Matthew 11:20–30

Explore the Bible

Dean, School of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile

AN OPEN INVITATION

Matthew 11:20–30

When a subject is invited to stand before a king, the invitation might strike terror or bring joy. Serious questions may come to mind. Who am I that he would grant me an audience? Will he sentence me for a crime? Will he issue a royal decree on my behalf? Will he appoint me to a royal position? Will he extend to me royal favor?

In this week’s lesson we find that our King passes judgment for infidelity, as city inhabitants who witnessed the works of God through Jesus refused to believe He was Messiah. He hides His secrets from the prideful but reveals them to the humble. He invites believers into a favored position within the Kingdom. Finally the King offers His beloved rest.

Promised Judgment (20–24)

“To whom much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48). Jesus performed miracles in Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, yet the people refused to believe in Him. Consider the severe judgment of fire and brimstone on Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19). Capernaum’s sentence is worse. The Phoenician coastal cities of Tyre and Sidon were barraged by Greek and Roman armies during the intertestamental period, the gap of time between the conclusion of the Hebrew Bible and the beginning of the New Testament. But Bethsaida would face a more devastating punishment.

Promised Revelation (25–26)

Pride comes before destruction. Theologians are prone to pride themselves on their education, experience and academic status. As we eavesdrop on Jesus’ intimate worship here, we discover religious leaders in the first century were no different. The Master distinguishes those who are ignorant of His simple revelations, and gives little children understanding of the Kingdom.

Luke records this reality in Acts 4, when fishermen Peter and John stand before the theological authorities in Jerusalem to give account of the healing at the Beautiful Gate. The physician notes that the Sanhedrin saw them to be unlearned and ignorant men, but they had been with Jesus. These simple men had been granted spiritual authority and boldness in the presence of the King. We must be careful not to allow pride in our training or accomplishments to blind us to the simple truths that God is teaching us through His Word.

Promised Relationship (27)

Jesus has a unique relationship with the Father. Those who enter into a faith relationship with the Son come to know the Father, and those who do not believe in the Son cannot know the Father. While this position is not acceptable in our politically correct world, it reflects the words of Jesus here and elsewhere: “Anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God” (John 3:18). “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). This relationship is a blessing to those who believe and a curse to those who do not.

Promised Rest (28–30)

“Come.” This is the King’s recurring invitation. Isaiah records it in 1:18 with a promise of forgiveness and cleansing, and three times he writes it in 55:1 with a promise of provision. 

Here Jesus’ invitation is accompanied by a promise of rest. Disciples are invited to cast off the wearisome yoke and exchange it for the yoke of Jesus. In the oxen’s double-yoke, the lead ox takes on the greater burden of direction and strain. In this analogy Jesus takes the lead and we learn from Him as we walk alongside Him. We experience peace as we walk and labor in His presence.