Thesis: To impress upon the hearer of their need for Christ, and the yoke which He offers, teaching them why a yoke is necessary.
Text: Matt 11:25-30
Mat 11:25 At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children (infants; babes);
Mat 11:26 yes, Father, for such was (well pleasing in your sight) your gracious will.
Mat 11:27 All things have been handed (delivered) over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Mat 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Introduction,
In this context, the Lord had just sent the twelve apostles on what is known as the limited commission, they were to learn to teach and preach on their own without Christ being present.
Beginning in this chapter the Lord Himself went on a preaching trip throughout the towns in Galilee, which is in northern Palestine.
Then in verses 20-24 He begins to declare judgment upon the towns where He preached, and confirmed His preaching with miracles, yet, they repented not, nor did they believe that He was the Messiah.
He states, that in the Day of Judgment, Sodom (i.e. the sodomites therein; who were and are an abomination to God; Lev 18:22; Mal 3:6) would receive a lesser degree of punishment, than they who rejected the gospel (2 Thess 1:7-9).
2Th 1:7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels
2Th 1:8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
2Th 1:9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
When you think about all the working of God, throughout the ages, was for but one reason, His eternal purpose, the redemption of mankind, and these individuals just gave it a wave of the hand, even in the presence of true Biblical miracles performed by God’s own Son.
In this time of our Lord’s distress, because of the people’s unbelief (for the Lord wants all to be saved; 1 Tim 2:4), He turns to the Father, this is where we will enter this account.
(We will divide this lesson into 3 sections)
1) The revealing of the Gospel of Christ (v 25-26).
2) The authority of the Gospel of Christ (v 27).
3) The yoke of the Gospel Christ (28-30).
I. THE REVEALING OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST (v 25-26)
A. (v 25)
Mat 11:25 At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children (infants; babes);
1. The “wise and understanding” in this verse looks back at those in the cities where Jesus taught and preached who did not believe, therefore were not convicted by the Holy Spirit (Jn 16:8), thus they did not repent, we can reasonably conclude that most, if not all of the religious leaders were included in this group, and the majority of the people.
Many of the higher educated today are prone to arrogance; many reject the existence of God, the deity of Christ, miracles, and the inspiration of the Scriptures.
The Bible is so far beneath their academic accomplishments, they will not even entertain the possibility that it could be right!
Why? Because the person who is full of sin, deceit, pretense, and pride, has the gospel hidden from him by his own corrupted mindset, in this manner, the god of this world (Satan) has blinded them, and Jehovah God has allowed it to be hidden it from them, as it is written (2 Cor 4:3-4) . . .
2Co 4:3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that are perishing:
2Co 4:4 in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them.
2. And the Jews, the God followers, that rejected Jesus, we can conclude that they just couldn’t believe that everyone else could be wrong, Jesus’ teachings are hard, what He says can’t be the truth, what about Moses, and freedom from Roman rule, and the promised land, we need a military leader, not a man that tells us to repent, submit, and trust in God, yet, it is written (Col 3:1-4) . . .
Col 3:1 If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.
Col 3:3 For you died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall you also with him be manifested in glory.
a. What about today? Many who claim to believe in God and follow Jesus follow after the flesh, fulfilling the lusts of the flesh, actually claiming that sexual abominations are approved of God! (e.g. homosexuality, lesbianism, promiscuity, adultery, etc.).
b. Even though the bible teaches directly against such things, many have twisted the scriptures to their and other’s destruction, and the wrath of God has been awakened because of these liars, because they have made the Gospel of little or no effect in their lives and the lives of others, instead of being holy as God is holy (1 Pet 1:15-16), they are lust-filled, abomination-practicing, sensuality promoting devils, and if they don’t repent and turn, their lot will be the lake of fire.
3. On the other hand, those that received Jesus’ teachings are referred to as “babes” “infants” “little children”
a. They are those simple, honest, sincere individuals, who heard the Truth, believed it, and were convicted by the Spirit of God through the precepts of the gospel (Jn 16:8), in this manner God revealed it to them.
b. This is “receiving with meekness, the implanted word, that sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17), which is able to save your souls” (Ja 1:21), and we must do the same if we expect to inherit eternal life.
Jam 1:21 Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
D. (v 26)
Mat 11:26 yes, Father, for such was (well pleasing in your sight) your gracious will.
