT HIM! EVEN WHEN LIFE DOESN’T MAKE SENSE. (1)- WITH SUFFERING - God’s Power is Received. (2)- IN SUFFERING - God’s Provision is Released. (3)-THROUGH SUFFERING - God’s Person is Revealed. {11:3}- “Art Thou He that should come, or do we look for another?” God is who He says He is. Even when life doesn’t make sense Vance Havner - The Blessing of the Unoffended JOHN the Baptist, a rugged, outdoor ascetic, found prison life depressing and sent to know whether Jesus really was the Messiah. Great men may know moods of doubt and despondency. Our Lord simply declared that His works proved His mission, then paid John fine tribute. Here, He declared, was no comfortable, fashionable court preacher but a real prophet, and that no greater man had arisen. Yet the humblest believer in the age of grace is greater, in point of privilege, than John who lived under law. The difference is in position, not a matter of moral worth. Our Lord declared (Matt. 11:12) that the kingdom suffered violence, and the violent took it by force—comparing those who were pressing into the kingdom to soldiers storming a fortress. Verily, the things of God are not for loafers: we must be violently resolute if we are to press into the deeper things; we must be diligent to make our calling and election sure. Then He said John was the Elijah prophesied in Malachi 4:5-6. Meanwhile, the Pharisees were like spoiled children who could not be suited with any kind of preaching, the fasting of John or the feasting of Jesus. But wisdom is vindicated by her children—in the lives of her disciples, in that wise children receive truth in any garb, and in the sense that wisdom is proven by what she does, the results she produces. C H
Mateus 11
Ryle asks... What is the invitation to the laboring and heavy laden? Jesus says, "come unto me." I love that word "Come." To me it seems full of grace, mercy and encouragement. "Come now," says the Lord in Isaiah, "and let us reason together: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow." Come is the word put in the mouth of the king's messenger in the parable of the guest-supper: "All is now ready; come unto the marriage." Come is the last word in the Bible to sinners. "The Spirit and the Bride say, Come." Jesus does not say, "Go and get ready." This is the word of the Pharisee and self-righteous. "Go and work out a righteousness. Do this and that and be saved." Jesus says, Come. Jesus does not say "Send."...Jesus says Come. Jesus does not say "Wait." This is the word of the enthusiast and the fanatic. "You can do nothing. You must not ask; you cannot pray; you must sit still." Cold comfort for troubled souls. Jesus says come. Come is a word of merciful invitation. It seems to say, "I want you to escape the wrath to come. I am not willing that any should perish. I have no pleasure in death. I would gladly have all men saved, and I offer all the water of life freely. So come to Me." Come is a word of gracious expectation. It seems to say, "I am here waiting for you. I sit on my mercy-seat expecting you to come. I wait to be gracious. I wait for more sinners to come in before I close the door. I want more names written down in the book of life before it is closed forever. So come to Me." Come is a word of kind encouragement. It seems to say, I have got treasures to bestow if you will only receive them. I have that to give which makes it worth while to come: a free pardon, a robe of righteousness, a new heart, a star of peace. So come to Me. Brethren, I ask you to hear these words and lay them to heart. I plead for my Master; I stand here an ambassador; I ask you to come and be reconciled to God. I ask you to come with all your sins, however many they may be. If you come to Him they will be taken away. I ask you to come as you are. You feel unfit; you say you are not good enough. The worse you think yourself, the better prepared you are. Christ is not a Savior of those who think they are righteous—but of sinners. I ask you to come now. No other time is your own. The opportunity past, the door will be shut, and yourself dead. Come now. Come to Christ. Ah! brethren, I fear that many of you will not take one saving step—will not come to Christ. You go on content with your own devices, like Balaam; like Felix, you never finally come to Christ. I warn you plainly that you may come to church, and come to the Lord's table, and come to the minister, and yet never be saved. The one thing needed is actual coming to the Savior, actual coming to the Fountain, actual washing in the blood of atonement. Except you do this, you will die in your sins. Gird up your loins like a man, and resolve that you will come. Do you feel vile and unworthy to come? Tell it to Jesus. Do you feel as if you know not what to say and do when you come? Tell it to Jesus. Tell Him you are all sin; tell Him you are all weakness; tell Him you feel as if you had no faith and no power, no grace and no strength, no goodness and no love—but come to Him, and commit your soul to His charge. Let nothing keep you back from Christ. Tell Him you have heard that He receives sinners; that you are such a one, and you want to be saved. Tell Him you have nothing to plead but His own word—but He said Come, and therefore you come to Him. (Come Unto Me) Octavius Winslow adds that... The life of faith is a constant coming to Jesus for daily, hourly, and fresh supplies. Let every circumstance and event, every trial, sorrow, and need, be an echo of the gracious life inspiring words: "Go to Jesus!" Go to Jesus, confessing sin. Go to Jesus, unveiling grief. Go to Jesus, telling need. Go to Jesus, breathing love, desire, and hope. You are still in the land of famine and of need. But your heavenly Father would remind you that He has anticipated and provided . . .for all your requirements, for all your history, for your daily demands, in Him whom whose fullness fills all in all. Take the hard heart, or the broken heart; take the cold heart, or the glowing heart; take your barrenness, or your fruitfulness; take the sunbeam of prosperity, or the cloud of adversity; take the joy, take the sorrow; take all to Jesus! Let Him participate in all, keep you in all, sympathize with all; for Jesus is your Brother, raised up to befriend, relieve, and preserve you in your time of need. J C Philpot asks... Are you ever weary . . .of the world, of sin, of self, of everything below the skies? If so, you want something to give you rest. You look to SELF—it is but shifting sand, tossed here and there with the restless tide, and ever casting up mire and dirt. No holding ground; no anchorage; no rest there. You look to OTHERS—you see what man is, even the very best of men in their best state—how fickle, how unstable, how changing and changeable; how weak even when willing to help; how more likely to add to, than relieve your distress; if desirous to sympathize with and comfort you in trouble and sorrow, how short his arm to help, how unsatisfactory his aid to relieve! You find no rest there. You lean upon the WORLD—it is but a broken reed which runs into your hand and pierces you. You find no rest there. So look where you will, there is no rest for the sole of your foot. John MacDuff addresses the question... "Oh, where can rest be found?" This is the cry of weary, care worn humanity. This is the cry embracing every nation and every climate, from the yearnings of heathendom to the longings and aspirations of the present hour. From the tumultuous sea of the world's unrest, this cry has gone up like a dirge of baffled souls, "Oh, where can rest be found?" "Come unto me," is the address of many siren voices, titillating tones of questionable or forbidden pleasure, leading only to . . .unrest, disquiet, heart weariness, life failure; tinted soap bubbles with a momentary iridescence, then collapsing. The existence of many is a pursuit after spurious and counterfeit rest, misnamed "happiness"; an aimless, vapid life of pleasure; engrossed with objects which bring with them no sense of satisfaction; a dull, weary round on the world's monotonous treadmill. Some strive to find rest through the gateway of ethical systems and philosophic tenets. Others, through the gateway of human merit. Others through . . .ceremonial observances, fasts and vigils, penances and pilgrimages, rites and ceremonies, creeds and dogmas. These, and such as these, are alike spurious and unavailing. "Oh, where can rest be found?" Matthew 11:28 is the answer, the only real answer! "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Reflect What problems in your life are you trying to solve on your own? What has God told you about that through this lesson? Have you ever experienced the freedom that comes from giving your difficulties to Jesus? I'm the oldest of several children in my family. When I was younger, I thought I could help my parents by being a sort of "junior parent." I could fix my sibling's problems and Mom and Dad didn't even have to be bothered. What I realized after my parents talked to me is that 1) my "fixing" only made things worse, and 2) my parents wanted to be involved in their children's lives--it wasn't a bother. Now that I'm older, I see that I'm not the only one with the habit of trying to "fix" things. Only it's often about fixing our own problems without bothering God. It's when we think, God can't be bothered with my problems. He wouldn't even be interested. The Bible says otherwise. "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30, ESV) "Come to me," Jesus says. Jesus doesn't want to sit on the sidelines. "All you who labor and are heavy laden."Life is hard and we make it impossible when we try to carry our burdens and fix our problems ourselves. "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me."When farmers used oxen to plow, one ox alone couldn't plow an entire field. But two oxen, bound together with a yoke would more than double their power and together accomplish what one alone could not. Jesus says, "Join me, I will supply the power you lack." "For I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." This isn't boot camp; Jesus is not your drill sergeant. He's your Savior and Friend, your Comforter and Strength. Because He lived as a man, He knows how hard life gets, and He wants to help you. "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."After my parents talked to me, life got a lot easier. I was still responsible to them and they were still my parents, but I no longer felt the burden of trying to fix or control things that I couldn't. It's the same with Jesus. He wants to carry your burdens, and He will when you walk with Him. Pray Lord Jesus, take my burdens. I want to find rest and peace in You. Amen. (Courtesy of Back to the Bible) Norman Geisler - When Critics Ask MATTHEW 11:28–30—Is Jesus’ yoke easy or hard? PROBLEM: Jesus said here, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” However, Hebrews declares that “whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives” (Heb. 12:6). Which is it—easy or hard? SOLUTION: These verses are referring to different aspects of the Christian life. The life of a believer is “easy” in that it brings “rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:29), but it is hard on the “flesh,” which often needs the disciplining hand of God to keep it in line. Salvation brings “peace with God” (Rom. 5:1), but it also brings conflict with the world (1 John 2:15–17; Gal. 5:17). The Apostle Paul himself experienced God’s grace in his life, but he also had a thorn in his flesh (2 Cor. 12:7–9). LEARNING TO REST (Isaiah 30:15) - Many Christians are anxious and troubled. Although they are experiencing the "rest" of salvation that accompanies the forgiveness of sins and are looking forward to the eternal "rest" of heaven, their souls are still in turmoil. Fearful and doubting, they seem to be continually burdened by life's problems. A closer look at their anxiety can reveal the reason for their distress. Having never learned to rest in the Lord, they fail to experience the "quietness and confidence" (Isaiah 30:15) that comes to those who daily fellowship with Him through Bible study and prayer. An unknown author has penned a verse describing the problem: We mutter and sputter, we fume and we spurt; We mumble and grumble, our feelings get hurt; We can't understand things, our vision grows dim, When all that we need is communion with Him! When we put our problems in God's hands, He puts His peace in our hearts. A band of explorers in Africa hired some villagers to help them on their journey through the jungle. The group set out and pushed on relentlessly for several days. Finally the tribesmen sat down and would go no farther. When asked the reason, their leader answered, "We've been going too fast. We must pause and wait for our souls to catch up with our bodies!" Many Christians who have overextended themselves in a flurry of church activities or other worthwhile pursuits have experienced a similar feeling. Being so preoccupied with helping others, they suddenly feel as if they have left behind the most important part of themselves—their soul. They have lost intimate contact with the Lord. LEARNING AS A WAY OF LIFE Take my yoke upon you and learn from me . . . and you will find rest for your souls.MATTHEW 11:29 “My dad pointed out to me something that Charles Spurgeon pointed out to him,” wrote pastor Dane Ortlund in Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers. “In the four Gospel accounts given to us in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John— eighty-nine chapters of biblical text— there’s only one place where Jesus tells us about his own heart.” That place is described in today’s Scripture verse: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:29). As we’ve studied godly learning together this month, we’ve seen that learning can be hard work. It can involve suffering. It definitely requires uncomfortable change and growth. Are we ready to put on Christ’s yoke and learn from Him? We may assume that we have to grit our teeth and begin. But here Jesus says we will find “rest” for our souls? Yes, learning from Jesus is restful because our Teacher is humble and gentle. His invitation is “pure joy” (James 1:2). Jesus praised the Father for revealing the truth of His redemptive plan to His followers, rather than to the Pharisees and other religious leaders (vv. 25–26). This reminds us that God often overturns the knowledge of the “wise and learned” for His own purposes. In the same way the Father revealed