Matthew 11:28-30 - THE GOSPEL CALL - part 5

MAT.11:28-30; THE GOSPEL CALL - part 5

"COME TO ME,
ALL YOU WHO ARE WEARY AND BURDENED,
AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.
TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU AND LEARN FROM ME,
FOR I AM GENTLE AND HUMBLE IN HEART,
AND YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.
FOR MY YOKE IS EASY AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT."
Mat 11:28-30 (NIV)

INTRODUCTION

"I have read in Plato and Cicero sayings that are wise and very 
beautiful; but I never read in either of them: 'Come unto Me all ye that 
labour and are heavy laden.'" St. Augustine [The 365-Day Devotional 
Commentary] 

Through the ages these verses have been among the most beloved 
in the NT. [Ryrie SB] 

Only in Matthew is this invitation [Cambridge Annotated SB]

This is the gospel call; whoever will, let him come. [Matthew 
Henry Commentary] 

This great invitation, extended to all, is threefold: (1) to 
come and receive salvation; (2) to learn in discipleship; and (3) to 
serve in yoke with the Lord. [Ryrie SB] 

SUMMARY STATEMENTS

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden:
That's you.  Whether you're a millionaire or deep in debt, you 
are carrying a load of sin.  Can you come to God in such a 
condition? Yes, You can!  Jesus Christ welcomes you.  He will cleanse you 
and make you presentable to His Father. 
And I will give you rest:
That's the best news in the world.  For a while you may think 
money or success or many friends will give you satisfaction.  But they 
cannot supply your deepest need.  Only Jesus Christ can give you true 
rest. 
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me:
Yes, there is a yoke.  No one is free.  Everyone is either in 
slavery to the devil or to Jesus.  To obey the devil will bring you to 
destruction, but to obey Jesus Christ brings you peace and joy both now and 
forever.  The best way to learn of Him is to read the Bible, which is 
truly the word of life. 
For I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto 
your souls: 
It sounds like becoming a Christian is only for weaklings who 
need a crutch to get them through life.  But it's not.  Being meek 
and lowly means that Christians win tremendous victories and lead 
successful lives by love and service rather than by hate and power.  The 
basic motives of your living will change. 
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light:
Yes, it is!  The burden of Jesus is a joyous one.  Coming back 
to God puts you in harmony with the purpose of your creation.  You 
discover that doing the will of God is the best way to live. 
Faith, Prayer & Tract League, Tract #243, Come.

"Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly 
in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."  
In these words Christ is speaking to every human being. Whether 
they know it or not, all are weary and heavy-laden. All are weighed 
down with burdens that only Christ can remove. The heaviest burden 
that we bear is the burden of sin. If we were left to bear this 
burden, it would crush us. But the Sinless One has taken our place. "The 
Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isa. 53:6. He has 
borne the burden of our guilt. He will take the load from our weary 
shoulders. He will give us rest. DA328-332 

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

So often we feel that God isn't present in our lives.  But it's 
not because he doesn't want to be there.  Maybe it's because we 
haven't made a place for him inside of us.  We are so filled up with our 
addictions and compulsive activity that we leave no room for God.  Reading 
the Bible, praying and Christian fellowship and service help us 
start creating a place for God.  [Life Recovery Devotional SB mod] 

Jesus places mankind in two categories:  those who follow Him 
and those who do not.  Those who follow Him are in the minority and 
must struggle against the current of our time in order to be obedient 
to Him.  The Lord calls His followers to a life of selflessness; 
the world encourages each to get all that he can.  The Lord calls 
His followers to a life of patient waiting; the world urges 
immediate gratification.  The Lord calls His followers to labor for the 
kingdom; the world strives for bigger, better, and the most now.  What do 
you do more than others?  Are you more selfless or selfish?  Are you 
waiting or striving?  Does what you do have eternal or temporal 
significance?  Think about it! [In His Time; Walk With Wisdom re Mat.5:47] 

SPECIAL COUNSEL FOR THE SICK AND ELDERLY

Often your mind may be clouded because of pain. Then do not try 
to think. You know that Jesus loves you. He understands your 
weakness. You may do His will by simply resting in His arms. {MH 251} 

All you are expected to do is to rest in His love. Do not worry. 
Jesus loves you, and now when you are weak and suffering, He holds you 
in His arms, just as a loving father holds a little child. Trust in 
Him in whom you have believed. Has He not loved and cared for you 
all through your lifetime? Just rest in the precious promises given 
you. {TDG 313} 

In our society older saints often feel they are not doing their 
part.  They can't help with the children; their bodies won't cooperate 
to do certain physically hard work; they have difficultly hearing 
or seeing; they feel like they can't contribute anymore. This idea 
must be eradicated! If you are someone like this, or know someone 
like this, consider Anna who was very old (Luke 2:36,37). She spent 
her time worshiping, fasting and praying.  Praying. And she was 
shown the Savior, in answer to her prayers! Older saints today need to 
be encouraged to pray and not be permitted to think they are second 
class servants!  Younger ones are not able to pray like Anna. God has 
ordained His power be bent to earth to do His will, THROUGH PRAYER.  
Encourage older saints in this manner.  They are literally on the front 
lines, bringing God's power to bear on the things of the earth. No one 
else can render this service; encourage them! [In His Time; Walk With 
Wisdom re Psa.34:15]