1. It has never been God’s plan that individuals of their own wisdom, by their own power, should arrive at the knowledge of God’s will, this is only possible through one being born again, born from above, born of the water and the Spirit (Jn 3:3-5), the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit (Tit 3:5), which in its simplest terms means to believe whole-heartedly in the gospel and be baptized (Mk 16:16).
a. God’s plan, God’s way, it is purposed by God that people follow God willingly (by faith), and lovingly (from the heart), on the terms that He, God, has set forth.
b. Yet many today have changed God’s plan, God’s way, and His terms for salvation.
c. They attempt to draw people through things of the world, aborting babies for the god of self is ok, practicing sodomites are ok, practicing lesbians are ok, practicing adulterers are ok, money-lovers are ok ; while the Lord said, that “HE”, hanging on that cruel cross of Calvary, would draw “all people” unto Him, not these worldly, sensual, devilish things (John 12:32-33),
Joh 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
Joh 12:33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.
d. the term “all people” does not leave “any people” left to be drawn by the wisdom of men, or the lusts of the world (look at 1 Cor 1:18-21).
1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that are perishing, foolishness; but unto us which are being saved, it is the power of God.
1Co 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
1Co 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
1Co 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
c. God sent His son to die for me and you, that we also might die to sin and self and live in holiness unto God (Rom 6:1-10), but for the unregenerated individual (one not born again) this seems like foolishness, and that is where the wisdom of men comes in.
d. Since they are not born from above, those things don’t draw them, they are from this world and they love this world, therefore the churches of men use these worldly things, but that defeats the whole purpose of the gospel, God, through Jesus and the Spirit are attempting to realign our thinking, to be like Them, to think like Them, in order that we would want to be with Them, and not here on earth.
2. Also others attempt to draw a line around their buildings, doing one thing, acting one way therein, and when they enter into the world, they blend in perfectly with those without God and without hope (Eph 2:12), this is the epidemy of hypocrisy, and is severely condemned by our Lord (Mt 15:7-8).
Mat 15:7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:
Mat 15:8 "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;
We, His people must be “in” the world while being SEPERATE from the ways “of” the world, this is God’s will concerning the matter, as it is written (2 Cor 6:17-18; Mt 5:13-16) . . .
2Co 6:17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
2Co 6:18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."
Mat 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Mat 5:15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
Mat 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
We must be a holy, set-apart people, totally devoted unto God and His will in all facets of our lives (Heb 12:14; 1 Pet 1:15-16; 2 Cor 7:1).
1Pe 1:15 But because the God who called you is holy you must be holy in every aspect of your life.
1Pe 1:16 Scripture says, "Be holy, because I am holy." (GW)
Heb 12:14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
2Co 7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
We must live in the world doing good works in the name of Christ, shining as lights in a sin darkened world (Mt 5:16); holding forth the word of life (Phili 2:16), in order that some might hear, believe and obey, but we must not be “of it”, for it is written (Ja 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17) . . .
Jas 4:4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
1Jn 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires (lusts) of the flesh and the desires (lusts) of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world is passing away along with its desires (lusts), but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
This is “the gospel revealed,” these types of truths were too hard for many in Jesus’ day, they are too hard for many today, are they too hard for you?
I hope and pray not, for without belief in and adherence to them through God working in you (Col 2:13), a person cannot be saved, because it is in this very mindset that God does save us, this is the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16), Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col 1:27).
II. THE AUTHORITY OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST (v 27)
A. (v 27a)
Mat 11:27a All things have been handed (delivered) over to me by my Father,
It is the will of the Father that Christ, acting as the Father’s Firstborn (the eldest son) over creation (Col 1:15), exercises the rule over all things (Matt 28:18) . . .
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
1. In this context, no doubt some of the religious leaders asserted He was in error, they would follow Jehovah according to the Law of Moses, as they interpreted it, it was “their interpretation.”
a. We hear the same thing today, “that’s just your interpretation” as if God’s word is just sitting there, for any one to make whatever they want out of it, that it can’t be understood uniformly, thus one interpretation is a good as another.
b. Well, that’s just not the case, God’s word is not a matter of opinion, there is but one truth that will make you free (John 8:32; 17:17), one faith system (Eph 4:5), one Gospel, with its facts to believe, promises to receive, commands to obey, and warnings to heed (Gal 1:6-7), and it can be understood when read (Eph 3:4), and on the more difficult matters of God, those that twist the scriptures therein, do so to their own destruction (2 Pet 3:16).