the Son to those He chose, the Son also reveals the Father to whomever He chooses (v. 27). The ultimate content of real learning always centers around God Himself. This leads into the call to come and learn from Jesus (vv. 28–30). Yes, we’ll need to pick up our crosses and carry them in the footsteps of our Master (Luke 9:23–26). But on the journey, we’ll learn that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (see also Jer. 6:16; 1 John 5:3). >> Reflect on this month’s study (or reread your notes if you’ve been taking them). What are your top three takeaways or insights? How will you pursue learning from God in the year ahead? Pray with Us Father, for all the sacrifice You ask of us, You provide what we lack to obey You. Thank You for making us not just Your servants, but Your beloved children. We trust You and worship You for Your perfect love. BY Brad Baurain REST BY THE FIRE - When guests at The Houstonian Hotel in Houston, Texas, enter the main lobby on a searingly hot summer day, they are often surprised to see flames dancing in a huge stone fireplace. If it's scorching outside and the air conditioning is humming away, why have a fire burning inside? Because people like to gather around a fire. The gas logs don't produce much heat, but there's something warm, inviting, and relaxing about the flickering light. It seems to say, "Pull up a chair, sit down, and rest awhile." As I read the Bible, I often sense that weary, anxious people were drawn to Jesus Christ in much the same way that travelers today are drawn toward the fireplace in that Texas hotel. RESTING ON JESUS - A missionary in Africa experienced great difficulty in trying to translate the Gospel of John into the local dialect. He faced the problem of finding a word for believe. When he came to that particular word, he always had to leave a blank space. Then one day a runner came panting into the camp, having traveled a great distance with a very important message. After blurting out his story, he fell exhausted into a hammock nearby. He muttered a brief phrase that seemed to express both his great weariness and his contentment at finding such a delightful place of relaxation. The missionary, never having heard these words before, asked a bystander what the runner had said. "Oh, he is saying, `I'm at the end of myself, therefore I am resting all of my weight here!"' The missionary exclaimed, "Praise God! That is the very expression I need for the word believe!" ILLUSTRATION - The Farmer’s Yoke A farmer has two oxen yoked together to plow a field. One is an older, stronger ox, experienced in the task, while the other is young and inexperienced. The stronger ox bears most of the weight of the yoke, guiding and supporting the younger one. Lesson: When we take on Jesus’ yoke, we are like the younger ox. He bears the brunt of the burden and guides us with His strength and wisdom, making our load manageable. ILLUSTRATION - The Heavy Backpack A hiker struggles up a steep mountain trail, carrying an overloaded backpack filled with unnecessary items. Another hiker approaches and offers to exchange backpacks. The second hiker’s pack is light and carefully prepared, and the struggling hiker accepts, finding the journey now far more enjoyable. Lesson: Jesus invites us to exchange the burdens of life—stress, guilt, and self-reliance—for His light and purposeful load, freeing us to walk with peace and joy. ILLUSTRATION - The Lighthouse in the Storm A sailor caught in a violent storm desperately tries to navigate the treacherous waters. Exhausted and losing hope, they see the steady light of a lighthouse guiding them to a safe harbor. The sailor stops striving and follows the light, finally reaching rest. Lesson: Like the lighthouse, Jesus provides rest and guidance in the storms of life. He offers a refuge where we can stop striving and find peace. ILLUSTRATION - The Gentle Teacher A student struggles under the pressure of learning a difficult subject with an impatient and harsh teacher. Frustrated and overwhelmed, the student transfers to another class where the new teacher is patient, kind, and explains everything clearly. The student not only learns but finds joy in the process. Lesson: Jesus is the gentle and humble teacher who makes life’s lessons bearable and even joyful when we trust Him to lead and guide us. ILLUSTRATION - The Broken Cart A farmer’s cart is overloaded with goods, and the wheels begin to break under the weight. Another farmer comes along with a sturdy wagon and offers to help carry the load. The first farmer gratefully accepts, and the journey continues with ease. Lesson: Our human efforts often lead to burnout and brokenness, but Jesus invites us to give Him our burdens, offering His strength and resources in return. ILLUSTRATION - . The Child and the Parent A child struggles to carry a large, heavy box across the room, grunting with effort. The parent steps in, takes the box, and carries it effortlessly, while the child walks beside them, now free to enjoy the journey. Lesson: Jesus invites us to stop trying to carry life’s burdens alone. When we give them to Him, He takes the weight, allowing us to walk beside Him with peace and trust. ILLUSTRATION - The Restful Chair After a long day of labor, a worker finally finds a comfortable chair to sit in and rest. The chair doesn’t eliminate the worker’s tasks, but it provides relief and refreshment, allowing the worker to regain strength for what lies ahead. Lesson: Jesus doesn’t promise to remove all life’s responsibilities, but He offers rest for our souls, giving us the strength and peace to continue. ILLUSTRATION - The Anchor for the Soul A ship is tossed about on the open sea, vulnerable to the winds and waves. When the captain drops the anchor, the ship stabilizes, finding security despite the surrounding storm. Lesson: Jesus offers rest and stability in the chaotic storms of life, anchoring us in His peace and care. ILLUSTRATION - The Load-Bearing Wall A house with a collapsing ceiling is reinforced by a load-bearing wall, which takes on the weight and prevents the house from falling apart. Lesson: Jesus is the load-bearer for our lives, offering to take on what we cannot handle and holding us up when we feel like we’re falling. ILLUSTRATION - The Shepherd’s Rest A shepherd leads their sheep to green pastures after a long journey. The sheep rest, eat, and drink without fear, knowing they are cared for and protected by the shepherd. Lesson: Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, offers rest and refreshment for our souls when we trust Him to lead us. REST IN THE STORM - I heard about a submarine that was on patrol during wartime and had to remain submerged overnight. When it resurfaced the next day, a friend on another ship radioed the captain, "How did you fare in that terrible storm last night?" Surprised, the officer exclaimed, "What storm? We didn't know there was one!" Although the ocean's surface had been whipped into huge waves by high winds, the vessel was not affected because the waters below remained calm and tranquil. Someone once outlined the words of Isaiah 26:3 this way: You—a Precious God. Perfect peace—a Priceless Possession. Whose mind is stayed on You—a Present focus. Because he trusts in You—a Powerful faith. When we fix our mind on Jesus, He keeps our mind at rest. From nature we can learn a lesson about the importance of rest. Built into the life of every tree are stages of dormancy. In his book As a Tree Grows, W Phillip Keller points out that in northern climates the dormant phase is in the winter, and in the tropical regions it is during the hot, dry season. "It is important to understand," says Keller, that dormancy is not death. A tree may appear to be dead, it is true. The leaves of deciduous trees will be all stripped off in the fall, leaving a stark skeleton. The tree is nevertheless very much alive—but at rest." He added that this dormancy is immediately followed by a period of active growth. The dormant phase is a rebuilding and reconditioning for the upsurge of vigorous activity ahead. Time in Christ's service Requires time out for renewal. RESTING ON THE BIBLE - Resting on the Bible: — In Newport church, in the Isle of Wight, lies buried the Princess Elizabeth (daughter of Charles the First). A marble monument, erected by our Queen Victoria, records in a touching way the manner of her death. She languished in Carisbrook Castle during the wars of the Commonwealth — a prisoner, alone, and separated from all the companions of her youth, tilt death set her free. She was found dead one day, with her head leaning on her Bible, and the Bible open at the words, Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. The monument in Newport church records this fact. It consists of a female figure reclining her head on a marble book, with our text engraven on the book. Think, my brethren, what a sermon in stone that monument preaches. Think what a stunning memorial it affords of the utter inability of rank and high birth to confer certain happiness. Think what a testimony it bears to the lesson before you this day — the mighty lesson that there is no true rest for any one excepting in Christ. -Happy will it be for your soul if that lesson is never forgotten. Here is an excerpt from the related Wikipedia article.... Following her death, her grave was largely unmarked until the 19th century, with the exception of her carved initials: E[lizabeth] S[tuart]. Queen Victoria, who made her favourite home at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, commanded that a suitable monument be erected to her memory. In 1856, a white marble sculpture by Queen Victoria's favorite sculptor Carlo Marochetti was commissioned for her grave that depicted Elizabeth as a beautiful young woman, lying with her cheek on a Bible open to words from Gospel of Matthew: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Above the sculpture is a grating, indicating that she was a prisoner, but the bars are broken to show that the prisoner has now escaped to "a greater rest." The plaque marking the sculpture reads: "To the memory of The Princess Elizabeth, daughter of King Charles I, who died at Carisbrooke Castle on September 8, 1630, and is interred beneath the chancel of this church, this monument is erected as a token of respect for her virtues and of sympathy for her misfortunes, by Victoria R., 1856." (Princess Elizabeth of England) JESUS' REST GREATER THAN MOSES or JOSHUA MOSES JOSHUA JESUS No Rest Nu 14:33, 34+ Rest from War Dt 12:10+, Josh 23:1+ Rest for soul Mt 11:28-30+ Wandering Forty Years Nu 32:13+ Victory over Physical Enemies Josh 11:23+, Josh 12:1, 2+ Victory over Spiritual Enemies Ro 6:17,18+, He 2:14, 15+, Ga 6:14+ Wilderness Death Nu 14:35+ Promised Land Josh 5:6NIV+ Promised Life Col 3:4+ Matthew 11:29 TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU AND LEARN FROM ME FOR I AM GENTLE AND HUMBLE IN HEART AND YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS: arate (2PAAM) ton zugon mou eph humas kai mathete (2PPAAM) ap' hemou, hoti praus eimi (1SPAI) kai tapeinos te kardia, kai heuresete (2PFAI) anapausin tais psuchais humon: Greek: arate (2PAAM) ton zugon mou eph humas kai mathete (2PPAAM) ap' hemou, hoti praus eimi (1SPAI) kai tapeinos te kardia, kai heuresete (2PFAI) anapausin tais psuchais humon; Amplified: Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. [Jer. 6:16] (Amplified Bible - Lockman)
Mateus 11
Ryle has a very interesting application of Jesus' answer to John's disciples - Our Lord’s reply to John’s disciples, contains a great practical lesson, which we shall do well to remember. It teaches us that the right way to test the value of Churches and ministers, is to examine the works they do for God, and the fruits they bring forth. Would we know whether a Church is true and trustworthy?—Would we know whether a minister is really called of God, and sound in the faith?—We must apply the old rule of Scripture, “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” As Christ would be known by His works and doctrine, so must true Churches of Christ, and true ministers of Christ. When the dead in sin are not quickened, and the blind are not restored to sight, and the poor have no glad tidings proclaimed to them, we may generally suspect that Christ’s presence is wanting. Where He is, He will be seen and heard. Where He is, there will not only be profession, forms, ceremonies, and a show of religion. There will be actual, visible work in hearts and lives. (Luke 7) James Butler - DOUBTS AND DISCOURAGEMENTS Matthew 11:4 “Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see” (Matthew 11:4). Our text is about the time of discouragement and doubt that hit John the Baptist and how the Lord responded. FIRST—THE VOICE OF GOD “Jesus answered.” When John got into the slough of despond, he did not go to the bottle or the needle as so many do today. Instead he went to the Lord. What do you do when trouble comes? Many criticize and blame the Lord, or get on the phone and lament to the person on the other phone, or go to the psycho-advisers who will fleece them of their money and time but not give good answers, or they jump off some bridge or cliff, which is nothing more than jumping from the frying pan into the fire. John went to Jesus. He sent a delegation of his disciples, for he was in prison and could not go himself. SECOND—THE VICTIM OF DOUBTS “Go and show John.” Great and good men are not exempt from repeated times of discouragement and doubts. It would be hard to find a better man than John the Baptist, but he still experienced the blues. And he experienced them repeatedly, for when Christ says to tell John “again” that implies that John had been in the pit of despondency before. Now all of this should be an encouragement to us. All of us are well acquainted with times of discouragement and doubts. We will all admit that everyday is not full of sunshine and every day does not see us lighthearted and up beat. And then we add to our blues by thinking that to experience the blues, we must be defective in our faith. It is not necessarily a sign of a defective faith and weakness to be discouraged at times. John the Baptist was not defective in character or weak in the faith yet in prison and had repeated attacks of discouragement and doubts. Satan would use these ‘down’ periods in our life to cause us to quit living for the Lord and to blame Him for our situation—John was in a prison which does not lend itself to encouraging