Bible Study on Matthew 11, verses 16 to 30, For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light

 

Matthew 11:16 ¶  But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, 17  And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. 18  For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 19  The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. 20  Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 21  Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22  But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24  But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

 

Christ moves from His praise of John the Baptist and the people desperately clamoring to enter the kingdom of Heaven to condemnation of those Jews who would not hear. He compares them to unrepentant cities of the Old Testament. The Jewish cities of His day on earth have a greater testimony given to them than cities of Old Testament and the cities of Old Testament may have responded favorably had they had the presence of Christ and the gospel of the kingdom of heaven presented to them. Tyre and Sidon, two maritime cities, were known by the Jews for their idolatry and wickedness much as seaports are known today. Even Sodom is spoken of favorably in this comparison.

 

See how Christ regards mankind’s rejection of Him, as worthy of destruction as Sodom itself.

 

Matthew 11:25 ¶  At that time Jesus answered and 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. 26  Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27  All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29  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. 30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 

For verse 25 see;

 

Isaiah 29:14  Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

 

Jesus states that God has kept things back from the so-called wise men, the elite of the world. It is to the meek, those who submit to Him and hunger for His understanding, that He reveals the great truths.

 

Christ looks to heaven, honoring God’s sovereignty and the security of the covenant made with man through Christ. Christ looks around Him to mankind as well inviting them to take on the light burden He gives them, to receive eternal life. Here is an non-exclusionary offer to all people to receive Him and be saved. There is nothing complicated or burdensome about it. Only later institutional state-religions and cults will try to create chains out of rays of light.

 

For Christ to reveal Himself to you it must be so that you are willing to receive Him. Many people know of Christ but their hard hearts and stubborn minds prevent them from receiving Him as their Saviour.