2Pe 3:16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures
c. While it is true that God teaches us individually differing lessons from differing scriptures coupled with our own lives (Jn 6:45), but the facts are the facts; things such as murder, sodomy, adultery, promiscuity, thievery, money loving, drunkenness and such like, are all wrong in the sight of God, and those that practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:9-11; Gal 5:22-23).
1Co 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
1Co 6:10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
1Co 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Gal 5:19 Now the actions (works) of the flesh are obvious (these): sexual immorality, impurity, promiscuity (sensuality),
Gal 5:20 idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, rivalry, jealously, outbursts of anger, quarrels, conflicts, factions,
Gal 5:21 envy, murder, drunkenness, wild partying, and things like that. I am telling you now, as I have told you in the past, that people who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (ISV).
These standards set forth here are part of the authority exercised by Jesus through the Gospel, individuals attempt to twist the scriptures saying that people who practice these things and things similar to these (without fighting against them as sin) are OK in the sight of God, but Christ said He came to bring sinners to repentance, to change (Lk 5:32), not to leave them like they are, those who say differently are apostates, and are part of the falling away (2 Thess 2:3).
B. (v 27b)
Mat 11:27b and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
1. The Jews of that day had to believe Jesus was the Christ, the Seed of David, Whose throne would be established forever (2 Sam 7:12-13), the only way to God (Jn 14:6), or they were doomed, Jesus said (John 8:24) . . .
Joh 8:24 For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins. (LITV)
Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
a. We also must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Divine Son of God, the only way to God, and we must manifest an active faith based on that conclusion, by our love prompted obedience (Jn 14:15), and we should be obeying Jesus in all things (Mt 28:20a), not just that which we pick and choose (Acts 3:22b-23).
Mat 28:20a teaching them to observe (obey; NIV) all things whatsoever I commanded you
Act 3:22b To him shall you hearken in all things whatsoever he shall speak unto you.
Act 3:23 And it shall be, that every soul that shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.
b. Now that is not to say that God won’t show you a truth, and give you some time for it to sink in, and ultimately lead you to obey it, even if you have to struggle to do so, that is God’s grace, for there is law, but He hasn’t put it over your head to crush you (Rom 6:14), rather He wants it written upon your heart (Heb 8:10).
Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
c. These Jews did not believe that “all things” were delivered to Jesus, that He was to be the centerpiece of the New Covenant (Jer 31:31-34), thus they did not truly know the Son, God did not put this truth in their hearts, as He did to Peter in Mt 16:13-18 (turn there) . . .
Mat 16:13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
Mat 16:14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
Mat 16:15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Mat 16:16 Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
Mat 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of (hades) hell shall not prevail against it.
d. We always look at Mt 16 and Peter’s confession of Christ, but he was not the first, let us look at Jn 1:43-51 . . .
Joh 1:43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me."
Joh 1:44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
Joh 1:45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
Joh 1:46 Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."
Joh 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!"
Joh 1:48 Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."
Joh 1:49 Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"
Joh 1:50 Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these."
Joh 1:51 And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
e. Back to our context (Mt 11:27), these others did not know who Christ was nor did they know the Father either, because they did not manifest the obedience of faith (Rom 1:5; 16:26) that would have proved it (1 Jn 2:3-5; 2 Jn 9; Jn 17:3) . . .
1Jn 2:3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
1Jn 2:4 Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
1Jn 2:5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:
2Jn 1:9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
Joh 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
f. They should have been listening, believing, learning, and obeying our Lord based on their love for the Father and Him (Jn 14:15; Rom 5:5), then they would have known Him, this is how Christ revealed the Father to them (John 1:18).
Joh 1:18 No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
2. Today it is through God’s “special revelation” God’s word, the Bible, that Christ and the Father are revealed today, the Father gave the Son His words (John 12:49), He in turn gave them to the apostles and NT prophets (John 17:8, 14; Gal 1:12), this is that sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17) and they are the very words, the commands of God (1 Cor 14:37-38; 1 Thess 2:13).
1Co 14:37 If any man thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.
