God’s rest, God’s grace (Matt 11:25-27)
In the previous sermon we saw man’s role in appropriating God’s rest: by taking the yoke of Jesus, submitting to and learning of Him. This is the faith response required of man to the invitation of God.
In pursuing God’s rest however, man’s faith has to be coupled with God’s grace.
What is Jesus’ message thus far in the gospel of Matthew?
Jesus teaching the good news of the Kingdom in the synagogues of Galilee. (Matt 4:23)
Through the apostles, that Kingdom is at hand and this is accompanied by signs, wonders and powers. (Matt 10:6)
Affirming to John the Baptist that Jesus Himself is the Messiah that God has promised in the Old Testament scriptures (Matt 11:3)
If Israel had believed Jesus was the Messiah, John the Baptist would have been the Elijah that God had promised in Mal 4:5. (Matt 11:14)
The message of Jesus thus far is the good news of the Kingdom. Jesus affirms that He is the Messiah come to usher in the Kingdom and to give them rest. If Israel had received Jesus, Kingdom would have come. Sadly, Israel rejected.
This good news of the Kingdom (referred to as “these things” in Matt 11:25) has arrived but was hidden from “the wise and prudent” but revealed to “babes”.
The “wise and prudent” vs. “babes” (child)
In Luke 18:10-14, the Pharisees exemplify the idea of the wise and prudent. Although they are knowledgeable and wise in Jewish teachings, they are ultimately focused on themselves and their outward practices. They think that they possess all knowledge about the Kingdom and that they hold the key to enter Kingdom. The attitude of the wise and prudent is one of complacent confidence in their strength to enter Kingdom.
The tax collector, on the other hand, shows the spirit of a “babe”. One that is helpless like a child and is unable to do anything on his own, and requires the aid of his father.
Compared to the wise and prudent, a child is dependent on father instead of his own strength.
Does God not like people to be wise?
God does not have an issue with wisdom. In fact, God is wisdom (Pro 2:6). We also see God giving wisdom to Solomon (1 King 3:5-15), and it pleased God to do so as Solomon had the right spirit as a little child in asking for this wisdom to lead God’s people.
God has a problem when man puts wisdom above God and takes pride in the very wisdom that He has gifted the person.
Judicial blindness of the wise and prudent
In the gospel times, crucifixion on a cross was a penalty reserved for the meanest and worst of criminals. To claim that the Messiah has died on the cross posed a massive mental hurdle to overcome:
- A Roman/Greek mind cannot comprehend the benefits of embracing a savior that died a death of a lowly criminal.
- To the Jewish mind, the Messiah was to be an exalted king, not one that would be put to death.
God chose a redemption plan that confounded people who take pride that they would know all, and that they know better than God does. God takes pleasure that His redemption plan is appropriated by those who respond simply, in faith (1 Cor 1:21).
How can “babes” comprehend then? Only by God’s sovereign grace.
God the Father reveals these things to the babes through Himself and Jesus. One can only know that Jesus is the Messiah as God opens their eyes to it. The people who will know God are people that Jesus chooses to reveal to.
God’s rest: God’s grace, man’s faith.
God invites people to enter into His rest. How do we respond to that?
- Do we come into His house today full of our knowledge, knowing the redemption plan but rejecting it?
- Or do we enter his house as a little child, humble and helpless, calling to Christ to save us?
Matt 11:25-27 is God’s grace at work. It is only by His grace, not the knowledge that man possesses, that Kingdom is revealed to us. With this revelation made known to us, it is incumbent for receivers of this grace to accept this open invitation through faith. Do we resist the urge to be proud and instead depend on God’s grace and mercy to receive His rest?
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