Matthew 11

• Jesus didn’t quit (v1)
  • He sent the disciples but continued His ministry of teaching and proclaiming the Good News
• Jesus & John (v2-15)
  • John heard about the works of Christ but wanted to make sure He is the long awaited Messiah
  • Jesus doesn’t take offense at the question because it’s not meant to be offensive.
  • Jesus references the Old Testament to answer John (Psalm 118:26, Isaiah 35:5-10, Isaiah 61:1)
  • Jesus on John (v7-19)
    • People may not have had high hopes
    • More than a prophet
    • Messenger mentioned in Malachi 3:1
    • Greatest amongst those born of women but those who are least in the Kingdom of God are greater than John
    • John has done well to prepare the people for Jesus (v12)
    • Law and prophets before John prophesied but John plainly reveals Jesus as the Messiah (v13)
    • If you believe it, John is as important and as an anointed a prophet as Elijah (Malachi 4:5)
    • If you have ears, hear and believe!
    • Unbelieving generation that responds to nothing, didn’t want to believe either John or Jesus but their deeds vindicated them
• Jesus calls out the unrepentant (v20-24)
  • Jesus denounces those who reject His miracles
  • What is Jesus doing in your own life that you are rejecting?
  • Do you understand the price you pay for rejecting Jesus?
    • Sodom is better off on the day of judgement!
• Jesus invites everyone (v25-30)
  • Good News is foolishness to those who are wise and intelligent in their own eyes and in the eyes of the world
  • Jesus is received by those who consider themselves infants, as ones who know little and receive the Good News by faith, like infants who are utterly dependent on those who care for them.
  • Jesus is the ONLY way to know God the Father
  • v28-30
    • Jesus invites (Come to Me)
      • Open invitation, no conditions.
    • Who? (all who are weary and heavy-laden)
      • For those who admit they’re weary and burdened, not for those who can do everything on their own.
    • Why? (and I will give you rest.)
      • Jesus wants to give, not take.
    • What? (Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me)
      • Jesus gives us choice.
    • Why Jesus? (for I am gentle and humble in heart)
      • Jesus isn’t demanding, doesn’t proudly exert superiority to get results.
    • What’s gained? (YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS)
      • When we seriously take up His offer, we will find rest.
    • Is it hard? (For My yoke is easy and My burden is light)
      • Jesus doesn’t require us to follow laws and perform rituals or place a burden like other faith systems.

Questions to consider

• Have you accepted Jesus’s invitation or are you following rules and relying on your own performance to be acceptable to God?