1Co 14:38 But if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
1Th 2:13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
a. We can know that there is a God by looking at His handiwork, creation, the design inherent therein demands a Designer, this is known as “general revelation” (Ps 19:1),
Psa 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows his handiwork.
b. Therefore it is the fool that says “there is no God” (Ps 14:1).
c. And we can know “generally” what is sin, and what is not, God has put this in our hearts (Rom 2:14), just like He put the knowledge of eternity in our hearts (Eccl 3:11).
d. But we cannot know the Father, His Son, His Spirit, His plan of salvation, the church, which is the kingdom (Mt 16:18-19; Heb 12:23, 28), its organization, its work, its worship, facts about the Judgment, Hades, Heaven, Hell, and a host of other things, unless He reveals it unto us.
e. Which He did, in His word, that sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17), which gives us everything needed to be complete in God’s eyes (2 Tim 3:16-17), it contains all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3).
2Ti 3:16 Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.
2Pe 1:3 seeing that his divine power has granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue;
f. Christ chose certain men, revealed Himself to them after His resurrection, empowered them, miraculously revealed to them “all things” (Jn 14:26), “all the truth” (Jn 16:13), and they wrote it down in a manner, that when we read, we “can” understand (Eph 3:4), believe (n 20:31),and obey (Rom 8:7) that one Truth (Jn 17:17), from the heart, unto eternal life (Rom 6:17), despite what we hear from many today who attempt to bring reproach upon God’s word (Rom 3:4).
Rom 3:4 . . . yea, let God be found true, but every man a liar . . .
g. If any so called truth, was revealed to anyone else, at any other time, contrary to what we have, it is merely the musings of men, and could cost one his eternal soul (spirit) if followed (Rom 8:33b; Pro 14:12).
Rom 8:33b It is God that justifies;
Pro 14:12 There is a way which seems right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death.
h. But “the authority of Christ is manifested in His gospel,” and He chooses to reveal its truths to individuals of a certain mindset, a certain type of heart, the good and honest heart, as seen in the parable of the sower (Lk 8:15), this is equal to the little children, babes, infants of this context (Mt 11:25), that is why Christians are referred to as “CHILDREN of God” (1 Jn 3:1)
1Jn 3:1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
i. Today Satan wants to wreck people’s hearts through the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes and the pride of life (1 Jn 2:16), so when the Gospel message hits it, it will be of none affect, that is why we need to be careful what we expose ourselves to, our media had been putrefied by Satan abundantly, and we need to be knowledgeable of his devices therein (2 Cor 2:11), and keep ourselves from them, for it is written (Pro 4:23; Phili 4:8-9) . . .
Pro 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.
Php 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Php 4:9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
III. THE YOKE OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST (v 28-30).
A. (v 28)
Mat 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
1. The Lord here refers primarily to the Jews of the context who rejected the Gospel, who were heavy laden with over 1,000 traditions of men added to the Law of Moses, yet the Law was a heavy burden by itself, even without those additions.
a. There were 10 commandments and 613 explicit ordinances, which included 3 mandatory feast days, thus extended travel away from one’s home for a good part of each year.
b. There were continual sacrifices that were a constant reminder of sins, a distinction in members that kept many afar off in many of the intimate services of God (only one priest, the high priest, could go into the Most Holy Place, where the presence of God dwelt, and then only once a year).
c. There were 15 laws that when broken, resulted in being stoned to death in one’s sin, thus eternal damnation.
d. Also when the majority of God’s people succumbed to sin, all were subject to punishment (plagues, captivities, and so forth), not just the guilty.
e. This is the yoke that they could not bear (as spoken of in Acts 15:10).
2. But the law of Christ (Gal 6:2), that perfect law of liberty (Ja 1:25), which was to be put in effect after His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension (Heb 9:16-17), would free them from all this (Rom 6:14).
Rom 6:14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
b. Law would still exist in the New Covenant, but instead of being “under” God’s law, it would be there to be embraced, and loved, and thus partaken of, as it is written (Heb 8:8-10) . . .
Heb 8:8 . . . "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,
Heb 8:9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.
Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
c. Plus there was true remission of sins, which was not truly possible under the Law of Moses (Acts 13:38-39; Heb 10:4), there was merely a rolling forward sins each year, which must have been a terrible burden upon one’s conscience (Heb 8:12).
