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Matthew Chapter Eleven
Greater Than John The Baptist? (11:11)
INTRODUCTION
1. At the height of His earthly ministry, Jesus was approached by two disciples of John the Baptist - Mt 11:1-6 a. John was in prison, and had sent the two disciples to Jesus b. Perhaps troubled by his own imprisonment, he wanted affirmation that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the Coming One c. Jesus pointed to His works, and spoke of the blessedness of those not offended because of Him 2. Jesus used this opportunity to tell the multitudes about John the Baptist - Mt 11:7-10 a. That he was not some easily shaken reed or man in soft clothing, but a prophet b. Indeed, he was the prophet foretold by Isaiah and Malachi - Isa40:3; Mal 3:1; 4:5
3. But then Jesus made two remarkable statements - Mt 11:11 a. First, that no one had been greater than John the Baptist b. Second, that one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he! 4. It is the second statement that has perplexed many... a. For the kingdom of heaven is the church that was about to be established b. And in the church there are many people who do not seem to measure up to a man like John the Baptist! -- How can any of us be greater than he? [When we know the answer, it should fill us with humility and gratitude, and encourage us to greater dedication in our service to theLord. Before we consider the answer, let's review...] I. THE GREATNESS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
A. HE WAS GREAT AS A MAN... 1. Enduring a life of austerity, with voluntary simplicity - Lk 1:80; Mt 3:4 2. He showed courage before king Herod, condemning his unlawful marriage - Mt 14:3-4 3. He possessed humility, showing deference at the height of his own ministry to a New Comer - Jn 1:19-37; 3:22-30 B. HE WAS GREAT AS A PROPHET... 1. His influence brought people throughout Judea into the desert - Mt 3:1-2,5 2. They were moved to be baptized and confess their sins - Mt 6:6 3. Yet He did not weaken his message to accommodate his audience - Mt 6:7-8 C. HE WAS GREAT IN PREPARING THE WAY FOR CHRIST... 1. Such was his particular mission - Mt 3:3; 11:9-10 2. And when Jesus came, he pointed people to Him - Jn 1:29,34-36;3:30,36
a. "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of theworld!"
b. "I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God." c. "He must increase, but I must decrease." d. "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life..." [In light of his mission, and the faithful manner in which he carriedit out, no one had arisen greater than John (not even Moses, Elijah,etc., though they might be consider "as great as" John). But again, Jesus says that the least in the kingdom is "greater" thanJohn. How can that be...?] II. THE GREATNESS OF THOSE IN THE KINGDOM
A. WE ENJOY GREATER KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST... 1. John's limited knowledge of Christ is implied by his question - Mt 11:2-3 a. He had not seen what Jesus' disciples had seen b. He had not heard what Jesus' disciples had heard - cf. Mt 13:16-17
2. Through the further teaching of Christ and His apostles... a. We know the wonderful story of the cross! b. We know the nature of the kingdom, its establishment, its future glory! c. We know "many things" which even Jesus Himself had not taught His apostles until after the Holy Spirit was sent! - cf. Jn 16:12-13 -- Even "he who is least in the kingdom" knows things about Jesus and His church that John did not know! B. WE ENJOY A GREATER STATION IN THIS LIFE... 1. John was not in the kingdom of heaven (or church) during his life a. He proclaimed it was "at hand" - Mt 3:1-2 b. Jesus and His apostles were still preaching it as being "at hand" - Mt 10:7 c. Jesus would later speak of building His church - Mt 16:18 2. But with the establishment of the church, those who are in it... a. Have been translated into the kingdom of God 1:13; cf. Re 1:9
b. Have been made a royal priesthood and holy nation - 1 Pe2:9
-- John lived under the Old Covenant; even "he who is least inthe kingdom" lives under the New Covenant with its better
sacrifice, hope, and promises - He 7:9; 8:6 C. WE ENJOY GREATER PRIVILEGES... 1. John certainly enjoyed wonderful privileges a. He was filled with the Spirit from his mother's womb - Lk 1:15
b. Who certainly helped him fulfill his mission 2. But Jesus offers things which John did not have; e.g... a. A gift (or measure) of the Spirit that was not given until after Jesus was glorified - Jn 7:37-39 1) Something other than inspiration or miraculous powers, for many had enjoyed that before Jesus was glorified (ascended to heaven) 2) Because of the outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost, all who are saved have experienced "the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" - Ti 3:5-7
3) John was born of woman, but those in the kingdom are "born of the Spirit"! - cf. Jn 3:5 a) We therefore receive "the gift of the Spirit" - Ac 2:38
b) A gift that helps deliver one from the power of sin - cf. Ro 8:11-13 c) A gift not enjoyed by those under the Old Covenant - cf. Ro 7:14-8:4 b. The fellowship of the church, the body of Christ - Ro 12:5 1) Remember that John spent his life in the desert, and then in prison 2) He did not enjoy the blessings of fellowship available to the "least" in the kingdom 3) As promised by Jesus, we have a "hundred-fold" family members in this life, something John never had - Mk 10:28-30
-- Many other privileges peculiar to the New Covenant could be mentioned, all of which are enjoyed today by "he who is least in the kingdom"!
