Clear Teaching of The Word
January 22, 2022
Commentary
Here we find Jesus pronouncing condemnation against the cities in which some of His most significant miracles had occurred (vv. 20-24). Chorazin was a village about two and a half miles north of Capernaum; Bethsaida was about three miles east. All three cities had witnessed Jesus’s ministry firsthand. They would be judged for seeing the Messiah and then rejecting Him. How tragic it had been that these cities did not seem to appreciate the opportunities they had to see and hear Christ and be saved! By contrast the godless Gentile cities of Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom would have repented had they seen the miracles that Jesus and His disciples had performed (vv. 20-22).
In contrast to His condemnation of the three Galilean cities Jesus issued a call to those who in faith would turn to Him (vv. 25-26). He declares that true discipleship can be enjoyed only by those who come to Him in childlike faith. Jesus goes on to say that the one who truly knows the Father is the Son (v. 27). But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so they can know Him too. He issued a call to all who are weary and heavy laden to come to Him. A yoke symbolizes obedience, and Christian obedience includes learning from Christ. In this command there are two levels of rest that are promised. The first level is given to us when we become believers in the Lord Jesus Christ: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (v. 28). The second level of rest is not something given to us but is found by us when we fulfill the requirements of being yoked with Christ: “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me … and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (vv. 29–30)
Application
What clear teaching from the Word of God have I heard in the past month that I have not acted on? What steps do I need to take today to do what I know the Lord wants me to do? There will never be a better time to start than today.
Matthew 11:20– 30 (NET)
20 Then Jesus began to criticize openly the cities in which he had done many of his miracles, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you! 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be thrown down to Hades! For if the miracles done among you had been done in Sodom, it would have continued to this day. 24 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for the region of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you!”
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and have revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son decides to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.”