Heb 8:12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more."
d. The truth is concerning this matter, that without God in the flesh dying for the sins of mankind, not one soul would be able to exit out of the gates of Hades and enter into the abode we refer to as Heaven, God’s specific dwelling place, this is the meaning of Christ’s statement in Mt 16:18b . . .
Mat 16:18b I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
e. There would be a simple plan of salvation, simple church organization, and simple worship, congregations for the most part were family orientated and home based, this is easy to see as you read through the epistles, in fact there was no church buildings being employed until the times of Constantine (mid 300s), when church and state were joined together by the wisdom of men. The same is going on today, our government is using 501c3 tax status to put a yoke from the state on followers of Christ so they don’t have to bear tax burdens that Jesus commands us to bear (Mt 22:21).
Mat 22:21 . . . "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
3. “All who labor and are heavy laden” could and should also be applied to those who are burdened with the heavy weight of sin, the conscience that knows that “one day”, That Day”, the “Last Day” it will stand before the sinless Savior (Eccl 3:11), Who will judge them according to the Gospel (John 12:48, Rom 2:16; Rev 20:12), knowing that they indeed are guilty of all charges (Rom 3:23; 6:23).
Rom 3:23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
a. The gift of salvation is available to whosoever wills to drink of the water of life freely (Rev 22:17), and Jesus, through the Gospel, takes away our fear of death, and the judgment unto condemnation associated with it (Heb 2:14-15; 9:27).
B. (v 29)
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
The yoke is an emblem of subjection and service, in the simplest terms it means to be joined up with Jesus through the Gospel, to take Christ’s yoke is to believe, learn, and obey the gospel, this yoke is to be self induced, one “wants” to partake of the gospel, one is “willingly” born into the Covenant (Isa 2:3; Rev 22:17; John 3:5).
Isa 2:3 and many peoples shall come, and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that hears, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely.
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
a. Under the Law of Moses, there was no choice for the Hebrew, one was physically born into a covenantal relationship with God, and thus subject to God’s punishments along with the rest of the nation, but under Christ we “choose” to enter into this covenantal relationship (Rom 6:16; Rev 22:17), and give an account of ourselves before God (Rom 14:12).
And full forgiveness is now possible through the blood of Christ, initially (Jn 5:24), and ongoing (1 Jn 1:7), one can pass on from this world knowing that Heaven awaits them on that Great Day thanks to that perfect law of liberty designed for imperfect humanity.
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Instead of a reminder of sins, as under Moses, sins are forgiven and forgotten (look at Heb 10:10-17) . . .
Heb 10:10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Heb 10:11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
Heb 10:12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,
Heb 10:13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.
Heb 10:14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
Heb 10:15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,
Heb 10:16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,"
Heb 10:17 then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more."
Thus one has a clear conscience before the Almighty as seen in (1 Pet 3:21).
1Pe 3:21 . . . baptism (immersion) doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) . . . (KJV)
Then one can rest in that peace that passes understanding (Phili 4:7), worldly woes will mean next to nothing, with no fear of, but rather the looking forward to, physical death (Heb 2:15), getting out of this burdensome physical body (2 Cor 5:2), and being fervent to serve Christ while upon this earth, as affirmed by Paul (Phili 1:21).
Phi 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Can you say the same? You should, this is where God’s wants His people’s faith.
Taking Christ’s yoke is also to be linked with Him, spiritually speaking, and this is an unequal yoke.
He is perfect, we are not, He is holy, we are not, He is everything, that we need to be, yet are not, but this yoke is there to lead us closer and closer, day by day, to that point, and when we fall short, He through His imparted perfection (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 10:14) and holiness (1 Cor 1:2; Heb 10:10), keeps us holy and perfect in the sight of God as we live a life walking after the Spirit (Rom 8:4), walking in the light (1 Jn 1:7), being sanctified (Heb 10:14), being transformed day by day (2 Cor 4:16), bringing practical holiness to completion (2 Cor 7:1).