CONCLUSION
1. In at least three ways, then, we are "greater" than John the Baptist... a. In our knowledge of Jesus Christ b. In our station of life by being in Christ c. In our privileges offered by Jesus Christ 2. As per J. W. McGarvey: "We find from this passage that all true greatness arises from association, relation and contact with JesusChrist" (The Fourfold Gospel)
a. As the forerunner of Christ, John was as great as any other teacher, prophet, priest, lawgiver, and king b. As the beneficiaries of Christ, even the least of those in His kingdom are greater than he 3. Should this not fill us with humility, gratitude, and a desire to greater service? a. That Jesus would bestow such great blessings upon us? b. That we ought to be more dedicated in our service to Christ? 1) Producing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives 2) Nurturing and enjoying the fellowship of the family of God 3) Proclaiming the gospel of Christ and the kingdom in its fullness If John was so faithful in that which is less, should we not be morediligent when we have that which is more? "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him theywill ask the more." (Lk 12:48)
The Savior's Tender Invitation (11:28-30)
INTRODUCTION
1. In the text for our study today, we find a wonderful invitation extended by Jesus... "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 Myyoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
2. From heaven Jesus still offers this tender invitation; but do we really understand and appreciate... a. To whom Jesus extends this invitation? b. What He offers to those who will accept it? c. What He expects from those who desire to respond? d. The true ease of accepting this invitation? [These are some of the questions we shall consider as we examine whathas been called "The Savior's Tender Invitation"...] I. TO WHOM DOES JESUS EXTEND THIS INVITATION?
A. "ALL YOU WHO LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN..." 1. To those who are burdened by sin a. A burden which separates one from God - cf. Isa 59:1-2 b. A burden with terrible side effects 1) A lack of inner peace - Isa 48:22 2) Instead, one is burdened with anxiety, depression, fear and doubt 3) And rightly so, in view of the ultimate consequence of sin (spiritual death) - Ro 6:23a 2. This invitation, then, is really for everyone! a. For all are sinners! - Ro 3:23,10 b. And as such are in bondage to sin and its heavy burden - Jn 8:34 B. SADLY, MANY ARE TOO PROUD TO ADMIT THEIR BURDEN... 1. That they are sinners 2. That they are enslaved by sin and its burden 3. That they need Divine help to freed from the burden of sin [If you are not too proud to face the fact that you are a sinner andneed Divine help, then "The Savior's Tender Invitation" is especiallydesigned for you! But perhaps you wonder...] II. WHAT IS JESUS OFFERING?
