Matthew 11:28 NKJV Come
to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest.
Matthew 11:28 WEL Come
to me, all who are exhausted and burdened, and I will give you rest.
This well known passage spoken
by the Lord Jesus is still wonderful in its meaning and applications.
Matthew 11:25-30 is a prayer
and message from the Lord Jesus.
Prayer
B1 He begins by praying.
Prayer is not that difficult activity that many people make it out to
be. Like my daughter states, “People have a way of making God’s
ways complicated.” Prayer is simply talking to God, our Father.
B2 In His prayer, He thanks
His Father that the Gospel is easy to understand. It is not
complicated that it needs specially gifted intellects and thinkers to
study, understand it, and then communicate it to us. It is easy
enough for children to understand.
B3 Next, He mentions how good
this is, which reminds me of God’s creation (before Adam’s sin)
was judged to be good (Genesis 1:31).
Message
B2 God initiates salvation.
B3 No one can know God, Father
or Son, unless God reveals it to all people (Romans 3:10-18 and John
16:8-10).
B4 It is simply impossible for
humans to seek or know God, unless God reveals Himself but opening
the heart and clearing the mind and understanding (Acts 16:14, John
1:9, and John 12:46, etc.).
Invitation
Come
C1 The word come
is imperative; it is emphatic. Often, the Bible speaks of obeying or
disobeying the Gospel. If we obey God’s, “Come,” we are wise,
but the disobedient are foolish. Compare Romans 10:16, 2
Thessalonians 1:8, and 1 Peter 4:17.
C2 God does not give an
invitation that is not genuine. He comes to seek and save the lost,
and all people are lost (Luke 19:10).
C3 The word for labor
(exhausted) is κοπιάω kopiáō Strong’s G2872. It means to
work until one is worn out, exhausted. This word, for instance, is
used by Peter in Luke 5:5 NIV Simon
answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t
caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
So, the burdened writer states in Psalm 38:4 WEB For
my iniquities have gone over my head. As a heavy burden, they are too
heavy for me.
C4 The word for heavy ladened
(burdened) is φορτίζω phortízō
Strong’s G5412. It means be weighed down, overloaded with a burden
too heavy to carry.
C5 The Holy Spirit opens our
soul to the heavy burden of sin. We feel guilty. Examples:
D1 Genesis 42:21 NASB Then
they said to one another, "Truly we are guilty concerning our
brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with
us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon
us.
D2 Psalm 51:2, 9 CSB
Completely wash away
my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. ... Turn your face away from my
sins and blot out all my guilt.
C6 The word for rest is
ἀναπαύω anapauō Strong’s G373 which means to lie down
and relax, to be at ease, to rest. The heavy burden is not being
carried any more. We cannot do this our self; it is the work of God
who can.
C7 It is rest that we long
for. If we come, he will give us rest. This is the rest from guilt.
Life still will be tough. The world does not like the Jesus of the
Bible. I read the other day that on the average 115 Christians die
every day for the faith, but they still have rest in their souls.
Take
C1 The word take
is also a command (imperative).
C2 God does not just forgive
us but gives us a responsibility, too.
C3 Our former Master and slave
owner is the devil. He is harsh and controlling. Beware of people and
pastors like that.
D1 John 8:44 NLT For
you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the
evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has
always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he
lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the
father of lies.
D2 The Lord Jesus came to
destroy the devil’s work. 1 John 3:8 NLT But
when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil,
who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to
destroy the works of the devil.
C4 A yoke is referring to the
yoke of animals to control and work. Instead of a heavy yoke and
unbearable work, the Lord Jesus offers us a light yoke and work that
we can bear.
D1 Luke 6:46 NLT So
why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I
say?
D2 John 14:15, 23-24 NLT If
you love me, obey my commandments. ... Jesus replied, "All who
love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will
come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn't love me
will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am
telling you is from the Father who sent me.
C5 Vincent (Vincent’s Word
Studies) comments:
...though it is
impossible to find an English word which combines them all. Christ's
yoke is wholesome, serviceable, kindly. “Christ's yoke is like
feathers to a bird; not loads, but helps to motion” (Jeremy
Taylor).
C6 Matthew Henry comments:
Here we may find
rest for our souls, and here only. Nor need we fear his yoke. His
commandments are holy, just, and good. It requires self-denial, and
exposes to difficulties, but this is abundantly repaid, even in this
world, by inward peace and joy. It is a yoke that is lined with love.
So powerful are the assistances he gives us, so suitable the
encouragements, and so strong the consolations to be found in the way
of duty, that we may truly say, it is a yoke of pleasantness. The way
of duty is the way of rest.
God bless!
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