thoughts. THIRD—THE VALUE OF REVIEW “Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see.” The key word here is “again.” Jesus did not give them new evidence, new experiences, or a new show. He simply said to show “again” what they had shown him before. Thus they were to review and go over the same matters they had spoken to John the Baptist before. This shows us the value and importance of review. We breathe again and again in order to stay alive. Spiritually we must ponder, study, and mediate upon the Word of God again and again. We must go to church again and again. We must pray again and again. All this repetitious activity is essential for the health of our faith. The best facts are of no use to us if we forget them. John the Baptist was to go over the same truths again and again. And if that was necessary for John the Baptist, how much more necessary is it for you and me! Matthew 11:5 the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT 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. NET Matthew 11:5 The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news proclaimed to them. GNT Matthew 11:5 τυφλοὶ ἀναβλέπουσιν καὶ χωλοὶ περιπατοῦσιν, λεπροὶ καθαρίζονται καὶ κωφοὶ ἀκούουσιν, καὶ νεκροὶ ἐγείρονται καὶ πτωχοὶ εὐαγγελίζονται· NLT Matthew 11:5 the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. KJV Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, 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. ESV Matthew 11:5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. NIV Matthew 11:5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. ASV Matthew 11:5 the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good tidings preached to them. CSB Matthew 11:5 the blind see, the lame walk, those with skin diseases are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news. NKJ Matthew 11:5 "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. NRS Matthew 11:5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. YLT Matthew 11:5 blind receive sight, and lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and deaf hear, dead are raised, and poor have good news proclaimed, NAB Matthew 11:5 the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. NJB Matthew 11:5 the blind see again, and the lame walk, those suffering from virulent skin-diseases are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life and the good news is proclaimed to the poor; GWN Matthew 11:5 Blind people see again, lame people are walking, those with skin diseases are made clean, deaf people hear again, dead people are brought back to life, and poor people hear the Good News. BBE Matthew 11:5 The blind see; those who were not able to, are walking; lepers are made clean; those who were without hearing, now have their ears open; the dead come to life again, and the poor have the good news given to them. blind - Mt 9:30 Ps 146:8 Isa 29:18 35:4-6 42:6,7 Lu 4:18 7:21,22 Joh 2:23 3:2 5:36 10:25,38 14:11,12 Ac 2:22 4:9,10 the lame - Mt 15:30,31 21:14 Ac 3:2-8 14:8-10 the lepers - Mt 8:1-4 10:8 2Ki 5:7,14 the deaf - Isa 43:8 Mk 7:37 9:25 the dead - Mt 9:24,25 Lu 7:14-16,22 Joh 11:43,44 the poor - Mt 5:3 Ps 22:26 72:12,13 Isa 61:1-3 66:2 Zec 11:7 Lu 4:18 Jas 2:5 Matthew 11 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 5:3+ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Luke 4:18+ “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE DOWNTRODDEN, Luke 6:20+ And turning His gaze on His disciples, He began to say, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Luke 7:22-23+ And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. 23 “And blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over Me.” Matthew 8:1-4+ And when He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. 2 And behold, a leper came to Him, and bowed down to Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 3 And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus *said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest, and present the offering that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.” Mark 7:37+ And they were utterly astonished, saying, "He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak." Isaiah 29:18 And on that day the deaf shall hear words of a book, And out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. Isaiah 35:5-6+ Then the eyes of the blind will be opened And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. 6 Then the lame will leap like a deer, And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness And streams in the Arabah. Steven
Mateus 11
Ryle - THE first point that demands our notice in this passage, is the tender care which Jesus takes of the characters of His faithful servants. He defends the reputation of John the Baptist, as soon as his messengers were departed. He saw that the people around him were apt to think lightly of John, partly because he was in prison, partly because of the inquiry which his disciples had just brought. He pleads the cause of His absent friend in warm and strong language. He bids His hearers dismiss from their minds their unworthy doubts and suspicions about this holy man. He tells them that John was no wavering and unstable character, a mere reed shaken by the wind. Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John - Keep the context in mind - Jesus is addressing the crowd after John the Baptist’s disciples have come to ask Him if He is truly the Messiah. Once they leave, Jesus turns to the people to affirm John’s ministry and character. Jesus wants to assure the crowd He was neither rebuking or repudiating John the Baptist with His previous remarks. Louis Barbieri proposes that "Perhaps some began to wonder about John's commitment to the Messiah in light of his question. So Jesus explained that John was not weak and vacillating. He was not a papyrus reed that could be shaken by every breeze that blew." (See Bible Knowledge Commentary - Page 44) What did you go out (exerchomai) into the wilderness (eremos) to see (theaomai)? A reed (kalamos) shaken (saleuo) by the wind (anemos)? - Jesus' rhetorical question expected a negative response. "To our Lord's question no answer was needed. John had rejected the overtures of the nationalists (John 1:19-21+), and had not feared to rebuke a king (Matthew 14:4+)." (Pulpit Commentary) A reed was a common plant along the Jordan River, thin, fragile, and easily bent by the slightest breeze. Jesus uses this vivid image to make a point. Jesus challenges the crowd to consider why they were drawn to John in the first place. Jesus begins by praising John negatively by giving questions to the crowd. Jesus says that John B is not like a reed waving in the breeze, not easily swayed, not spineless and not vacillating. John is anything but a pliable person! Although Jesus does not say it, clearly John B is more like a sturdy oak. John refused to cater to the crowd's approval, and thus he was not moved by the winds of approval or public opinion.
Mateus 11
Ryle - He tells them that John was no mere courtier and hanger-on about king’s palaces, though circumstances at the end of his ministry had brought him into connexion with king Herod. Soft (3120) malakos carries a rich range of meaning that moves from the physical realm into moral and spiritual characterization, and its force in Scripture depends heavily on that progression. At its most basic level, malakos means “soft” or “pliable to the touch.” In classical Greek and everyday usage, it described tangible objects—especially fine clothing of delicate texture. This is the sense used by Jesus in Matthew 11:8 and Luke 7:25, where “soft garments” distinguish those living in luxury from the rugged austerity of John the Baptist. The idea here is not moral failure, but refinement, delicacy, and comfort, things associated with wealth and ease rather than hardship. From that literal meaning developed a figurative extension applied to character. Just as something physically soft lacks firmness, so a person described as malakos came to signify one who is morally weak, lacking discipline, or given over to indulgence. Greek writers used the term broadly for those who were self-indulgent, pleasure-driven, or unwilling to endure hardship. In this sense, the word points to a life ruled by the senses rather than by virtue—what later writers describe as voluptuousness or addiction to fleshly desires. This moral weakening becomes even more specific in certain contexts, especially in Greco-Roman culture, where malakos was used of males who took a passive, feminized role in sexual relationships. In that cultural framework, the word described not merely outward mannerisms but a yielding of one’s body in a way considered contrary to nature and order, often associated with exploitation or moral degradation. Thus, it could denote what classical sources call a catamite—one who submits passively in a same-sex act. In 1 Corinthians 6:9+, the Apostle Paul uses the plural malakoi in a vice list describing those whose lives are characterized by unrepentant sin: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (malakoi), nor homosexuals…” Here, malakoi stands alongside ἀρσενοκοῖται (arsenokoitai), a term referring to the active participant in homosexual acts. Together, the pairing reflects both sides of such behavior as understood in that cultural and linguistic context. However, the meaning of malakoi should not be reduced narrowly to one act alone. Its broader moral sense still underlies Paul’s usage as a condition of moral softness, surrender to sensuality, and lack of self-control, expressed in this case in sexual behavior. Importantly, the word also carries a spiritual implication beyond the specific behavior. Scripture consistently calls believers to strength, steadfastness, and self-control “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7). In contrast, malakos represents the opposite disposition, a life that is easily swayed, governed by appetite, and unwilling to resist sin. It is not merely about external conduct but about an inner posture of yielding to the flesh rather than submitting to God (cf. Romans 6:12–13). In summary, malakos moves from physical softness → moral weakness → sensual indulgence → specific sexual passivity in a sinful context. In 1 Corinthians 6:9, it functions as a morally charged term describing those whose lives are marked by unrestrained, self-indulgent softness, particularly manifested in sexual sin, and stands as a warning that such patterns, when unrepented, are incompatible with inheriting the kingdom of God (cf. Galatians 5:19–21). Matthew 11:9 “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. NET Matthew 11:9 What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. GNT Matthew 11:9 ἀλλὰ τί ἐξήλθατε ἰδεῖν; προφήτην; ναὶ λέγω ὑμῖν, καὶ περισσότερον προφήτου. NLT Matthew 11:9 Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. KJV Matthew 11:9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. ESV Matthew 11:9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. NIV Matthew 11:9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ASV Matthew 11:9 But wherefore went ye out? to see a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. CSB Matthew 11:9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. NKJ Matthew 11:9 "But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. NRS Matthew 11:9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. YLT Matthew 11:9 'But what went ye out to see? -- a prophet? yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet, NAB Matthew 11:9 Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. NJB Matthew 11:9 Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: GWN Matthew 11:9 "Really, what did you go to see? A prophet? Let me tell you that he is far more than a prophet. BBE Matthew 11:9 But why did you go out? to see a prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. A prophet - Mt 11:13-14 Mt 14:5 Mt 17:12,13 21:24-26 Mk 9:11-13 Lu 1:15-17,76 Matthew 11 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 14:5+ Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet. JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS MORE THAN A PROPHET But (term of contrast) what did you go out to see? A prophet (prophetes)? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet (prophetes) - John was a prophet in the sense that he had been set apart by God to proclaim a specific word to the people. Keep in mind that Israel had been a "no prophet" country for almost 400 years so John B clearly aroused the people's attention so that multitudes went out in the wilderness to see (theaomai) this prophet. Like a true prophet John spoke to the multitudes with authority and with a call for repentance (Mt 3:2+, Mk 1:4+). He did not understand the color gray (i.e., saw either "black or whitle" with no middle ground) or straddling the fence.Why was John more than a prophet? For one thing, John was God’s special messenger, the Messiah’s forerunner (prodromos). While the other OT prophets (John B was still effectively an OT prophet) foretold "Messiah is coming," John was the one who said "Messiah is here." Another reason John was greater is found in Mt 11:11 where He himself fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. Trites has an interesting note that "By repeated use of a rhetorical question (“What did you go out [into the desert] to see?”