A. "I WILL GIVE YOU REST...YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS" 1. Jesus is offering rest for our souls! 2. Souls which have been burdened by: a. The guilt of sin, which separates from God (i.e., legal guilt) b. The side effects of sin, such as anxiety, depression, fear and doubt (i.e., emotional guilt) B. JESUS OFFERS REST... 1. Which includes a removal of the guilt of sin! a. For by God's own love and grace, forgiveness of sin is now possible through Jesus - cf. Ro 5:8-9; 1 Jn 4:10; Ep 1:7 b. Through His own blood, Jesus frees us from the condemnation of sin - Ro 8:1 2. Which includes a removal of the side effects of sin! a. To have true rest for our souls, we need more than just forgiveness 1) For even those forgiven may be plagued by the side effects of sin 2) Having lived so long under the burden of sin, it may not be easy to lay aside those feelings which often accompany sin (e.g., anxiety, fear, doubt) b. Jesus certainly provides what our souls need... 1) To remove anxiety, Jesus offers peace to calm the troubled heart a) A peace unlike any that the world might give - Jn 14:27
b) A peace stronger than any tribulation the world might bring - Jn 16:33 c) A peace which guards our hearts and minds, and "surpasses all understanding" - Ph 4:7 2) To remove depression, Jesus offers joy to lift our spirits a) The same joy Jesus Himself had - Jn 15:11 b) A joy later described as "inexpressible" - 1 Pe 1:8 3) To remove fear, Jesus offers love which casts out fear - 1 Jn 4:18 a) The same love which exists between the Father and the Son - Jn 15:9 b) A love which "passes knowledge" - Ep 3:19 4) To remove doubt, Jesus offers hope for facing the future a) By assuring us of eternal life - Jn 11:25 b) By promising eternal rest to those who die in the Lord - Re 14:13 [I have not exhausted all that pertains to the wonderful rest Jesusoffers, but it is... * A rest from the burden of sin's guilt, and a rest from the burden of sin's side effects! * A rest for our burdened souls now, and eternal rest for our souls when we die! Incidentally, even physical burdens are made lighter by coming to Jesus, because the soul is made stronger to bear them! This sounds wonderful, but...] III. WHAT DOES JESUS EXPECT OF THOSE WHO WISH TO RESPOND?
A. "COME TO ME..." 1. This is easy, even though Jesus is "King of kings and Lord of lords" 2. For as He says, "I am gentle and lowly in heart" a. He is so gentle, children felt comfortable in His presence (cf. Mt 18:2) b. He is so lowly in heart, the common people heard Him gladly (cf. Mk 12:37) -- As prophesied, Jesus would be tender and sensitive to our needs ("A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax Hewill not quench" - Isa 42:3; Mt 12:20)
B. "TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU..." 1. "In Jewish literature a 'yoke' represents the sum-total of obligations which, according to the teaching of the rabbis,a person must take upon himself." - William Hendriksen
(Matthew, New Testament Commentary) 2. Jesus is therefore expecting those who desire the rest He offers to: a. Accept His teachings b. Accept whatever obligations He would lay upon you C. "...AND LEARN FROM ME" 1. This is how we learn what obligations He would place upon us 2. We must be willing to listen to Him, and do whatever He says - cf. Lk 6:46-49 [In essence, "The Savior's Tender Invitation" is a call to discipleship: to commit your life as a disciple of Jesus, committed to
learning from Him and accepting the obligations He places upon you (i.e., "His yoke"). This might prompt one to ask...] IV. HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO ACCEPT THIS INVITATION?
A. AS JESUS TAUGHT ELSEWHERE, IT DOES REQUIRE... 1. That we observe all that He commanded - Mt 28:19-20 2. That we abide in His doctrine (teaching) - Jn 8:31 B. BUT AS STATED HERE, "MY YOKE IS EASY AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT" 1. John, who was a disciple for over fifty years, said: "Hiscommandments are not grievous" - 1 Jn 5:3
2. What helps lighten our burden is the strength Jesus Himself gives - Ph 2:12-13; 4:13 -- Certainly the burden Jesus places upon us is lighter than the burden sin lays upon us! CONCLUSION
1. Do you desire the rest for your soul that is offered by "The Savior's Tender Invitation"?
a. Then come to Jesus in full obedience to His gospel b. Commit to becoming His disciple, learning from Him all that He commanded 2. As suggested in Mt 28:19-20, this life of discipleship begins with baptism... a. For in baptism we put on Christ - Ga 3:27 b. For in baptism we rise to walk in newness of life - Ro 6:3-4 As one rises from the watery grave of baptism, they are freed from theburden of sin through the precious blood of Christ. As they continueto observe all that He commanded, their burden becomes even lighter asthey apply to their lives the wisdom Jesus taught. Have you accepted the yoke of Jesus? Are you living under that yoke?
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