Read and Believe in Jesus.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

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REVIEW – Yesterday we saw a message from John the Baptist (in prison) reach Jesus and Jesus’ unusual answer. The fiery “voice in the wilderness” had proclaimed a Messiah of fire and cleansing. But from what John could learn from his deep dungeon, Jesus was a Messiah of compassion, tenderness, healing, and hope. Israel was corrupt and sinful; where was the judgment?

Jesus sent a message through John’s disciples, in the only form the Baptist would fully understand. Jesus sent him ‘scripture in action.’ He showed John that His healing of the sick and disabled, cleansing of lepers, freeing the demon-possessed, even raising the dead, and preaching good news, did in fact fulfill the first part of Isaiah’s prophecies of the Messiah. (from Isaiah 29 and 35). In the second coming, there would be fire, judgment, and wrath.

Once John heard that report, he KNEW Jesus was indeed the Messiah of Israel.

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Matthew 11:20-24.

(Remember that while the disciples were on their missionary trip, Jesus was also “teaching and preaching” in the cities of Galilee.)

Despite the extraordinary exclamations about his healings, the people did NOT follow Him as Messiah. People then (like today) wanted what they could GET from God and weren’t interested in what they could GIVE.

Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, all cities around the Lake where Jesus centered His ministry, came under judgment for refusing to repent and follow Him. (Later, when Jesus spoke directly to His “home townies”, He would include Nazareth in the condemnation.)

Then that chilling judgment. It would be worse for these (the cities that had experienced Jesus in person and rejected Him) than for Tyre and Sidon, and Sodom. (Ezekiel 26-28 and Genesis 23:3-5)

Wow, I think I might have shaken in my boots to hear that judgment! But then again, except for God’s grace, I probably would have dismissed Jesus’ words and walked away too.

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Matthew 11:25-27.

After their earlier degrading taunts and name-calling of Jesus, and his vivid judgment on their cities, Jesus saw fit to warn them further, via a spoken-aloud prayer to His Father.

“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”; yes, Father, for such was Your gracious will. “

A sure slap in the face for those stuck-up know-it-alls, who had called Jesus a “glutton and drunkard.” (The very Son of God!!)

The precious news of salvation and redemption, of God’s great love that led Him to send Jesus to die, the grace and mercy He showed us through Jesus… these pearls and treasure boxes of gold… were to be revealed only to those with child-like, faith-filled hearts.

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Matthew 11:28-30.

Then this familiar and precious passage:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

This beginning echoes the Beatitudes (Blessed are the poor in spirit (the humble), the ones who mourn (about their sin), the meek (not proud), the merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers…).

Jesus isn’t calling people who are simply tired of working and need a vacation in the Bahamas. He is calling those with a heart’s longing for Spiritual rest and peace with God to come to Him.

“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.”

Not only will Jesus help you, support you, and share your “journey” in this life; He will also save you from endless, fruitless efforts to “save” yourself by trying to keep the works of the law (which no one can do).

Resting in Jesus means faith in the very means of His Salvation (His death on your behalf and His resurrection, which shows God’s acceptance of His work).

Come to Him, believe in Him, trust Him! “For (His) yoke is easy and (HIS) burden is light.”

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