....), Jesus challenged his hearers to face the serious moral and ethical issues posed by John as an authentic spokesman for God. (See Luke, Acts Cornerstone Biblical Commentary) John had confessed his Lord, and now his Lord confesses him. This is a rule with our King. C H Spurgeon Commentary on Mt 11:9-10 - John was all that the very greatest of the prophets had been; and he came nearer to Jesus than all the rest; his Master’s steps were close upon his heel. He shone like Milton’s star — “Fairest of stars, last in the train of night, If better thou belong’st not to the dawn.” He was almost a gospel-preacher, and failing to reach that point, he was chief among the prophets, yea, and more than a prophet. In the book of Malachi, the Lord God had promised to send a messenger before Messiah, and now the Messiah himself quotes the prophecy with a change of persons not to be understood save as we believe in the Trinity in Unity. He who is “Me ” is also “Thee ” according to the aspect in which he is regarded, or the person who speaks. John was the messenger of God to prepare the way of the Lord Jesus, and our Lord recognizes him in that honored capacity. Jesus is not ashamed of his herald because he is in prison, but the rather he speaks the more openly of him. John had confessed his Lord, and now his Lord confesses him. This is a rule with our King. Why was John more than a prophet? Several thoughts -- John was “more than a prophet” because in a sense he himself fulfilled prophecy (Mal 3:1+, Isa 40:3) while also testifying to its fulfillment in Jesus.Because he was sent to fulfill Malachi's prophecy. Malachi 3:1+ prophesied “Behold, I am going to send My messenger (JOHN THE BAPTIST), and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts." Isaiah 40:3 A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. John was not only a prophet but was the messenger who introduced Jesus and the Gospel era. John stood uniquely at the climax of redemptive history, serving as the final and greatest prophet of the Messiah. John’s role in God’s redemptive plan was utterly unique unlike that of the other OT prophets who predicted Messiah but did not personally introduce the Messiah (Jn 1:29, 36+). In other words, unlike the prophets of the Old Testament who foretold Christ from a distance, John the Baptist was chosen to actually behold Him, identify Him, and publicly present Him to Israel. John’s ministry marked the transition between the Old covenant and the New covenant. He stood at the threshold of the kingdom of God, announcing its arrival and calling Israel to repentance in preparation for the Messiah’s appearance (Mt 3:1–3+). He functioned as the divinely appointed bridge between promise and fulfillment, closing the era of prophetic anticipation while ushering in the reality of God’s kingdom in Jesus Christ (Lk 16:16+). In summary, John was more than a prophet not because he differed in message (the OT prophets repeatedly called Israel to "Repent!"), but because of his unparalleled role and privilege in directly introducing the long-awaited Messiah, standing at the threshold of prophecy becoming fulfillment. Matthew 11:10 “This is the one about whom it is written, ‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’ NET Matthew 11:10 This is the one about whom it is written: 'Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' GNT Matthew 11:10 οὗτός ἐστιν περὶ οὗ γέγραπται, Ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὸν ἄγγελόν μου πρὸ προσώπου σου, ὃς κατασκευάσει τὴν ὁδόν σου ἔμπροσθέν σου. NLT Matthew 11:10 John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, 'Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.' KJV Matthew 11:10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. ESV Matthew 11:10 This is he of whom it is written, "'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.' NIV Matthew 11:10 This is the one about whom it is written: " 'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' ASV Matthew 11:10 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way before thee. CSB Matthew 11:10 This is the one it is written about: Look, I am sending My messenger ahead of You; he will prepare Your way before You. NKJ Matthew 11:10 "For this is he of whom it is written:`Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.' NRS Matthew 11:10 This is the one about whom it is written, 'See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' YLT Matthew 11:10 for this is he of whom it hath been written, Lo, I do send My messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee. NAB Matthew 11:10 This is the one about whom it is written: 'Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.' NJB Matthew 11:10 he is the one of whom scripture says: Look, I am going to send my messenger in front of you to prepare your way before you. GWN Matthew 11:10 John is the one about whom Scripture says, 'I'm sending my messenger ahead of you to prepare the way in front of you.' BBE Matthew 11:10 This is he of whom it has been said, See, I send my servant before your face, who will make ready your way before you. Mt 3:3 Isa 40:3 Mal 3:1 4:5 Mk 1:2 Lu 7:26,27 Joh 1:23 Matthew 11 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 3:3+ For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, “THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT!’” Isaiah 40:3 A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. Malachi 3:1, 4+ “Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts. 4 “Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years. John 1:23+ He said, “I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” THE MESSENGER PREPARING FOR THE MESSIAH This is the one about whom it is written, ‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER (aggelos) AHEAD OF YOU (THE MESSIAH), WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY (hodos) BEFORE YOU - Who is the one? Obviously John the baptizer is the one to whom Matthew refers. Written (grapho) is in the perfect tense signifying a past completed action (Malachi wrote down what the Spirit moved him to write - see 2Pe 1:21+) at a point in time in the past with continuation in the present, the effects of that writing enduring to Matthew's day (and to our day and to the day of eternity because Jesus said "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away." - Mt 24:35). TECHNICAL NOTE - Notice NASB capitalizes texts to signify they are direct quotes from the Old Testament. No other versions have this helpful tool, another one of the reasons I still prefer the NASB, which is also the most literal of the Bible versions - see chart). Written is a keyword in the book of Matthew (Mt 2:5; Mt 4:4; Mt 4:6; Mt 4:7; Mt 4:10; Mt 11:10; Mt 21:13; Mt 26:24; Mt.26:31; Mt 27:37) which is directed to a Jewish audience who should be familiar with the OT and would recognize Matthew's uses of it is written as indicating the fulfillment of those OT prophecies. Use of fulfilled OT prophecies is a great way to evangelize Jews and Gentiles who have some familiarity with the OT. Paul used this mode of evangelism repeatedly in Acts as in Acts 17:3+ "explaining and giving evidence (FROM THE OT PROPHECIES - See Messianic Prophecy) that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” (cf Acts 9:22+, Acts 18:5+) In fact to the very end of his life Paul depended on the OT Scriptures to evangelize his people, Luke recording "And when they had set a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God, and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening." (Acts 28:23+). Paul presents a pattern we should all seek to follow as we speak the Gospel to the lost, a privilege which is greatly facilitated if we have memorized relevant Messianic passages from the Old and the New Testament (see value of Memorizing His Word). Written in the Gospel of Matthew Mt. 2:5; Mt. 4:4; Mt. 4:6; Mt. 4:7; Mt. 4:10; Mt. 11:10; Mt. 21:13; Mt. 26:24; Mt. 26:31; Mt. 27:37 I SEND (apostello) was the prophecy of John the Baptizer given by the Spirit to the prophet Malachi some 400 years earlier who wrote it down in Malachi 3:1+. Fulfilled prophecy was used by God's Spirit to save yours truly (see My Personal Testimony of God's Grace) and continues to undergird my faith in the authenticity of the Scriptures. Messenger is the Greek word aggelos which usually refers to supernatural beings (angels). In this case aggelos refers to John the Baptizer, a natural man with a supernatural message! Prepare is kataskeuazo signifying that John's function was to lay the groundwork for the coming Messiah, especially calling the people to "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven (aka, the King, Messiah) is at hand." (Mt 3:2+). Prepare means that the hearers of John are mentally and spiritually prepared "make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Lk 1:17+). John did his job! Sadly as John the apostle writes that the Messiah then "came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But (PRAISE GOD FOR THIS TERM OF CONTRAST) as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His Name (NAME ENCOMPASSES ALL OF HIS ATTRIBUTES, ALL HIS SALVIFIC WORK, ETC.), who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:11-13+) David
Mateus 11
Ryle adds that... There are few texts more striking than this in all the Bible—few that contain so wide and sweeping an invitation—few that hold out so full and comfortable a promise. (Come Unto Me) Indeed, as I began to compile the notes on this great passage, it became obvious to me that the simple words of Jesus were so profound that an entire book, even a library of books, could not exhaust their meaning. C H Spurgeon delivered at least 12 sermons on Mt 11:28-30 and yet said that one could not preach too often on these passages! Spurgeon also wrote that... there are mines of instruction here. Superficially read, this royal promise has cheered and encouraged tens of thousands, but there is a wealth in it which the diligent digger and miner shall alone discover. Its shallows are cool and refreshing for the lambs, but in its depths are pearls for which we hope to dive. And so the following comments are meant only to give you food for thought as you ponder these great words of our Savior. Let me strongly encourage you to treasure Jesus' words in Matthew 11:28-30 in your heart (Memorize His Word), so that you will be able to meditate on them (Meditation) and allow your Teacher the Holy Spirit to minister deeply to your soul. You will not be disappointed. THE GRAND INVITATION: COME! Come! The greatest invitation that ever issued from a Man's lips. "Come!" Come the first time to salvation (Justification). In the context of Jesus' preceding words in Matthew 11, this is the primary interpretation of His call to come... COME TO JESUS FOR SALVATION Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy written by Joseph Hart (Sung by Fernando Ortega & Amy Grant) (Sung by Todd Agnew) Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy Weak and wounded, sick and sore; Jesus ready stands to save you, Full of pity, love and power. Refrain I will arise and go to Jesus, He will embrace me in His arms; In the arms of my dear Savior, O there are ten thousand charms. Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome, God’s free bounty glorify; True belief and true repentance, Every grace that brings you nigh Refrain Come, ye weary, heavy laden, Lost and ruined by the fall; If you tarry till you’re better, You will never come at all. Refrain View Him prostrate in the garden; On the ground your Maker lies. On the bloody tree behold Him; Sinner, will this not suffice? Refrain Lo! th’ incarnate God ascended, Pleads the merit of His blood: Venture on Him, venture wholly, Let no other trust intrude. Refrain Let not conscience make you linger, Not of fitness fondly dream; All the fitness He requireth Is to feel your need of Him. Refrain While there must be this initial coming to Jesus for salvation rest, by way of application, there is yet a need for every saint to daily "Come" and allow the Spirit of Christ to grow us in grace and Christlikeness (2Pe 3:18+) (Sanctification see Three Tenses of Salvation). And then there will be a final invitation to "Come!" when Jesus invites us to come away to Him (if we pass away before He returns) or to come up to Him (if we are here to experience the Rapture - 1Th 4:17+) and be with Him forever and ever in the eternal rest of Paradise! (Glorification). "Therefore comfort (present imperative-command to continually encourage) one another with" Jesus' invitation to "Come!". (1Th 4:18+) I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (Vocal by Michael Card) I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto me and rest; Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon my breast.” I came to Jesus as I was, Weary and worn and sad; I found in Him a RESTING PLACE, And He has made me glad. -Horatius Bonar (Chorale version) 🙏 THOUGHT - Dear reader, at whatever stage of your life you find yourself, will you not hear the gracious invitation that falls from His perfect lips? Will you not come dear struggling sinner, trying to make yourself acceptable to the Holy God? Will you not come dear struggling saint, trying daily to earn your Father's approval, trying daily to defeat that besetting sin that only the Spirit of Christ can defeat as you learn to cooperate with Him (Ro 8:13+)? And dear saint, will you not live in the light of His final call to "Come !", allowing this firm anchor motivate a deep desire for daily purification (1Jn 3:3+) and growth in likeness to Christ, your Lord? And here is the great assurance that the One Who calls us to "Come" now will Himself come very soon, a coming for which we pray "Come Lord Jesus"... He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Revelation 22:20, 21 The End! Come - Not "do this" or "don't do that" but simply "Come". Note also that Jesus does not say come to the church, to a creed, to a clergyman, to a "denomination" or to anything but to Jesus Himself, to a vital, dynamic, radical relationship with the Living Lord. As Oswald Chambers says "Personal contact with Jesus alters everything." Do nothing else but come to Him, for He alone is the way, the truth, the life (Jn 14:6). There is salvation rest in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved (the first time and then every day thereafter!). (Acts 4:12) Jesus is the narrow gate, the narrow way that leads to the rest of eternal life (Mt 7:13, 14). Inherent in Jesus' call to come is that the hearer come now and not wait nor procrastinate - when you hear His invitation, that is the day of salvation (cp 2Cor 6:2). J C Ryle exhorts us "Beloved brethren, see that you refuse not Him who speaks to you this day. If a letter came to you from the ruler of this country you would not despise it. If you were sick, and advice came from a wise physician, you would not reject it. If you were in danger, and counsel came from your best and truest friend, you would not make light of it. Then hear the words that Jesus sends to you this day. Listen to the King of kings. Then body and soul shall be His. (Come Unto Me) Spurgeon as usual says it well "‘Come’; He drives none away; He calls them to Himself. His favorite word is ‘Come.’ (Ed: "Come" was the call to His first disciples - Mt 4:19YLT) Not, go to Moses – ‘Come unto me.’ To Jesus Himself we must come, (How?) by a personal trust. Not to doctrine, ordinance, nor ministry are we to come first; but to the personal Saviour. How do we come to Jesus? The most "generic answer" is by faith and trust in Jesus. Oswald Chambers adds that "The attitude of coming is that the will resolutely lets go of everything and deliberately commits all to Him." Adam
