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The Messengers from
John the Baptist
Matthew 11;16-19 and 25-30
Good News Translation (GNT)
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16 "Now, to what can I compare the people of
this day? They are like children sitting in the
marketplace. One group shouts to the other,
17 'We played wedding music for you, but you
wouldn't dance! We sang funeral songs, but
you wouldn't cry!'
18 When John came, he fasted and drank no
wine, and everyone said, 'He has a demon in
him!'
19 When the Son of Man came, he ate and drank,
and everyone said, 'Look at this man! He is a
glutton and wine drinker, a friend of tax
collectors and other outcasts!' God's wisdom,
however, is shown to be true by its results."
Come to Me and Rest
25 At that time Jesus said, "Father, Lord of
heaven and earth! I thank you because
you have shown to the unlearned what you
have hidden from the wise and learned.
26 Yes, Father, this was how you were
pleased to have it happen.
27 "My Father has given me all things.
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.
28 "Come to me, all of you who are tired from
carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn
from me, because I am gentle and humble in
spirit; and you will find rest.
30 For the yoke I will give you is easy, and
the load I will put on you is light."
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Copied from The Bible in One Year,
a free Bible commentary app
with readings by Nicky and Pippa Gumbel
from HTB in London.
The Messengers from John the Baptist and
Come to Me and Rest
Matthew 11.16-19 and 25-30
In the first section of today's passage Jesus seems to be saying, 'You can't win.'
On the one hand, John the Baptist was an ascetic
and was accused of being demon-possessed.
On the other hand, Jesus went to parties with all kinds of people
and made friends with those who were regarded as unsavoury characters.
He was accused of being a glutton and wine drinker,
a friend of tax collectors and other outcasts! (v.19).
Whatever you do may be misinterpreted.
Yet Jesus adds,
'God's wisdom, however, is shown to be true by its results'. (v.19).
I take this to mean that all we can do is the right thing
and not worry about what anybody else thinks.
'Opinion polls don't count for much, do they?
The proof of the pudding is in the eating'
(v.19, The Message version).
Imagine a room with an arched doorway.
The outside of the arch is inscribed with the words,
'Come to me, all you...' (v.28).
Everyone is invited into the room.
When you get into the room, on the inside of the same arch is written,
'No one knows the Father except the Son
and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him' (v.27b).
In other words, free will is a doctrine for everyone.
No one can say, 'I am not going to become a Christian because
I have not been chosen.' The invitation is to all.
On the other hand, predestination is a doctrine of assurance
for those who are Christians.
Once you have accepted the invitation and entered,
you can know that God has chosen you and therefore he will not let you go.
I love the fact that in a stressful world,
where so many are 'weary and burdened',
Jesus promises you rest.
He offers to take your burdens and replace them with his own.
The yoke (something that Jesus would have made in the carpenter's shop)
was a wooden frame joining two animals (usually oxen) at the neck,
enabling them to pull a plough or wagon together.
The function of the yoke is to make burdens easier to carry.
I love this image of walking in step with Jesus, sharing our burdens,
making the trials to be endured
and the battles to be faced 'easy' and 'light' by comparison.
Jesus is not a slave driver.
When you pursue his agenda for your life you carry a burden
but it is 'not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing,
but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant'
(v.30, Amplified Bible).
When you do what Jesus asks you to do
he gives you the strength and wisdom to do it
and you carry his burden with him.
There will, of course, be many challenges and difficulties,
but there will also be a lightness and ease.
Jesus says to you:
'Are you tired? Worn out?
Burned out on religion?
Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life.
I'll show you how to take a real rest.
Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly'
(vv.28-29, MSG).
Just relax and let God be God.
Lord, thank you that you promise me rest for my soul.
I come to you today. I give to you my burdens.
Other versions are available here
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