JESUS REVEALS GOD TO THE HUMBLE

Passage: Matthew 11:20-30

Key verse: 29

NIV

Woe on Unrepentant Towns(A)

20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!(B) For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon,(C) they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.(D) 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.(E) 23 And you, Capernaum,(F) will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.[a](G) For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”(H)

The Father Revealed in the Son(I)

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father,(J) Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.(K) 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

27 “All things have been committed to me(L) by my Father.(M) No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.(N)

28 “Come to me,(O) all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.(P) 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,(Q) for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.(R) 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”(S)

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 11:23 That is, the realm of the dead
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Woe to Unrepentant Cities

20 (A)Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 (B)“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in (C)Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 (D)But I tell you, it will be more bearable on (E)the day of judgment for (F)Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, (G)Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to (H)Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 (I)But I tell you that (J)it will be more tolerable on (K)the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest

25 (L)At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, (M)Lord of heaven and earth, that (N)you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and (O)revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your (P)gracious will.[a] 27 (Q)All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son (R)except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone (S)to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 (T)Come to (U)me, all who labor and are (V)heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and (W)learn from me, for I am (X)gentle and lowly in heart, and (Y)you will find rest for your souls. 30 For (Z)my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 11:26 Or for so it pleased you well
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Jesus' rebuke (2

-27)

Jesus performed most of his healing miracles in the towns of Galilee for Jewish people who were waiting for the Messiah. However, most people in these cities remained indifferent to Jesus. Jesus severely rebuked them, warning that on judgment day it would be more bearable for the wicked Gentile cities than for them. Still, Jesus could praise God even when many people's hearts were hard because he understood God's will. God reveals himself not to the worldly wise and proud, but to those who are humble enough to welcome Jesus.

2. Jesus' universal invitation (28-3

)

Jesus knew that living in a sinful world-and struggling with our own sinful desires-makes us weary and burdened. The good news is that Jesus freely offers true rest to anyone who comes to him. Jesus can give us rest in fellowship with him because he is humble. The yoke of being Jesus' disciple seems strange to this world, but the more we learn from Jesus and become like him, the more we find inner rest and peace.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace of revealing yourself to the humble. I want to learn from Jesus how to have true rest for my soul.

One Word: Come to humble Jesus for rest.