Mateus 11
Ryle - Rest is a pleasant thing, and a thing that all seek after. The merchant, the banker, the tradesman, the soldier, the lawyer, the farmer—all look forward to the day when they shall be able to rest. But how few can find rest in this world! How many pass their lives in seeking it, and never seem able to reach it! It seems very near sometimes, and they imagine it will soon be their own. Some new personal calamity happens, and they are as far off rest as ever. The whole world is full of restlessness and disappointment, weariness and emptiness. The very faces of worldly men let out the secret; their countenances give evidence that the Bible is true; they find no rest....But Jesus offers rest to all who will come to Him. "Come unto Me," he says, "and I will give you rest." He will give it. He will not SELL it, as the Pharisee supposes—so much rest and peace in return for so many good works. He gives it freely to every coming sinner, without money and without price....He will give you rest from guilt of sin....He will give you rest from fear of law....He will give you rest from fear of hell....He will give you rest from fear of the devil....He will give you rest from fear of death....He will give you rest in the storm of affliction. He will comfort you with comfort the world knows nothing of. He will cheer your heart, and sustain your fainting spirit. He will enable you to bear loss patiently, and to hold your peace in the day of trouble. Oh! this is rest indeed. I know well, brethren, that believers do not enjoy so much rest as they might. I know well that they "bring a bad report of the land," and live below their privileges. It is their unbelief; it is their indwelling sin. There was a well near Hagar—but she never saw it. There was safety for Peter on the water—but he did not look to Jesus, and was afraid. And just so it is with many believers: they give way to needless fear—are straitened in themselves. But still there is a real rest and peace in Christ for all who come to Him. The man that fled to the city of refuge was safe when once within the walls, though perhaps at first he hardly believed it; and so it is with the believer....Be advised, everyone of you who is now seeking rest in the world. Be advised, and come and seek rest in Christ. You have no home, no refuge, no hiding place, no portion. Sickness and death will soon be upon you—and you are unprepared. Be advised, and seek rest in Christ. There is enough in Him and to spare. Who has tried and did not find? A dying Welsh boy said, in broken English, "Jesus Christ is plenty for everybody." Know your privileges, all you who have come to Christ. You have something solid under foot and something firm under hand. You have a rest even now, and you shall have more abundantly...Let me speak to those who have come to Christ indeed. You are often cast down and disquieted within you. And why? Just because you do not abide in Christ and seek all rest and peace in Him. You wander from the fold: no wonder you return weary, footsore, and tired. Come again to the Lord Jesus and renew the covenant. Believe me, if you live to be as old as Methuselah, you will never get beyond this: a sinner saved by the grace of Christ. And think of the sinner's end. Rest in Christ—and so rest indeed! (Come Unto Me)
Mateus 11:28
Ryle - There are few texts more striking than this in all the Bible—few that contain so wide and sweeping an invitation—few that hold out so full and comfortable a promise. (Come Unto Me) Indeed, as I began to compile the notes on this great passage, it became obvious to me that the simple words of Jesus were so profound that an entire book, even a library of books, could not exhaust their meaning. C H Spurgeon delivered at least 12 sermons on Mt 11:28-30 and yet said that one could not preach too often on these passages! Spurgeon also wrote that... there are mines of instruction here. Superficially read, this royal promise has cheered and encouraged tens of thousands, but there is a wealth in it which the diligent digger and miner shall alone discover. Its shallows are cool and refreshing for the lambs, but in its depths are pearls for which we hope to dive. And so the following comments are meant only to give you food for thought as you ponder these great words of our Savior. Let me strongly encourage you to treasure Jesus' words in Matthew 11:28-30 in your heart (Memorize His Word), so that you will be able to meditate on them (Meditation) and allow your Teacher the Holy Spirit to minister deeply to your soul. You will not be disappointed. THE GRAND INVITATION: COME! Come! The greatest invitation that ever issued from a Man's lips. "Come!" Come the first time to salvation (Justification). In the context of Jesus' preceding words in Matthew 11, this is the primary interpretation of His call to come... COME TO JESUS FOR SALVATION Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy written by Joseph Hart (Sung by Fernando Ortega & Amy Grant) (Sung by Todd Agnew) Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy Weak and wounded, sick and sore; Jesus ready stands to save you, Full of pity, love and power. Refrain I will arise and go to Jesus, He will embrace me in His arms; In the arms of my dear Savior, O there are ten thousand charms. Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome, God’s free bounty glorify; True belief and true repentance, Every grace that brings you nigh Refrain Come, ye weary, heavy laden, Lost and ruined by the fall; If you tarry till you’re better, You will never come at all. Refrain View Him prostrate in the garden; On the ground your Maker lies. On the bloody tree behold Him; Sinner, will this not suffice? Refrain Lo! th’ incarnate God ascended, Pleads the merit of His blood: Venture on Him, venture wholly, Let no other trust intrude. Refrain Let not conscience make you linger, Not of fitness fondly dream; All the fitness He requireth Is to feel your need of Him. Refrain While there must be this initial coming to Jesus for salvation rest, by way of application, there is yet a need for every saint to daily "Come" and allow the Spirit of Christ to grow us in grace and Christlikeness (2Pe 3:18-note) (Sanctification see Three Tenses of Salvation). And then there will be a final invitation to "Come!" when Jesus invites us to come away to Him (if we pass away before He returns) or to come up to Him (if we are here to experience the Rapture - 1Th 4:17-note) and be with Him forever and ever in the eternal rest of Paradise! (Glorification). "Therefore comfort (present imperative-command to continually encourage) one another with" Jesus' invitation to "Come!". (1Th 4:18-note) I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto me and rest; Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon my breast.” I came to Jesus as I was, Weary and worn and sad; I found in Him a RESTING PLACE, And He has made me glad. -Horatius Bonar (Chorale version) Dear reader, at whatever stage of your life you find yourself, will you not hear the gracious invitation that falls from His perfect lips? Will you not come dear struggling sinner, trying to make yourself acceptable to the Holy God? Will you not come dear struggling saint, trying daily to earn your Father's approval, trying daily to defeat that besetting sin that only the Spirit of Christ can defeat as you learn to cooperate with Him (Ro 8:13-note)? And dear saint, will you not live in the light of His final call to "Come !", allowing this firm anchor motivate a deep desire for daily purification (1Jn 3:3-note) and growth in likeness to Christ, your Lord? And here is the great assurance that the One Who calls us to "Come" now will Himself come very soon, a coming for which we pray "Come Lord Jesus"... He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Revelation 22:20, 21 The End! Come - Not "do this" or "don't do that" but simply "Come". Note also that Jesus does not say come to the church, to a creed, to a clergyman, to a "denomination" or to anything but to Jesus Himself, to a vital, dynamic, radical relationship with the Living Lord. As Oswald Chambers says "Personal contact with Jesus alters everything." Do nothing else but come to Him, for He alone is the way, the truth, the life (Jn 14:6). There is salvation rest in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved (the first time and then every day thereafter!). (Acts 4:12) Jesus is the narrow gate, the narrow way that leads to the rest of eternal life (Mt 7:13, 14). Inherent in Jesus' call to come is that the hearer come now and not wait nor procrastinate - when you hear His invitation, that is the day of salvation (cp 2Cor 6:2). J C Ryle exhorts us "Beloved brethren, see that you refuse not Him who speaks to you this day. If a letter came to you from the ruler of this country you would not despise it. If you were sick, and advice came from a wise physician, you would not reject it. If you were in danger, and counsel came from your best and truest friend, you would not make light of it. Then hear the words that Jesus sends to you this day. Listen to the King of kings. Then body and soul shall be His. (Come Unto Me) Spurgeon as usual says it well "‘Come’; He drives none away; He calls them to Himself. His favorite word is ‘Come.’ (Ed: "Come" was the call to His first disciples - Mt 4:19YLT) Not, go to Moses – ‘Come unto me.’ To Jesus Himself we must come, (How?) by a personal trust. Not to doctrine, ordinance, nor ministry are we to come first; but to the personal Saviour. How do we come to Jesus? The most "generic answer" is by faith and trust in Jesus. Oswald Chambers adds that "The attitude of coming is that the will resolutely lets go of everything and deliberately commits all to Him." Adam
Mateus 11:28
Ryle asks... What is the invitation to the laboring and heavy laden? Jesus says, "come unto me." I love that word "Come." To me it seems full of grace, mercy and encouragement. "Come now," says the Lord in Isaiah, "and let us reason together: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow." Come is the word put in the mouth of the king's messenger in the parable of the guest-supper: "All is now ready; come unto the marriage." Come is the last word in the Bible to sinners. "The Spirit and the Bride say, Come." Jesus does not say, "Go and get ready." This is the word of the Pharisee and self-righteous. "Go and work out a righteousness. Do this and that and be saved." Jesus says, Come. Jesus does not say "Send."...Jesus says Come. Jesus does not say "Wait." This is the word of the enthusiast and the fanatic. "You can do nothing. You must not ask; you cannot pray; you must sit still." Cold comfort for troubled souls. Jesus says come. Come is a word of merciful invitation. It seems to say, "I want you to escape the wrath to come. I am not willing that any should perish. I have no pleasure in death. I would gladly have all men saved, and I offer all the water of life freely. So come to Me." Come is a word of gracious expectation. It seems to say, "I am here waiting for you. I sit on my mercy-seat expecting you to come. I wait to be gracious. I wait for more sinners to come in before I close the door. I want more names written down in the book of life before it is closed forever. So come to Me." Come is a word of kind encouragement. It seems to say, I have got treasures to bestow if you will only receive them. I have that to give which makes it worth while to come: a free pardon, a robe of righteousness, a new heart, a star of peace. So come to Me. Brethren, I ask you to hear these words and lay them to heart. I plead for my Master; I stand here an ambassador; I ask you to come and be reconciled to God. I ask you to come with all your sins, however many they may be. If you come to Him they will be taken away. I ask you to come as you are. You feel unfit; you say you are not good enough. The worse you think yourself, the better prepared you are. Christ is not a Savior of those who think they are righteous—but of sinners. I ask you to come now. No other time is your own. The opportunity past, the door will be shut, and yourself dead. Come now. Come to Christ. Ah! brethren, I fear that many of you will not take one saving step—will not come to Christ. You go on content with your own devices, like Balaam; like Felix, you never finally come to Christ. I warn you plainly that you may come to church, and come to the Lord's table, and come to the minister, and yet never be saved. The one thing needed is actual coming to the Savior, actual coming to the Fountain, actual washing in the blood of atonement. Except you do this, you will die in your sins. Gird up your loins like a man, and resolve that you will come. Do you feel vile and unworthy to come? Tell it to Jesus. Do you feel as if you know not what to say and do when you come? Tell it to Jesus. Tell Him you are all sin; tell Him you are all weakness; tell Him you feel as if you had no faith and no power, no grace and no strength, no goodness and no love—but come to Him, and commit your soul to His charge. Let nothing keep you back from Christ. Tell Him you have heard that He receives sinners; that you are such a one, and you want to be saved. Tell Him you have nothing to plead but His own word—but He said Come, and therefore you come to Him. (Come Unto Me) Octavius Winslow adds that... The life of faith is a constant coming to Jesus for daily, hourly, and fresh supplies. Let every circumstance and event, every trial, sorrow, and need, be an echo of the gracious life inspiring words: "Go to Jesus!" Go to Jesus, confessing sin. Go to Jesus, unveiling grief. Go to Jesus, telling need. Go to Jesus, breathing love, desire, and hope. You are still in the land of famine and of need. But your heavenly Father would remind you that He has anticipated and provided . . .for all your requirements, for all your history, for your daily demands, in Him whom whose fullness fills all in all. Take the hard heart, or the broken heart; take the cold heart, or the glowing heart; take your barrenness, or your fruitfulness; take the sunbeam of prosperity, or the cloud of adversity; take the joy, take the sorrow; take all to Jesus! Let Him participate in all, keep you in all, sympathize with all; for Jesus is your Brother, raised up to befriend, relieve, and preserve you in your time of need. J C Philpot asks... Are you ever weary . . .of the world, of sin, of self, of everything