Matthew 11:25-30 Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest

Jesus had been teaching that he is the Son of God bringing near the kingdom of God and that the proper response to such teaching is repentance that moves one to mission: to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom. These are the things that are hidden from the “wise and understanding” according to this world because they are not open to receive Jesus’ teachings. These things are revealed to “little children,” people who are willing to receive Jesus’ teachings with simple faith. In this simple prayer of thanksgiving, Jesus reveals the will of the Father: the pride and arrogant who are unwilling to believe will not see and the humble who are willing to embrace with faith will see (receive revelation). Jesus also explains his relationship with his Father: he has been handed over all things, authority in heaven and earth (Mat.28:18) to accomplish his mission, to begin the establishment of God’s kingdom upon the earth. To know the Father is the privilege of those who are in relationship with Jesus because he is the only one who knows (not just about, but intimately in relationship) him.

Jesus makes a call to all who are burdened by the legalistic interpretations of the Law imposed upon them by the Scribes and Pharisees. Interpretations that promote works in an attempt to earn salvation and enter the kingdom of God by one’s own merits. He calls people to himself so that they can enjoy rest from such labor. Jesus is offering a lighter yoke. Yoke was used as a metaphor for the disciple/teacher relationship. Submission to one’s teacher was to receive his yoke upon oneself. Jesus is calling people to switch their discipleship over to him because he is gentle, not a slave driver. He is also lowly in heart (humble), with no interest in putting people down to show himself superior. This yoke is easier because it is lighter and will allow people to find much needed rest. Rest refers to a stopping of the work, but also as enjoying a blessed tranquility of the soul in God. To follow Jesus is to take his light and easy yoke upon us that we may find rest for our souls.

Lord, help me take on your yoke. Help me see that obedience to you brings rest for my soul.

Matthew 9:1-8 Jesus Heals a Paralytic

Some friends of a paralytic brought him before Jesus lying on a mat. The buzz about Jesus’ healing powers must’ve reached them and they thought the least they could do for their friend was to carry him to Jesus. It is obvious that they had faith that Jesus could heal him and Jesus himself “saw their faith.” Now, instead of performing a healing right there and then, Jesus puzzles everyone (including myself as a reader of the story) by forgiving the sins of the paralytic.  What? Forgiveness of sins? Isn’t that something only God can do? The accusation of blasphemy began to spread in the minds of those who heard his words. Blasphemy is to intentionally speak in a way that is irreverent towards God. Jesus’ forgiveness of sins was taken as blasphemy because he was making himself equal to God. This was one of the reasons they wanted to kill him (Jn.5:18).

Jesus categorized their thoughts of blasphemy as evil. While they had good intentions of defending the glory and reputation of God, they failed to notice that God was standing before them in the flesh. In order to prove to them that he was the Son of Man, the Messiah “with authority on earth to forgive sins,” he tells the paralytic: “rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he does! The reaction of the crowd is fear mixed with awe of God who granted Jesus such authority. To follow Jesus is to believe he is the Son of Man with authority to forgive sins.

Father, grow and strengthen my faith in Jesus’ forgiveness of my sins. Thank you for sending your Son into the world to take upon himself our sins.

Matthew 8:5-13 The Faith of a Centurion

To follow Jesus means to have faith in him; faith like the centurion's. Jesus commended the faith of the centurion. It is worth noting that the centurion is a Gentile and Jesus comments that he had not seen such faith in Israel. This faith is independent of ethnicity. While the centurion was a Gentile, he was able to recognize that Jesus is the Messiah promised. His faith took him to trust in Jesus for the healing of his servant.

The centurion’s faith moved him to see Jesus’ authority and power and to humbly submit to it. The fact that he had authority and power allowed him to understand that just like he could command others, Jesus could command the healing by his word. It is a fact that any Jew who would walk into a Gentile home would become unclean and the centurion spares Jesus the trouble of going to his home.