C. (v 30)
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
1. Christ’s yoke is certainly easier and lighter than Moses’ yoke, for Jesus is doing all the work for us dragging us along by His imputed perfection (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 10:14) and holiness (1 Cor 1:2; Heb 10:10), but “Christ’s yoke is also serviceable” it does what God’s intends it to do, as one lives the Christian life, they understand the importance and need of Christ’s yoke, it then becomes lighter and lighter, and thus we take it more fully as we change and grow in the grace and knowledge that is in Christ (2 Pet 3:18).
a. One is transformed by the gospel, into a representation of Christ, this is called the renewal (Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 4:16, Eph 4:23; Col 3:10), the renewing of the Holy Spirit (Tit 3:5),
Tit 3:5 not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
b. It begins at conversion (belief; Jn 5:24), and continues throughout the life of the faithful saint, as one learns and applies God's word to their lives, based upon the love of God, faith in Christ and His word, and hope in the promises of God.
c. Thus Christ’s yoke to the Christian are likened unto tracks of a train, or feathers to a bird, they do not load one down, but rather aids in one’s motion towards the goal.
2. The only question left is why? Why do many not take Christ’s yoke upon them?
a. There are a number of reasons, most of them are based on “selfishness” instead of “selflessness,” it is the condition of one’s heart that is the deciding factor as seen in the parable of the sower
b. Yet instead of being overly burdened with the negative response of others to the Gospel, rather we should take to heart the words of our Lord to Peter, “what is that to thee? Follow thou Me! (John 21:22).
c. We need to keep “our” eyes on Christ (Heb 12:2), and strive to keep “our” lives aligned with His will, because He Himself said (Luke 13:24) . . .
Luk 13:24 Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
d. Satan would like nothing better to see us fall away in a weakened state of confusion, yet we ought not let him take advantage of us in this manner, we are not to be ignorant of his devices, his methods (2 Cor 2:11).
e. For as long as we are yoked together with Christ, being the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor 5:21), we can look forward to being in a relationship with Him in this world and the next, as it is written (1 Pet 1:3-4).
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4 unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Conclusion,
1) We looked “the revealing of the Gospel of Christ” (v 25-26), the Gospel is the power of God to salvation to everyone that believes (Rom 1:16), it is revealed in the Bible, the living word of the living God, we must always keep in mind “is it from heaven, or men” one leads to the life eternal, the other to eternal demise.
2) We also looked at “the authority of the Gospel of Christ” (v 27), Christ has it (Mt 28:18), He exercises it through His word, the NT, and no where else, not in the creeds of men, nor in the opinions of individuals, His word will stand, long after this earth has accomplished God’s purpose, and is destroyed (Mt 24:35).
3) Lastly we looked at “the yoke of the Gospel of Christ” (28-30), the yoke of Christ keeps us perfect (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 10:14), and holy (1 Cor 1:2; Heb 10:10) in the sight of God as we learn and embrace God’s will for us, as we through God’s working in us (Phili 2:13), bring holiness to completion (2 Cor 7:1).
4) And that yoke is something one must take upon himself, it can’t be done to you, nor for you, it is taken in the same way as it has been for almost 2000 yrs!
One is to . . .
Hear the Word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17);
We must teach and preach the pure doctrine of Christ, without additions or subtractions.
For “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10:17), not the doctrines of men.
Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Divine Son of God (Acts 8:37; John 8:24); Who died for our sins, was raised from the dead, and ascended into Heaven (1 Cor 15:1-4), He is our forerunner (Heb 6:20), our living hope (1 Pet 1:3-4). Belief (faith) is the crossover point from spiritual death to spiritual life (Jn 5:24), but people are not saved by faith alone (Ja 2:17, 24, 26), God wants individuals to continue in the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15) . . .
Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5), determine to turn from our ways, and turn to the new and living Way, living by faith (according to God’s word; Rom 10:17), not as the world lives (Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 6:17).
Confess Christ before people (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9), initially at conversion and while you fulfill God’s will for individuals to hear the good news of Christ through His Gospel (Mt 28:19-20).
Be baptized (immersed) into Christ (Gal 3:27) into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3) unto (for) the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38; 22:16); baptism is the point where one is to be determined to be dead to sin and to be alive unto God (Rom 6:1-11).
And live a life that is holy (1 Pet 1:15-16), set apart “from” the ways of the world and “to” God’s Way, according to the Gospel, being determined to follow God’s instructions, thereby taking the yoke of Christ which gets lighter day by day by day, until that eternal day dawns, and all our hopes are realized.