below the skies? If so, you want something to give you rest. You look to SELF—it is but shifting sand, tossed here and there with the restless tide, and ever casting up mire and dirt. No holding ground; no anchorage; no rest there. You look to OTHERS—you see what man is, even the very best of men in their best state—how fickle, how unstable, how changing and changeable; how weak even when willing to help; how more likely to add to, than relieve your distress; if desirous to sympathize with and comfort you in trouble and sorrow, how short his arm to help, how unsatisfactory his aid to relieve! You find no rest there. You lean upon the WORLD—it is but a broken reed which runs into your hand and pierces you. You find no rest there. So look where you will, there is no rest for the sole of your foot. John MacDuff addresses the question... "Oh, where can rest be found?" This is the cry of weary, care worn humanity. This is the cry embracing every nation and every climate, from the yearnings of heathendom to the longings and aspirations of the present hour. From the tumultuous sea of the world's unrest, this cry has gone up like a dirge of baffled souls, "Oh, where can rest be found?" "Come unto me," is the address of many siren voices, titillating tones of questionable or forbidden pleasure, leading only to . . .unrest, disquiet, heart weariness, life failure; tinted soap bubbles with a momentary iridescence, then collapsing. The existence of many is a pursuit after spurious and counterfeit rest, misnamed "happiness"; an aimless, vapid life of pleasure; engrossed with objects which bring with them no sense of satisfaction; a dull, weary round on the world's monotonous treadmill. Some strive to find rest through the gateway of ethical systems and philosophic tenets. Others, through the gateway of human merit. Others through . . .ceremonial observances, fasts and vigils, penances and pilgrimages, rites and ceremonies, creeds and dogmas. These, and such as these, are alike spurious and unavailing. "Oh, where can rest be found?" Matthew 11:28 is the answer, the only real answer! ><>><>><> LEARNING TO REST (Isaiah 30:15) - Many Christians are anxious and troubled. Although they are experiencing the "rest" of salvation that accompanies the forgiveness of sins and are looking forward to the eternal "rest" of heaven, their souls are still in turmoil. Fearful and doubting, they seem to be continually burdened by life's problems. A closer look at their anxiety can reveal the reason for their distress. Having never learned to rest in the Lord, they fail to experience the "quietness and confidence" (Isaiah 30:15) that comes to those who daily fellowship with Him through Bible study and prayer. An unknown author has penned a verse describing the problem: We mutter and sputter, we fume and we spurt; We mumble and grumble, our feelings get hurt; We can't understand things, our vision grows dim, When all that we need is communion with Him! Don't let yourself become a victim of fruitless fretting. If you do, you'll lose the peace and joy that is your rightful heritage. Instead, set aside part of each day to talk with God, thanking Him for who He is and what He has done for you. Then, by reading His word and believing His comforting promises, your faith will grow stronger and a supernatural peace will flood your soul. Jesus said, "Come to Me,...and I will give you rest" (Mt. 11:28). Have you learned to rest in Him? - Henry G. Bosch When we put our problems in God's hands, He puts His peace in our hearts. ><>><>><> A band of explorers in Africa hired some villagers to help them on their journey through the jungle. The group set out and pushed on relentlessly for several days. Finally the tribesmen sat down and would go no farther. When asked the reason, their leader answered, "We've been going too fast. We must pause and wait for our souls to catch up with our bodies!" Many Christians who have overextended themselves in a flurry of church activities or other worthwhile pursuits have experienced a similar feeling. Being so preoccupied with helping others, they suddenly feel as if they have left behind the most important part of themselves—their soul. They have lost intimate contact with the Lord. If our schedule leaves no time for rest and nurturing our spiritual life, we are just too busy! God does not ask us to be constantly on the go, rushing here and there. Sometimes He wants us to "rest a while" so that our souls can "catch up" and be refreshed for the challenges that lie ahead.—H. G. Bosch ><>><>><> REST BY THE FIRE - When guests at The Houstonian Hotel in Houston, Texas, enter the main lobby on a searingly hot summer day, they are often surprised to see flames dancing in a huge stone fireplace. If it's scorching outside and the air conditioning is humming away, why have a fire burning inside? Because people like to gather around a fire. The gas logs don't produce much heat, but there's something warm, inviting, and relaxing about the flickering light. It seems to say, "Pull up a chair, sit clown, and rest awhile." As I read the Bible, I often sense that weary, anxious people were drawn to Jesus Christ in much the same way that travelers today are drawn toward the fireplace in that Texas hotel. A Christian who loves Jesus is sometimes said to be "on fire for the Lord." What a great way to describe the warm, inviting presence of Christ that radiates from the lives of His children before the eyes of weary people in a troubled world! —D. C. M. ><>><>><> RESTING ON JESUS - A missionary in Africa experienced great difficulty in trying to translate the Gospel of John into the local dialect. He faced the problem of finding a word for believe. When he came to that particular word, he always had to leave a blank space. Then one day a runner came panting into the camp, having traveled a great distance with a very important message. After blurting out his story, he fell exhausted into a hammock nearby. He muttered a brief phrase that seemed to express both his great weariness and his contentment at finding such a delightful place of relaxation. The missionary, never having heard these words before, asked a bystander what the runner had said. "Oh, he is saying, `I'm at the end of myself, therefore I am resting all of my weight here!"' The missionary exclaimed, "Praise God! That is the very expression I need for the word believe!" ><>><>><> REST IN THE STORM - I heard about a submarine that was on patrol during wartime and had to remain submerged overnight. When it resurfaced the next day, a friend on another ship radioed the captain, "How did you fare in that terrible storm last night?" Surprised, the officer exclaimed, "What storm? We didn't know there was one!" Although the ocean's surface had been whipped into huge waves by high winds, the vessel was not affected because the waters below remained calm and tranquil. Someone once outlined the words of Isaiah 26:3 this way: You—a Precious God. Perfect peace—a Priceless Possession. Whose mind is stayed on You—a Present focus. Because he trusts in You—a Powerful faith. The believer who is confident of God's providence, who rests in His grace, and who relies on His Holy Spirit will experience the miracle of His quieting peace. —H. G. Bosch When we fix our mind on Jesus, He keeps our mind at rest. ><>><>><> From nature we can learn a lesson about the importance of rest. Built into the life of every tree are stages of dormancy. In his book As a Tree Grows, W Phillip Keller points out that in northern climates the dormant phase is in the winter, and in the tropical regions it is during the hot, dry season. "It is important to understand," says Keller, that dormancy is not death. A tree may appear to be dead, it is true. The leaves of deciduous trees will be all stripped off in the fall, leaving a stark skeleton. The tree is nevertheless very much alive—but at rest." He added that this dormancy is immediately followed by a period of active growth. The dormant phase is a rebuilding and reconditioning for the upsurge of vigorous activity ahead. Some Christians think that inactivity is a waste of time. They see the occasional lulls that come into life as being unproductive. But that is not necessarily the case. Notice what Christ did for His disciples after they had finished a strenuous period of evangelistic activity He led then into the wilderness to rest so they could be restored for further service. —D. C. Egner Time in Christ's service Requires time out for renewal. ><>><>><> RESTING ON THE BIBLE - Resting on the Bible: — In Newport church, in the Isle of Wight, lies buried the Princess Elizabeth (daughter of Charles the First). A marble monument, erected by our Queen Victoria, records in a touching way the manner of her death. She languished in Carisbrook Castle during the wars of the Commonwealth — a prisoner, alone, and separated from all the companions of her youth, tilt death set her free. She was found dead one day, with her head leaning on her Bible, and the Bible open at the words, Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. The monument in Newport church records this fact. It consists of a female figure reclining her head on a marble book, with our text engraven on the book. Think, my brethren, what a sermon in stone that monument preaches. Think what a stunning memorial it affords of the utter inability of rank and high birth to confer certain happiness. Think what a testimony it bears to the lesson before you this day — the mighty lesson that there is no true rest for any one excepting in Christ. -Happy will it be for your soul if that lesson is never forgotten. Here is an excerpt from the related Wikipedia article.... Following her death, her grave was largely unmarked until the 19th century, with the exception of her carved initials: E[lizabeth] S[tuart]. Queen Victoria, who made her favourite home at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, commanded that a suitable monument be erected to her memory. In 1856, a white marble sculpture by Queen Victoria's favorite sculptor Carlo Marochetti was commissioned for her grave that depicted Elizabeth as a beautiful young woman, lying with her cheek on a Bible open to words from Gospel of Matthew: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Above the sculpture is a grating, indicating that she was a prisoner, but the bars are broken to show that the prisoner has now escaped to "a greater rest." The plaque marking the sculpture reads: "To the memory of The Princess Elizabeth, daughter of King Charles I, who died at Carisbrooke Castle on September 8, 1630, and is interred beneath the chancel of this church, this monument is erected as a token of respect for her virtues and of sympathy for her misfortunes, by Victoria R., 1856." (Princess Elizabeth of England)
Mateus 11:28-30
Ryle adds that... There are few texts more striking than this in all the Bible—few that contain so wide and sweeping an invitation—few that hold out so full and comfortable a promise. (Come Unto Me) Indeed, as I began to compile the notes on this great passage, it became obvious to me that the simple words of Jesus were so profound that an entire book, even a library of books, could not exhaust their meaning. C H Spurgeon delivered at least 12 sermons on Mt 11:28-30 and yet said that one could not preach too often on these passages! Spurgeon also wrote that... there are mines of instruction here. Superficially read, this royal promise has cheered and encouraged tens of thousands, but there is a wealth in it which the diligent digger and miner shall alone discover. Its shallows are cool and refreshing for the lambs, but in its depths are pearls for which we hope to dive. And so the following comments are meant only to give you food for thought as you ponder these great words of our Savior. Let me strongly encourage you to treasure Jesus' words in Matthew 11:28-30 in your heart (Memorize His Word), so that you will be able to meditate on them (Meditation) and allow your Teacher the Holy Spirit to minister deeply to your soul. You will not be disappointed. THE GRAND INVITATION: COME! Come! The greatest invitation that ever issued from a Man's lips. "Come!" Come the first time to salvation (Justification). In the context of Jesus' preceding words in Matthew 11, this is the primary interpretation of His call to come... COME TO JESUS FOR SALVATION Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy written by Joseph Hart (Sung by Fernando Ortega & Amy Grant) (Sung by Todd Agnew) Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy Weak and wounded, sick and sore; Jesus ready stands to save you, Full of pity, love and power. Refrain I will arise and go to Jesus, He will embrace me in His arms; In the arms of my dear Savior, O there are ten thousand charms. Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome, God’s free bounty glorify; True belief and true repentance, Every grace that brings you nigh Refrain Come, ye weary, heavy laden, Lost and ruined by the fall; If you tarry till you’re better, You will never come at all. Refrain View Him prostrate in the garden; On the ground your Maker lies. On the bloody tree behold Him; Sinner, will this not suffice? Refrain Lo! th’ incarnate God ascended, Pleads the merit of His blood: Venture on Him, venture wholly, Let no other trust intrude. Refrain Let not conscience make you linger, Not of fitness fondly dream; All the fitness He requireth Is to feel your need of Him. Refrain While there must be this initial coming to Jesus for salvation rest, by way of application, there is yet a need for every saint to daily "Come" and allow the Spirit of Christ to grow us in grace and Christlikeness (2Pe 3:18-note) (Sanctification see Three Tenses of Salvation). And then there will be a final invitation to "Come!" when Jesus invites us to come away to Him (if we pass away before He returns) or to come up to Him (if we are here to experience the Rapture - 1Th 4:17-note) and be with Him forever and ever in the eternal rest of Paradise! (Glorification). "Therefore comfort (present imperative-command to continually encourage) one another with" Jesus' invitation to "Come!". (1Th 4:18-note) I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (Young Boy's Rendition) I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto me and rest; Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon my breast.” I came to Jesus as I was, Weary and worn and sad; I found in Him a RESTING PLACE, And He has made me glad. -Horatius Bonar (Chorale version) THOUGHT - Dear reader, at whatever stage of your life you find yourself, will you not hear the gracious invitation that falls from His perfect lips? Will you not come dear struggling sinner, trying to make yourself acceptable to the Holy God? Will you not come dear struggling saint, trying daily to earn your Father's approval, trying daily to defeat that besetting sin that only the Spirit of Christ can defeat as you learn to cooperate with Him (Ro 8:13-note)? And dear saint, will you not live in the light of His final call to "Come !", allowing this firm anchor motivate a deep desire for daily purification (1Jn 3:3-note) and growth in likeness to Christ, your Lord? And here is the great assurance that the One Who calls us to "Come" now will Himself come very soon, a coming for which we pray "Come Lord Jesus"... He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Revelation 22:20, 21 The End! Come - Not "do this" or "don't do that" but simply "Come". Note also that Jesus does not say come to the church, to a creed, to a clergyman, to a "denomination" or to anything but to Jesus Himself, to a vital, dynamic, radical relationship with the Living Lord. As Oswald Chambers says "Personal contact with Jesus alters everything." Do nothing else but come to Him, for He alone is the way, the truth, the life (Jn 14:6). There is salvation rest in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved (the first time and then every day thereafter!). (Acts 4:12) Jesus is the narrow gate, the narrow way that leads to the rest of eternal life (Mt 7:13, 14). Inherent in Jesus' call to come is that the hearer come now and not wait nor procrastinate - when you hear His invitation, that is the day of salvation (cp 2Cor 6:2). J C Ryle exhorts us "Beloved brethren, see that you refuse not Him who speaks to you this day. If a letter came to you from the ruler of this country you would not despise it. If you were sick, and advice came from a wise physician, you would not reject it. If you were in danger, and counsel came from your best and truest friend, you would not make light of it. Then hear the words that Jesus sends to you this day. Listen to the King of kings. Then body and soul shall be His. (Come Unto Me) Spurgeon as usual says it well "‘Come’; He drives none away; He calls them to Himself. His favorite word is ‘Come.’ (Ed: "Come" was the call to His first disciples - Mt 4:19YLT) Not, go to Moses – ‘Come unto me.’ To Jesus Himself we must come, (How?) by a personal trust. Not to doctrine, ordinance, nor ministry are we to come first; but to the personal Saviour. How do we come to Jesus? The most "generic answer" is by faith and trust in Jesus. Oswald Chambers adds that "The attitude of coming is that the will resolutely lets go of everything and deliberately commits all to Him." Adam
Mateus 11:28-30
Ryle asks... What is the invitation to the laboring and heavy laden? Jesus says, "come unto me." I love that word "Come." To me it seems full of grace, mercy and encouragement. "Come now," says the Lord in Isaiah, "and let us reason together: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow." Come is the word put in the mouth of the king's messenger in the parable of the guest-supper: "All is now ready; come unto the marriage." Come is the last word in the Bible to sinners. "The Spirit and the Bride say, Come." Jesus does not say, "Go and get ready." This is the word of the Pharisee and self-righteous. "Go and work out a righteousness. Do this and that and be saved." Jesus says, Come. Jesus does not say "Send."...Jesus says Come. Jesus does not say "Wait." This is the word of the enthusiast and the fanatic. "You can do nothing. You must not ask; you cannot pray; you must sit still." Cold comfort for troubled souls. Jesus says come. Come is a word of merciful invitation. It seems to say, "I want you to escape the wrath to come. I am not willing that any should perish. I have no pleasure in death. I would gladly have all men saved, and I offer all the water of life freely. So come to Me." Come is a word of gracious expectation. It seems to say, "I am here waiting for you. I sit on my mercy-seat expecting you to come. I wait to be gracious. I wait for more sinners to come in before I close the door. I want more names written down in the book of life before it is closed forever. So come to Me." Come is a word of kind encouragement. It seems to say, I have got treasures to bestow if you will only receive them. I have that to give which makes it worth while to come: a free pardon, a robe of righteousness, a new heart, a star of peace. So come to Me. Brethren, I ask you to hear these words and lay them to heart. I plead for my Master; I stand here an ambassador; I ask you to come and be reconciled to God. I ask you to come with all your sins, however many they may be. If you come to Him they will be taken away. I ask you to come as you are. You feel unfit; you say you are not good enough. The worse you think yourself, the better prepared you are. Christ is not a Savior of those who think they are righteous—but of sinners. I ask you to come now. No other time is your own. The opportunity past, the door will be shut, and yourself dead. Come now. Come to Christ. Ah! brethren, I fear that many of you will not take one saving step—will not come to Christ. You go on content with your own devices, like Balaam; like Felix, you never finally come to Christ. I warn you plainly that you may come to church, and come to the Lord's table, and come to the minister, and yet never be saved. The one thing needed is actual coming to the Savior, actual coming to the Fountain, actual washing in the blood of atonement. Except you do this, you will die in your sins. Gird up your loins like a man, and resolve that you will come. Do you feel vile and unworthy to come? Tell it to Jesus. Do you feel as if you know not what to say and do when you come? Tell it to Jesus. Tell Him you are all sin; tell Him you are all weakness; tell Him you feel as if you had no faith and no power, no grace and no strength, no goodness and no love—but come to Him, and commit your soul to His charge. Let nothing keep you back from Christ. Tell Him you have heard that He receives sinners; that you are such a one, and you want to be saved. Tell Him you have nothing to plead but His own word—but He said Come, and therefore you come to Him. (Come Unto Me) Octavius Winslow adds that... The life of faith is a constant coming to Jesus for daily, hourly, and fresh supplies. Let every circumstance and event, every trial, sorrow, and need, be an echo of the gracious life inspiring words: "Go to Jesus!" Go to Jesus, confessing sin. Go to Jesus, unveiling grief. Go to Jesus, telling need. Go to Jesus, breathing love, desire, and hope. You are still in the land of famine and of need. But your heavenly Father would remind you that He has anticipated and provided . . .for all your requirements, for all your history, for your daily demands, in Him whom whose fullness fills all in all. Take the hard heart, or the broken heart; take the cold heart, or the glowing heart; take your barrenness, or your fruitfulness; take the sunbeam of prosperity, or the cloud of adversity; take the joy, take the sorrow; take all to Jesus! Let Him participate in all, keep you in all, sympathize with all; for Jesus is your Brother, raised up to befriend, relieve, and preserve you in your time of need. J C Philpot asks... Are you ever weary . . .of the world, of sin, of self, of everything below the skies? If so, you want something to give you rest. You look to SELF—it is but shifting sand, tossed here and there with the restless tide, and ever casting up mire and dirt. No holding ground; no anchorage; no rest there. You look to OTHERS—you see what man is, even the very best of men in their best state—how fickle, how unstable, how changing and changeable; how weak even when willing to help; how more likely to add to, than relieve your distress; if desirous to sympathize with and comfort you in trouble and sorrow, how short his arm to help, how unsatisfactory his aid to relieve! You find no rest there. You lean upon the WORLD—it is but a broken reed which runs into your hand and pierces you. You find no rest there. So look where you will, there is no rest for the sole of your foot. John MacDuff addresses the question... "Oh, where can rest be found?" This is the cry of weary, care worn humanity. This is the cry embracing every nation and every climate, from the yearnings of heathendom to the longings and aspirations of the present hour. From the tumultuous sea of the world's unrest, this cry has gone up like a dirge of baffled souls, "Oh, where can rest be found?" "Come unto me," is the address of many siren voices, titillating tones of questionable or forbidden pleasure, leading only to . . .unrest, disquiet, heart weariness, life failure; tinted soap bubbles with a momentary iridescence, then collapsing. The existence of many is a pursuit after spurious and counterfeit rest, misnamed "happiness"; an aimless, vapid life of pleasure; engrossed with objects which bring with them no sense of satisfaction; a dull, weary round on the world's monotonous treadmill. Some strive to find rest through the gateway of ethical systems and philosophic tenets. Others, through the gateway of human merit. Others through . . .ceremonial observances, fasts and vigils, penances and pilgrimages, rites and ceremonies, creeds and dogmas. These, and such as these, are alike spurious and unavailing. "Oh, where can rest be found?" Matthew 11:28 is the answer, the only real answer! LEARNING TO REST (Isaiah 30:15) - Many Christians are anxious and troubled. Although they are experiencing the "rest" of salvation that accompanies the forgiveness of sins and are looking forward to the eternal "rest" of heaven, their souls are still in turmoil. Fearful and doubting, they seem to be continually burdened by life's problems. A closer look at their anxiety can reveal the reason for their distress. Having never learned to rest in the Lord, they fail to experience the "quietness and confidence" (Isaiah 30:15) that comes to those who daily fellowship with Him through Bible study and prayer. An unknown author has penned a verse describing the problem: We mutter and sputter, we fume and we spurt; We mumble and grumble, our feelings get hurt; We can't understand things, our vision grows dim, When all that we need is communion with Him! When we put our problems in God's hands, He puts His peace in our hearts. A band of explorers in Africa hired some villagers to help them on their journey through the jungle. The group set out and pushed on relentlessly for several days. Finally the tribesmen sat down and would go no farther. When asked the reason, their leader answered, "We've been going too fast. We must pause and wait for our souls to catch up with our bodies!" Many Christians who have overextended themselves in a flurry of church activities or other worthwhile pursuits have experienced a similar feeling. Being so preoccupied with helping others, they suddenly feel as if they have left behind the most important part of themselves—their soul. They have lost intimate contact with the Lord. REST BY THE FIRE - When guests at The Houstonian Hotel in Houston, Texas, enter the main lobby on a searingly hot summer day, they are often surprised to see flames dancing in a huge stone fireplace. If it's scorching outside and the air conditioning is humming away, why have a fire burning inside? Because people like to gather around a fire. The gas logs don't produce much heat, but there's something warm, inviting, and relaxing about the flickering light. It seems to say, "Pull up a chair, sit clown, and rest awhile." As I read the Bible, I often sense that weary, anxious people were drawn to Jesus Christ in much the same way that travelers today are drawn toward the fireplace in that Texas hotel. RESTING ON JESUS - A missionary in Africa experienced great difficulty in trying to translate the Gospel of John into the local dialect. He faced the problem of finding a word for believe. When he came to that particular word, he always had to leave a blank space. Then one day a runner came panting into the camp, having traveled a great distance with a very important message. After blurting out his story, he fell exhausted into a hammock nearby. He muttered a brief phrase that seemed to express both his great weariness and his contentment at finding such a delightful place of relaxation. The missionary, never having heard these words before, asked a bystander what the runner had said. "Oh, he is saying, `I'm at the end of myself, therefore I am resting all of my weight here!"' The missionary exclaimed, "Praise God! That is the very expression I need for the word believe!" REST IN THE STORM - I heard about a submarine that was on patrol during wartime and had to remain submerged overnight. When it resurfaced the next day, a friend on another ship radioed the captain, "How did you fare in that terrible storm last night?" Surprised, the officer exclaimed, "What storm? We didn't know there was one!" Although the ocean's surface had been whipped into huge waves by high winds, the vessel was not affected because the waters below remained calm and tranquil. Someone once outlined the words of Isaiah 26:3 this way: You—a Precious God. Perfect peace—a Priceless Possession. Whose mind is stayed on You—a Present focus. Because he trusts in You—a Powerful faith. When we fix our mind on Jesus, He keeps our mind at rest. From nature we can learn a lesson about the importance of rest. Built into the life of every tree are stages of dormancy. In his book As a Tree Grows, W Phillip Keller points out that in northern climates the dormant phase is in the winter, and in the tropical regions it is during the hot, dry season. "It is important to understand," says Keller, that dormancy is not death. A tree may appear to be dead, it is true. The leaves of deciduous trees will be all stripped off in the fall, leaving a stark skeleton. The tree is nevertheless very much alive—but at rest." He added that this dormancy is immediately followed by a period of active growth. The dormant phase is a rebuilding and reconditioning for the upsurge of vigorous activity ahead. Time in Christ's service Requires time out for renewal. RESTING ON THE BIBLE - Resting on the Bible: — In Newport church, in the Isle of Wight, lies buried the Princess Elizabeth (daughter of Charles the First). A