RESPONSES TO JOHN AND JESUS

Matthew 11: 7-30

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. In the latter part of Matt. 11 we see the responses of the     
      people to John the Baptist and Jesus.
   B. Those same reactions continue to be prevalent in people today.

I. CONSIDER, FIRST, THE PEOPLE'S REACTIONS TO JOHN.
   A. Some were simply curiosity seekers. Matt. 11:7-9a
      1. They were not going out to hear the word of God preached,
         but simply to see this unusual man.
      2. John came in all the ruggedness of some of the old prophets.
         Matt. 3:1-3
   B. Jesus showed that John was more than a prophet. Matt. 11:9b-10
      1. He was God's messenger to prepare the way for the
         Messiah. Mal. 3:1; 4:5-6
      2. Jesus showed His disciples that John was that Elijah who
         was to come. Matt. 17:10-13
   C. Many received John at first, but the demanding nature of his
      message caused them to soon spurn him. Matt. 11:18
      1. This also happened to Jesus. John 6:66
         a. Jesus was not talking about literally eating his flesh   
            and drinking his blood. John 6:53-56
            (1) As food is eaten and digested, Jesus must be
                ingested and absorbed.
         b. These things could not be understood by the carnally
            minded.
         c. They should have stayed with Jesus, because there is no
            one else. John 6:68-69
   D. Jesus showed that the generation of His day was like little
      children who could not be pleased. Matt. 11:16-20
      1. Jesus said that wisdom is justified by her children.
      2. The children of wisdom can see the good in the lives of both
         John and Jesus.

II. JESUS REBUKES THE PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THEIR UNWILLINGNESS TO       
   REPENT. Matt. 11:20-24
   A. His "mighty works" proved who He was, and by the authority of
      who He was, He was telling the people to repent or perish. Luke
      13:1-5
   B. Jesus showed that other cities would have repented if they     
      would have had the same might works done in them.
      1. Tyre and Sidon were destroyed because of their slave trade
         and their building of wealth. Amos 1:9-10; Zech. 9:2-3
      2. Sodom and Gomorah were destroyed because of their
         immorality. Gen. 19:24-25
      3. Jesus said that those cities would have repented if mighty
         works had been done in them, but the cities of His day were
         not repenting.
         a. Chorazin and Capernaum had greater opportunities than
            those cities.
   C. Refusal to repent will bring wrath in the day of judgment.     
      Matt. 11:22,24
      1. God now commands all men everywhere to repent. Acts
         17:30
      2. How could one refuse to repent in the face of the
         overwhelming flood of evidence?
         a. The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to
            all.
      3. If God did not spare others who sinned, he will not spare us
         if we refuse to repent. 2 Pet. 2:4-10a
         a. All of this is one sentence, and teaches that if God did
            not spare those who sinned, He will not spare us.

III. JESUS IS THANKFUL, REGARDING THOSE WHO TRULY UNDERSTAND. Matt.  
   11:25-27
   A. "At that time," while the words of judgment were still in their
      minds, Jesus gives words of encouragement.
   B. The pure and childlike, those free from prejudice, will hear   
      and understand the words of Jesus.
      1. Those who are wise in their own conceits will not accept the
         simple truth of the gospel.
      2. Unless we are converted and become as little children, we
         will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 18:3-4
   C. The correct knowledge of the Father comes only through Jesus
      Christ. Matt. 11:27
      1. By this exclusive claim of the knowledge of the Father,     
         Jesus asserts His own Divinity.

IV. JESUS INVITES ALL TO COME TO HIM. Matt. 11:28-30
   A. The word "come" implies an invitation; no one is forced to     
      come. Rev. 22:17
      1. All must come to Christ in obedience to Him. Heb. 5:9
   B. All who "labor and are heavy laden" are invited to come.
      1. Do you have a job that is far from pleasant? Have you lost
         your job or about to lose your job? Are you having bad
         financial problems? Are you grieving over the death of a
         loved one which has given you that empty, lonely feeling?
         Do you have a son or daughter that needs help? Are you
         suffering from a debilitating disease of some sort? Are you
         suffering from the aches, pains, and loneliness of old age?
         Have you been sorely disappointed in someone you trusted?
         Are you disappointed with yourself, suffering under the
         burden of guilt? Is your marriage far from what it ought to
         be? Are you going through the pains of a divorce? Have you
         been through the pains of a divorce? Have you been through
         the pain of your parents getting a divorce? Has one or more
         of your children greatly disappointed you? Have your parents
         greatly disappointed you? Are you discouraged by the way
         you have been treated by some brother or sister? Are you
         discouraged because of church problems? Do you have an
         addiction to drugs, smoking, or alcohol? Are you suffering
         because a family member or friend has an addiction problem?
         Are you discouraged because you are not the kind of
         Christian you aught to be? Do you feel that you are not
         appreciated by your family, or your brethren? Are you
         laboring under the burden of sin?
         a. Come to Jesus and he will give you rest!
   C. Jesus said, "Take My yoke upon you."
      1. Those who come under the yoke of Jesus have the better
         way of life.
      2. Though it is called a "yoke," it is not heavy or burdensome.
   D. Jesus said, "For I am gentle and lowly in heart."
      1. We have a great, wonderful Savior.
         a. He bore our sins upon the cross. 1 Pet. 2:24-25
         b. His goodness leads us to repentance. Rom. 2:4
         c. He is fully able and capable to save all those who come
            to him. Heb. 7:25 
         d. He is not one who cannot sympathize with our
            weaknesses. Heb. 4:15
   E. Jesus added, "And I will give you rest...You will find rest for
      your souls."
      1. The benefits for accepting the invitation are:
         a. Rest from the guilt and burden of sin. Matt. 1:21; John
            1:29
         b. Rest from the pain of an evil conscience. Heb. 9:14;
            10:22
         c. Rest from some terrible addiction. Gal. 5:1
         d. Rest from the bondage that men often place others in. 2
            Pet. 2:19
         e. Rest from the traditions and doctrines of men which
            often lay heavy burdens upon men. Col. 2:20-23
         f. Rest from the fear of death. Heb. 2:14-15
         g. And eventually, rest in the eternal home. Heb. 4:9-11;
            Rev. 14:13 

Concl.
   A. Thus, in Matt. 11, we note the responses of the people         
      regarding John and Jesus.
      1. That generation was like spoiled children who could not be
         pleased.
      2. Instead of seeing good, they saw evil in both John and      
         Jesus.
      3. The children of wisdom see otherwise.
   B. Jesus upbraided the cities of Chorazin and Capernaum because of
      their unwillingness to repent.
      1. However, in the midst of words of judgment Jesus gives
         encouragement.
      2. It is those with the humble spirit who will hear and
         understand.
   C. Jesus then gives a beautiful, poetical invitation for all to   
      come to Him.
      1. Let us take Christ's yoke upon us and continue to faithfully
         follow him.
      2. It brings rest to our souls now, and in the end, it will    
         bring eternal rest.
   D. A refusal to repent will only bring destruction.