The Warning and Invitation of Jesus

GOLDEN TEXT: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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.” —Matthew 11:28,29

MATTHEW 11:20-30

IN THE preceding verses of this lesson we find Jesus referring to the ministry of John the Baptist, and noting the fact that so far as the nation of Israel as a whole was concerned it had failed. John had called upon the people to repent. To those who responded and turned to their God with all their heart, John was the promised Elias. (Matt. 11:14) But these were few in comparison with the entire nation.

The vast majority rejected John, even as they rejected Jesus. “John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, he hath a devil. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.” (Matt. 11:18,19) Thus did Jesus sum up the inconsistencies of the people, and revealed their more or less obstinate confusion of mind.

Then follows the Master’s indictment of the various Jewish cities—Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum—and his explanation that it would be more “tolerable,” or favorable, for Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom in the day of judgment than for these cities which had rejected him and his kingdom message. Jesus explained that if the same “mighty works” “had been done in Sodom, it would have remained.”

This is very revealing. It shows that the people of Sodom, and indeed also of Tyre and Sidon, could have been reformed and taught to love and serve the Lord had an effort been made to do so. But no such effort was made, and the only conclusion we can reach is that it was not yet the Lord’s due time for the people of these cities to be converted. This conclusion is obviously correct, for Jesus indicates that favor is to be shown to them in the day of judgment

This is fully in keeping with other texts of Scripture which reveal that when the “judgments” of the Lord are in the earth “the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Isa. 26:9) We are also told that the Lord will “judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.” (Ps. 96:13) That will be the time when the knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth.—Isa. 11:9

The day of judgment will be a favorable time for all except those who at heart are willfully opposed to the Lord and to his righteous laws. It will be more favorable for the Sodomites than for those who had heard the wonderful words of Jesus and rejected them, because they did not sin against so much light. The principle involved is set forth by Jesus in Luke 12:47,48: “Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required.”

“And thou, Capernaum,” Jesus said, “which art exalted unto heaven, shall be brought down to hell.” (vs. 23) This does not mean that the people of Capernaum were consigned to a place of torment. The word here is hades, meaning oblivion. The city of Capernaum was destroyed. It is the same with individuals who go into the Bible hell.

As Jesus considered the worldly wisdom of the people who found excuses to oppose both John the Baptist and himself, he lifted up his heart in thankfulness to his Heavenly Father, avid said, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.”

Only those sincere, meek, and teachable, are being called by the Gospel during the present age. The wisdom of this world leads away from the Lord and the simplicity of his truth. It is the meek whom the Lord guides “in judgment” and teaches “his way.” (Ps. 25:9) Through Jesus, these are drawn to the Father and become acquainted with him.

And it is these who find true rest of mind and heart. The meek of the Jewish nation were “heavy laden” with the burdens imposed upon them by the Law, and additionally by the traditions of men. The unreasoning of their leaders helped to increase their burden, adding confusion and uncertainty. The sincere and meek among the Gentiles are also burdened. Big Jesus extends the invitation to all, “Come unto me, … and I will give you rest.”—vs.28

This “rest” furnished by Jesus does not involve freedom from responsibility, or idleness. Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me.” (vs. 29) A “yoke” is a symbol of servitude. Jesus came to do his Father’s will. This was his “yoke.” It involved suffering and death, and we are invited to suffer and to die with him. The yoke is “light” because he helps us to bear it, and is loving and compassionate in his dealing with us.

QUESTIONS

Relate Jesus’ introduction to the warnings contained in today’s lesson.

Why will it be more favorable for some in the day of judgment than for others?

In what sense was the city of Capernaum “brought down to hell”?

To whom only does the Lord reveal the truth?

What is Jesus’ “yoke” and why is it “light”?

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