marble monument, erected by our Queen Victoria, records in a touching way the manner of her death. She languished in Carisbrook Castle during the wars of the Commonwealth — a prisoner, alone, and separated from all the companions of her youth, tilt death set her free. She was found dead one day, with her head leaning on her Bible, and the Bible open at the words, Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. The monument in Newport church records this fact. It consists of a female figure reclining her head on a marble book, with our text engraven on the book. Think, my brethren, what a sermon in stone that monument preaches. Think what a stunning memorial it affords of the utter inability of rank and high birth to confer certain happiness. Think what a testimony it bears to the lesson before you this day — the mighty lesson that there is no true rest for any one excepting in Christ. -Happy will it be for your soul if that lesson is never forgotten. Here is an excerpt from the related Wikipedia article.... Following her death, her grave was largely unmarked until the 19th century, with the exception of her carved initials: E[lizabeth] S[tuart]. Queen Victoria, who made her favourite home at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, commanded that a suitable monument be erected to her memory. In 1856, a white marble sculpture by Queen Victoria's favorite sculptor Carlo Marochetti was commissioned for her grave that depicted Elizabeth as a beautiful young woman, lying with her cheek on a Bible open to words from Gospel of Matthew: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Above the sculpture is a grating, indicating that she was a prisoner, but the bars are broken to show that the prisoner has now escaped to "a greater rest." The plaque marking the sculpture reads: "To the memory of The Princess Elizabeth, daughter of King Charles I, who died at Carisbrooke Castle on September 8, 1630, and is interred beneath the chancel of this church, this monument is erected as a token of respect for her virtues and of sympathy for her misfortunes, by Victoria R., 1856." (Princess Elizabeth of England) Matthew 11:29 TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU AND LEARN FROM ME FOR I AM GENTLE AND HUMBLE IN HEART AND YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS: arate (2PAAM) ton zugon mou eph humas kai mathete (2PPAAM) ap' hemou, hoti praus eimi (1SPAI) kai tapeinos te kardia, kai heuresete (2PFAI) anapausin tais psuchais humon: ( My yoke: Mt 7:24, 17:5 Jn 13:17, 14:21-24, 15:10-14 1Co 9:21 2Co 10:5 1Th 4:2 2Th 1:8 Heb 5:9 Learn from Me: Mt 11:27, 28:20 Lk 6:46-48, 8:35, 10:39-42, Jn 13:15, Acts 3:22,23, 7:37, Eph 4:20,21 Php 2:5 1Jn 2:6 For I am gentle: Mt 12:19,20 21:5 Nu 12:3, Ps 131:1 Isa 42:1-4 Zec 9:9 Lk 9:51-56 2Co 10:1 Php 2:7,8 1Pe 2:21-23 You will find rest: Mt 11:28 Jer 6:16 Heb 4:3-11 Matthew 11 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Come...Take...Learn - Notice that there are three commands each calling for a choice to respond, to surrender to Jesus. Remember that surrender means to yield to the power, control, or possession of another, in this case the One Who is Himself Rest personified. We see a similar pattern in Romans 12:1, 2 where Paul calls for us to surrender our bodies to God as a living sacrifice, as a preparation for living out the Christian life as described in Romans 12-16. Bear not a single care thyself, One is too much for thee; The work is Mine, and Mine alone; Thy work—to rest in Me. (Chapter 1 Introduction in Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret) Take (142)(airo) literally describes lifting something up, taking up, raising, as taking up stones (Jn 8:59) or raising the anchor of a ship (Act 27:13). Airo can also mean to take up and place on oneself, to take up and bear or carry (compare Mt 4:6, Septuagint of Ps 91:12, my yoke - here in Mt 11:29, Lxx of Lam 3:27, a cross - figuratively in Mt16:24; literally in Mt 27:32). "We must come as disciples to learn, willing to be guided by His yoke - not merely to receive something." (Guzik) Adam Clarke writing on Jesus' command to take His yoke remarks that this is indeed a "Strange paradox! that a man already weary and overloaded must take a new weight upon him, in order to be eased and find rest! But this advice is similar to that saying, Ps 55:22. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain thee; i.e. trust thy soul and concerns to him, and he will carry both thyself and thy load. Jamieson - Matchless paradox, even among the paradoxically couched maxims in which our Lord delights! That rest which the soul experiences when once safe under Christ’s wing makes all yokes easy, all burdens light. Yoke (2218) (zugos/zygos related to verb zeúgnuni = to join especially by a yoke, to bind) literally described a beam of balance that connected scales (see translation as scales or balances in Rev 6:5;Lev 19:36; Hos 12:7). Zugos was properly a wooden bar over the neck of a pair of animals joining them to pull together. Figuratively a connector which unites two to move or work as one. Jesus uses this metaphor in Mt 11:29-30 because in that day a yoke was never for just one, but always joined two to work as one picturing believers living "in the yoke with Jesus," i.e. with Him and not just for Him! Gary Hill adds that "Christians are not mere "work-horses" for Jesus! Through salvation, they live with Christ in His spousal yoke of love (see Rev 19:7-9). Christ our heavenly Bridegroom joins Himself intimately to us so we – as His bride – can do all things in tandem with Him (cf. 1 Jn 4:17 with Rev 19:7-9). Jesus never asks us to work for Him – only with Him . . . and He always does all the work! Jesus' yoke is always manageable . . . because He is always in it!" In Acts 15:10 to put a yoke on the neck is an ancient idiom which means to restrict people which ironically stimulates over-doing (in another, misplaced area). Reflection: "Over-achieving for Christ" is as much a sin (missing the mark) as under-doing (compromising) – because both ending in God's disapproval (and much pain)! Eccl 7:16: "Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?" In sum, Christ's yoke operates so we can live in faith ("His in-birthed persuasion"). This includes the Lord speaking His rhēma word in the heart in each scene of life (cf. Mt 11:29,30 with Ro 10:17). In this way, we bear eternal fruit as His partner (very Bride!) – living with Christ which is far more than merely living for Him . . . or doing God's will, our way! "We must be willing, but the Lord does all the working; we prefer, but He performs!" (G. Archer) (CAVEAT: BUT NOT "LET GO, LET GOD" BUT "LET GOD AND LET'S GO!"). (The Discovery Bible) Jesus' command to take His yoke is a call to submission of our will to His good and acceptable and perfect will. It is a call to surrender our rights and all that we are to Jesus (compare Ro 12:1-note, Ro 12:2-note where Paul exhorts the saints to surrender themselves to God as living sacrifices). Just as the master would use the yoke to keep his oxen under control and to guide them to perform useful work, so too when we are yoked to Jesus, we are surrendering ourselves to His control and His guidance, so that He might lead us into the spiritual works that have been planned for us before the foundation of the world (see Eph 2:10-note). John Walvoord - In exhorting them to take His “yoke,” Jesus was inviting them to discipleship. A pupil enrolling for instruction under a teacher is considered as coming under a “yoke.” Instead of exchanging one burden for another, however, it is exchanging one which is onerous and crushing for one which is light and rewarding. There is an inner satisfaction and rest of soul in being a disciple of Christ which is unknown by the child of the world, who attempts to bear his own burden. (Matthew Commentary - The Growing Opposition to Jesus) A W
Mateus 11:28-30
Ryle - Rest is a pleasant thing, and a thing that all seek after. The merchant, the banker, the tradesman, the soldier, the lawyer, the farmer—all look forward to the day when they shall be able to rest. But how few can find rest in this world! How many pass their lives in seeking it, and never seem able to reach it! It seems very near sometimes, and they imagine it will soon be their own. Some new personal calamity happens, and they are as far off rest as ever. The whole world is full of restlessness and disappointment, weariness and emptiness. The very faces of worldly men let out the secret; their countenances give evidence that the Bible is true; they find no rest....But Jesus offers rest to all who will come to Him. "Come unto Me," he says, "and I will give you rest." He will give it. He will not SELL it, as the Pharisee supposes—so much rest and peace in return for so many good works. He gives it freely to every coming sinner, without money and without price....He will give you rest from guilt of sin....He will give you rest from fear of law....He will give you rest from fear of hell....He will give you rest from fear of the devil....He will give you rest from fear of death....He will give you rest in the storm of affliction. He will comfort you with comfort the world knows nothing of. He will cheer your heart, and sustain your fainting spirit. He will enable you to bear loss patiently, and to hold your peace in the day of trouble. Oh! this is rest indeed. I know well, brethren, that believers do not enjoy so much rest as they might. I know well that they "bring a bad report of the land," and live below their privileges. It is their unbelief; it is their indwelling sin. There was a well near Hagar—but she never saw it. There was safety for Peter on the water—but he did not look to Jesus, and was afraid. And just so it is with many believers: they give way to needless fear—are straitened in themselves. But still there is a real rest and peace in Christ for all who come to Him. The man that fled to the city of refuge was safe when once within the walls, though perhaps at first he hardly believed it; and so it is with the believer....Be advised, everyone of you who is now seeking rest in the world. Be advised, and come and seek rest in Christ. You have no home, no refuge, no hiding place, no portion. Sickness and death will soon be upon you—and you are unprepared. Be advised, and seek rest in Christ. There is enough in Him and to spare. Who has tried and did not find? A dying Welsh boy said, in broken English, "Jesus Christ is plenty for everybody." Know your privileges, all you who have come to Christ. You have something solid under foot and something firm under hand. You have a rest even now, and you shall have more abundantly...Let me speak to those who have come to Christ indeed. You are often cast down and disquieted within you. And why? Just because you do not abide in Christ and seek all rest and peace in Him. You wander from the fold: no wonder you return weary, footsore, and tired. Come again to the Lord Jesus and renew the covenant. Believe me, if you live to be as old as Methuselah, you will never get beyond this: a sinner saved by the grace of Christ. And think of the sinner's end. Rest in Christ—and so rest indeed! (Come Unto Me)
Mateus 11:29
Ryle - Rest is a pleasant thing, and a thing that all seek after. The merchant, the banker, the tradesman, the soldier, the lawyer, the farmer—all look forward to the day when they shall be able to rest. But how few can find rest in this world! How many pass their lives in seeking it, and never seem able to reach it! It seems very near sometimes, and they imagine it will soon be their own. Some new personal calamity happens, and they are as far off rest as ever. The whole world is full of restlessness and disappointment, weariness and emptiness. The very faces of worldly men let out the secret; their countenances give evidence that the Bible is true; they find no rest....But Jesus offers rest to all who will come to Him. "Come unto Me," he says, "and I will give you rest." He will give it. He will not SELL it, as the Pharisee supposes—so much rest and peace in return for so many good works. He gives it freely to every coming sinner, without money and without price....He will give you rest from guilt of sin....He will give you rest from fear of law....He will give you rest from fear of hell....He will give you rest from fear of the devil....He will give you rest from fear of death....He will give you rest in the storm of affliction. He will comfort you with comfort the world knows nothing of. He will cheer your heart, and sustain your fainting spirit. He will enable you to bear loss patiently, and to hold your peace in the day of trouble. Oh! this is rest indeed. I know well, brethren, that believers do not enjoy so much rest as they might. I know well that they "bring a bad report of the land," and live below their privileges. It is their unbelief; it is their indwelling sin. There was a well near Hagar—but she never saw it. There was safety for Peter on the water—but he did not look to Jesus, and was afraid. And just so it is with many believers: they give way to needless fear—are straitened in themselves. But still there is a real rest and peace in Christ for all who come to Him. The man that fled to the city of refuge was safe when once within the walls, though perhaps at first he hardly believed it; and so it is with the believer....Be advised, everyone of you who is now seeking rest in the world. Be advised, and come and seek rest in Christ. You have no home, no refuge, no hiding place, no portion. Sickness and death will soon be upon you—and you are unprepared. Be advised, and seek rest in Christ. There is enough in Him and to spare. Who has tried and did not find? A dying Welsh boy said, in broken English, "Jesus Christ is plenty for everybody." Know your privileges, all you who have come to Christ. You have something solid under foot and something firm under hand. You have a rest even now, and you shall have more abundantly...Let me speak to those who have come to Christ indeed. You are often cast down and disquieted within you. And why? Just because you do not abide in Christ and seek all rest and peace in Him. You wander from the fold: no wonder you return weary, footsore, and tired. Come again to the Lord Jesus and renew the covenant. Believe me, if you live to be as old as Methuselah, you will never get beyond this: a sinner saved by the grace of Christ. And think of the sinner's end. Rest in Christ—and so rest indeed! (Come Unto Me)