Matthew 11
The Lord Jesus sends His followers out to share His redeeming love with the world. His instructions contain both warning and promise.
We are to expect some of the same kind of misunderstanding and opposition He experienced but He assures us there will also be reward from our heavenly Father for those who prove faithful. In our Saviour we shall find rest.
‘Whoever finds his life will lose it’ says Jesus, ‘and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.’ What does He mean?
A person who makes worldly pleasure, ease and comfort their main goals in life will hardly want to repent of selfish ways and trust and follow Jesus and submit to carry a cross and so tragically they will forfeit the offer of eternal life.
On the other hand someone who seeks as their first priority to please God, even at the expense of misunderstanding and possibly even rejection from family and friends, this person will discover a true richness in life knowing and serving the Lord Jesus in the power of His Spirit. If we’re willing to share His sufferings we will also share His resurrection in the glorious age to come.
Even now there are rewards. The blessings of knowing we are redeemed, called by name, forgiven, saved, sealed, sanctified and generously provided for by Almighty God as His dear children.
Jesus says, ‘If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple I tell you the truth he will certainly not lose his reward.’
Jesus welcomed the faith of little children and taught that in some ways we adults need to be more trusting like them.
And here’s a word of encouragement to those who make the coffee or wash dishes, who might not be comfortable up at the front but gladly show concern and hospitality in church. It doesn’t go unnoticed in heaven! Nurturing, encouraging, providing for each other as children of God with acts of kindness, however small, is something valued and rewarded by God.
We share the message of Jesus for He gave Himself to save us, we serve others gladly even to the point of personal sacrifice and He blesses our labour, making it fruitful for His kingdom.
But before we come to the famous promise of rest at the end of ch11 we must witness some sad words of Jesus.
Matthew has been recording Jesus’ words of invitation in the Sermon on the Mount – the time is at hand, the King is here, the kingdom of heaven is open, there is blessing for the ‘poor in spirit’ who mourn over their sin, turn from it and trust in the Messiah. And these words of grace have been accompanied by many dramatic miracles, lepers and disabled people, the blind and demon possessed healed and set free.
Crowds are turning out to watch, but few are turning away from sin. They’ll accept healing and free food. They’d love it if this clearly gifted preacher would somehow restore their national independence but as to a genuine, personal change of heart and lifestyle? No thanks.
With sorrow Jesus tells His countrymen, listen, if I’d brought this message and these miracles to our non-jewish neighbours over in Tyre and Sidon they would have gladly humbled themselves and welcomed salvation. But you, with your religious background, your little bit of scriptural knowledge, you who think you already know God – you’re too proud to admit you need saving! So, after witnessing all this, your refusal to change is taking you down the broad road to judgement and destruction!
There will be a day of final, decisive judgement. Those who have repented and believed in the Lord Jesus will be declared saved and inherit life eternal.
Those who haven’t, won’t.
So listen to these amazing words of invitation from the Saviour of the world:
Are you tired of this broken, cruel world, do you long for better? Are you weary of your own persistent failure and the sin polluting your heart and mind daily? Are you tired of a religion that is merely outward, that feeds your ego but not your soul? Do you hunger and thirst to be a better person, pleasing God, reconciled to God, loving Him Who first loved you?
Then come to me, trust in me, follow me. It’s not that hard. I’ll show you and I’ll help you. And you will find rest, even in the middle of all the present confusion and anxiety.
I will give you rest, my rest, the peace of knowing you’re forgiven, you belong. That with me, you’re home, and always will be.
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