Rest For Your Souls – Matthew 11

“Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His 12 disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.” Matthew 11:1

In Matthew 10:1-4,7, Jesus named His 12 disciples. He gave them power to cast out unclean spirits, heal all kinds of sickness and disease, and to preach, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ He sent them “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Now, He departs and begins to teach and preach in Israel’s cities as well.

“And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: the blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the Gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Matthew 11:2-6

Though locked up in Herod’s prison, John the Baptist is receiving reports of the works of Messiah. He must have been allowed visits or to communicate by letters with his disciples. He sent two of them to ask Jesus if He is the “Coming One” or Messiah. Perhaps, John made this request for the sake of his disciples. In Matthew 3:16-17, John knew that Jesus was the Coming One after the Spirit of God alighted on Him in the form of a dove, and God’s voice was heard from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” It is also possible that he wanted reassurance from the Lord that he was laying down his life for the Messiah.

Jesus told the disciples of John to report back to him of the miracles that were happening, and that the poor had the Gospel preached to them. The last recorded words of Jesus to John before Herod beheaded him were, “And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

Praise God! I believe John went to the chopping block proclaiming that Jesus was Messiah!

“As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You. Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!’” Matthew 11:7-15

People had been willing to endure the discomfort of being in a wilderness to hear John preach. Their religious gathering places did not feed their souls. No, Jesus said that their leaders laid burdens on people that they were unwilling themselves to bear.

A wilderness is not a temperature controlled auditorium with special lighting, a sound system and comfortable seating. John did not wear expensive clothing when he preached.

Did the people go out to the wilderness to see a reed shaken by the wind? “A reed shaken by the wind” is someone who is easily influenced by public opinion and external circumstances. John the Baptist was not a chameleon who changed colors based on popular trends.

Jesus declared that “the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.”

“Who are ‘the violent’ who ‘take [the kingdom] by force?’ The word translated ‘the violent’ always carries a negative connotation. It therefore cannot describe a positive action, as in ‘eager men are forcing their way into it’ (J.B. Phillips). It must refer to those who opposed the kingdom. The word translated ‘take’ (or ‘lay hold of’) almost always involves malicious intent. Wicked people who fit this description include Herod... and the Jewish leaders who opposed Jesus.”

“What is meant by the kingdom’s ‘suffering violence?’ The Greek verb can rightly be translated one of two ways: ‘suffering violence’ or ‘forcefully advancing.’ Both are possible translations. The first option understands the kingdom to be under attack by the forces of darkness (Herod, Jewish leaders, and so on). Option two envisions God as forcefully advancing the kingdom against that very opposition. While each highlights a true element of the kingdom of heaven, option one is more convincing. God’s kingdom is the direct object of unbelieving hostility.”

“Whatever opposition the kingdom and its subjects may face, Job 42:2 remains true: ‘I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.’” [1]

“But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, calling to their companions, and saying: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance. We mourned to you, and you did not lament.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.” Matthew 11:16-19

Israel’s spiritual leaders were failing, and so were Israel’s sheep. The sheep preferred shopping places, music and dancing. When their bad choices brought them to tears, John did not weep for their losses. He urged them to repent. John, like the prophet in Jeremiah 16:8, did not participate in their carnal indulgences. What did the lost sheep of Israel think about that? They assumed his abstinence stemmed from a mean spirit. When Jesus did eat and drink with them, they labeled Him a glutton, winebibber and friend of sinners.

Jesus said, “Wisdom is justified by her children.” Godly wisdom is proven right by its results. Wisdom’s effectiveness is shown through the transformed lives of those who follow it. The “children” refer to those who act on wisdom—such as tax collectors and sinners repenting in response to Jesus and John the Baptist—whose changed lives validate the message. [2]

“Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, 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. But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.” Matthew 11:20-24

The lack of spiritual transformation in Chorazin and Bethsaida were due to their rejection of Messiah. Jesus said that Tyre’s judgment would be more tolerable than theirs. Ezekiel 28:1-17 assigned characteristics of Satan to the King of Tyre. Jesus said that Sodom’s judgement would be more tolerable than Capernaum’s. Capernaum had been the home base of Jesus during the early stages of His ministry. Peter, Andrew, James, John and Matthew were from Capernaum.

The severity of Messiah’s judgments of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum in this passage are a warning to us in the USA. We have been blessed with an abundance of revelations about Messiah and His kingdom. God has poured out His Holy Spirit among us. He has done miracles. He has given to us excellent worship music composers, leaders, musicians and singers. He has raised up an abundance of churches and church leaders for us. Jesus Messiah has called and sent out missionaries from the USA to the least reached people of the earth. Like unto Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, we have received much from the Lord.

In Luke 12:48, Jesus said, “To whom much is given, much is required.” The Lord expects the nations, communities and individuals who have received much—such as wealth, talent, power, or knowledge—to give more to help others who are lacking these blessings.

“At that time Jesus answered and said, ‘I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:25-30

I like the way our Lord Jesus switched from thoughts about the “wise and prudent” who rejected His ministry to the “babes” who were happy to be taught by Him.

Jesus assured laborers and burden bearers that He is gentle, and lowly in heart. He humbled Himself to obey the will of His Father. Jesus consistently made the right choices. He did not treat His yokefellows harshly. He lightened their loads. His faithfulness to do God’s work God’s way yielded rest for the souls of His followers then, and still does today. Praise the Lord!



[1] learn.ligonier.org/articles/violent-take-it-force
[2] Bible Hub and BibleRef.com