Jesus points out that the faith of the centurion will get him to enjoy the final banquet in the kingdom of heaven with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Unfortunately, many Israelites will suffer a different fate: to be thrown into the outer darkness because they did not recognize him as the Messiah, had no faith.

Father, may I have faith like the centurion. A faith that transcends ethnicity, recognizes Jesus as the Messiah, and willingly submits to his power and authority.

Matthew 21:23-27 The Authority of Jesus Challenged

Authority is permission and power. It is the permission or right to make decisions, give orders, and enforce obedience. But permission alone does not get it done. It is necessary to have the ability to do so - power. Jesus received all authority in heaven and on earth. Nothing is out of bounds for him. It is a divine authority granted by the Father.

It is divine because his authority heals sickness, forgives sin, and grants eternal life. The ability to do these things is reserved only for God. As Jesus exercised his authority, he shocked the people with it because he was able to do things that only God can do. Unfortunately, the chief priests and the elders cannot reconcile the fact that Jesus can exercise this kind of authority. After all, he is just a man. Or is he? Jesus is God and man.

Jesus challenges them with another question concerning John the Baptist - the one who would prepare the way for him. What kind of authority did he have to baptize like he did? The baptism of John was radical and an insult to the Jews. Immersion in water was a ritual for Gentiles converting to Judaism. It was an insult to invite a Jew to go through such a ritual since they considered themselves children of Abraham with no need of cleansing. Caught between the people and their own unbelief they were not able to discern John's authority. Jesus refuses to answer and leaves them to their fears and unbelief.

I need to come to terms with the reality of Jesus' authority. Do I truly believe that he has authority in heaven and on earth? Why do I hesitate with the authority he has delegated to me as a believer? Am I like the priests and elders, caught between what people might say and my own unbelief, paralyzed in my own faith? Jesus has granted the church (his body) permission and power to finish the work he started. What am I waiting for?

Lord, help me overcome the "what people might think" syndrome. Help me overcome my own unbelief. May I exercise freely the authority you have given me in my life and ministry. 

Matthew 10:1-4 The Twelve Apostles

Jesus put together one of the greatest, if not the greatest, team on earth. Their greatness can be measured in many ways. For one, they influenced the whole known world of their day with the Gospel. Also, their preaching, teaching, and writings have shaped the thoughts of many, many people around the world to this day and inspired the writing of many books. Last, but not least, their ministry in the supernatural with healing and exorcisms left the crowds in awe. Undoubtedly, this is a great team that has influenced the whole world since its inception to this day and will continue to touch lives throughout history until the end of days.

Interestingly enough, the members of the team are not extraordinary people, but ordinary citizens of their day. Among them we find fishermen, tax collectors, and carpenters. Yet, they were all able to make a contribution for the expansion of the kingdom of God. None of them were in positions of power and influence, but were able to influence the masses with the Gospel message. In their beginnings, they were pretty insecure; afraid of what the authorities would do to them. Afterwards, they were willing to die for the proclamation of the Gospel.

What makes ordinary people into extraordinary team players for the kingdom? Jesus called them, gave them authority, and the apostles obeyed. It is essential that I have certainty that God has called me - not just to be a pastor, but to be a Christian. My calling as a Christian must be clear. Secondly, it is very important that I seize the authority given and use it appropriately. Authority is permission and power to do something. Just like the apostles, permission alone does not cut it; they needed power. I must live a Spirit-filled life to be empowered to do the work of the kingdom. Finally, I must obey. The call and the authority are worthless unless I am willing to act in obedience.

When I question my salvation and my call, I undermine the work of God in my own life and the life of those around me. When I doubt the God-given authority Jesus gives me to minister to others, I jeopardize my ability to be an instrument in God's hands to touch others. When I simply disobey God's call upon my life to be a witness to others, I miss the opportunity to see God do extraordinary things with my ordinary life.

Lord, grant me assurance in my call to serve you. Fill me with your Spirit so that I may seize the authority you have dispensed. And move my will to obey you day by day so that I may see you at work through me.