Ep. 229. Matthew 11 | Come to Me All Who Are Weary

EPISODE 229

COME TO ME ALL WHO ARE WEARY: MATTHEW 11

We have already seen that sometimes a lot of time can pass between chapters. In some places in the Old Testament, a hundred years or more pass in that little space on the page between the chapters in our Bibles. In the case of Matthew 11 we can see that this chapter takes place immediately on the heels of chapter 10, not just as it is placed in our Bible, but also in the actual timeline of events. "When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities." The feel of the text is that the disciples have been sent into the harvest while Jesus continues his teaching and preaching ministry.

Twice in this narrative Jesus quotes Malachi and points it to John the Baptist as the fulfilment. As you know by now, my favorite part of this text comes in the last three verses. "Come to me, all 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." Jesus invited his audience to rest in him. It is a beautiful rest. Those Jews who had been so beleaguered by the Law of Moses now had hope in Jesus. Where the Law had failed to supply life and righteousness, they had been found in Christ.

ADDITIONAL READING: Isaiah 61:1-3; Malachi 3:1; Malachi 4:5; Jeremiah 9:17-20; Matthew 23:4; Matthew 5:48