277. Exposition of Matthew 11:20-30

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 Transcript of Exposition on Matthew 11:20-30

 

Introduction

Last week we covered the first half of chapter eleven and the responses of John, Jesus and the Generation of People around them.  Now we turn to look at Jesus’ judgment of and invitation to all people.  Rejection of Jesus is one theme of these two chapters 11 and 12.

 

1.    Greater Light Means Greater Responsibility:  11:20-24

²⁰ Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. ²¹ “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. ²² But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. ²³ And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. ²⁴ But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

Jesus had denounced the generation he lived in for wanting John and Jesus to dance to their tune.  Now he gets even more specific in preaching against those towns he had lived in and preached to. Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum were larger towns on the banks of the Sea of Galilee.  Jesus had done miracles there.  He was met initially with enthusiasm, but that had not led to repentance.  He compares them to Tyre, Sidon and Sodom.  The amount of time spent, sermons preached, and miracles done increased their guilt in comparison with these other cities.  Even though John and Jesus had different “styles,” their message and expectation was the same:

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea ² and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”  Matthew 3:1-2

¹⁷ From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”  Matthew 4:17

 

Imagine being around Jesus for months and even years.  Seeing him raise from the dead and yet not changing your life.  He offered them forgiveness, but they refused his offer and felt no need to make a change.  Capernaum was Jesus’ home base.  The principle is clear, when you’ve received more light, you are more responsible and will be held accountable.  It’s been said that “Only the rejection of forgiveness is unforgivable.”

A number of us have grown up in Christian homes, been around church and church people for years.  We feel comfortable around Jesus and his people.  That doesn’t mean our lives have really changed.  If you take pride in your spiritual background, be aware that you will be held more responsible for the knowledge you carry. 

Example:  Negative and Positive

 

2.    The Humble Respond to Jesus:  11:25-27

²⁵ At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. ²⁶ Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

²⁷ “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

11:25-26  This section is very similar to Luke 10:21-22, which marks the return of the disciples from their limited commission.  “¹⁷ The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name...”²¹ At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.”

Jesus offers up a prayer to God.  This is the first prayer of his that is recorded. He addresses him as “Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth.”    Jesus points out that the religious leaders were missing their opportunity while the simple and poor were responding.  This is a common theme in the gospel.  God reverses the values and expectations of this world.  The wise can’t see the gospel, while the foolish respond to it.  Isaiah 29:14 says,

“Therefore once more I will astound these people
    with wonder upon wonder;
the wisdom of the wise will perish,
    the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.”

This points out God’s election.  God’s purpose and his will is at work in our lives.  He reveals himself to those who turn to him like little children, who are receptive and trusting.  Everything that happens on earth falls under the power of God’s will.  

11:27  Jesus reveals the nature of his relationship with his Father.  This is a Christological high point in this gospel.  No one really knows Jesus except his Father.  No one really knows the Father except his only son.  This term “know” is not intellectual knowledge but relational intimacy.  If you want real happiness in life, it comes from knowing God.  Not facts but having a relationship with him.   

Jesus, the gatekeeper

Jesus goes on to say that no one can know God the Father unless Jesus reveals the Father to that person.  This is similar to what he says in John 14:6, “⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  If you want to get to know God, you will have to go through Jesus.  There is no other way.  You can’t make a workaround Jesus.

 

3.    Jesus Calls All, Matthew 11:28-30

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Carrying a yoke of sin is burdensome.  Everyone carries a yoke.  What makes a difference is which master you are serving.  Guilt, shame, worry, anxiety, lack of peace, the chase for money, status and power.  Jesus calls us to exchange that yoke for his yoke.  The yoke he is talking about is probably a human yoke as opposed to an animal yoke.  The human yoke is designed to make carrying burdens easier.  He offers peace, forgiveness, love, joy and sonship.  His burden is light because of who he is, he is gentle and humble in heart.  The yoke of Jesus is a yoke built from love and kindness.  It takes gentleness and humility to take on Jesus’ yoke.  You are entering into a relationship with a God who is gentle, kind, humble and loving.

Jesus invites everyone to take his yoke on them.  You have to recognize your need and be willing to submit to his yoke.  You have to come to him, it takes effort on your part.  The prodigal son would never have restored his relationship with his father if he had stayed in his pig pen.  

He invites all, but few take him up on the offer.  “Many are invited but few are chosen.”  Matthew 22:14.  Jesus talks about this concept many times.  Jesus talks about how the sower scatters seed all over, but only a few soils are receptive and bear fruit.  Three of four of the different soils are not conducive to receiving God’s word.  God wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth, but every person has to have a heart that is receptive to his message.  It depends on your character, not your circumstances.