[:en]SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 11
“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30)
JESUS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST (vs. 1-19)
John the Baptist served God faithfully but was put in prison. He preached judgment and purging but Jesus ministered about mercy. Perplexed, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus: “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” (vs. 3).. Jesus replied: “Go back and repent to John what you hear and see” (v. 4). In other words, Jesus was assuring John that He was the Messiah that performs miracles.
Jesus recognized that John was the messenger who prepared the way before Him. He commended that “Among those born of women, there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist” (v. 11). John was a faithful servant who was willing to suffer for Him. John was the last of the Old Testament prophets.
WOE ON UNREPENTED CITITES (vs. 20-24)
Jesus mentioned about the unrepented cities – Korazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. He compared them against Tyre, Sidon and Sodom. He had performed many miracles in those cities yet they did not repent. Jesus condemned these cities and uttered words of judgment against them.
REST FOR THE WEARY (vs. 25-30)
Christ is inviting all those who are burdened to come to Him. He opens His door to all who believe in Him. And He will give them rest and peace. His yoke is easy because He does not demand the yoke of law.
SUMMARY:
Jesus assured John that He is the King with His healing ministries. He used His Word and miracles to encourage John. He recognized John as his forerunner and a faithful “well done” servant. Korazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum were cities that saw the mighty works of Jesus and His disciples. Yet they rejected Christ. Those who reject Christ will also face judgment. In closing, Jesus assured rest and peace to those weary and burdened. He offers a yoke that is easy in contrast to religion that requires adherence to man-made laws and traditions. Come to Jesus and find rest for your souls.[:]