TEACHING NOTES Introduction Today we’re going to cover a popular passage from the teachings of Jesus: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). But many readers of the Bible may not realize that this teaching is actually part of a prayer. And this prayer is actually a teaching about prayer. ‌ Matthew 11:25–26 25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.” ‌ Father, Lord of heaven and earth = Jesus taught us to call the Lord of heaven and earth our Father. The God who is Lord of heaven and earth desires to have a fatherly relationship with humanity. ‌ Hidden from the wise = Those who think they know and understand everything already will find that God seems hidden from them. The first step in learning anything is admitting that you don’t know. ‌ Revealed them to little children = Who did Jesus choose to be His first disciples? It was not the religious elite nor the political elite. Jesus chose people of low social status who were not trained by the religious elite. He chose people who were lowly and rejected by the elite class. This was intentional and genius because the disciples were ready to learn something different. ‌ Matthew 11:27 “27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” ‌ All things have been handed over to me = The Greek word for “handed over” is paradidomi, which means “delivered or entrusted.” Jesus is King over all things because the Father has delivered and entrusted everything to Jesus. ‌ No one knows the Father = At the time of Jesus’ ministry, the Jewish religion was very divided about the Scriptures and the character of God (the Father). Jesus reveals this by saying “no one knows the Father except the Son.” Although the Jewish leaders thought they knew God and His character, they didn’t know God at all. ‌ Whom the Son chooses to reveal him = The only humans who truly know God are those who listen to the teachings of Jesus. Jesus chose twelve disciples and revealed the Father to them through His teaching and way of life. But Jesus also revealed the Father to anyone who would listen. ‌ Matthew 11:28–30 “28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” ‌ Come to me = Grk. deute pros ego - Literally, “keep on coming to me.” Many people come to Jesus for salvation and only come back to Him again when they want or need something. But being a disciple of Jesus requires that we continually come to Him for all things. Jesus talks about us coming to Him in John 7:37 “Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.’” and in John 6:37 “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” ‌ All who labor = Grk. pantes hoi kopiontes - all who are weary from one’s own effort or life choices. This phrase can also refer to those who are losing heart and emotionally tired and discouraged. ‌ Heavy laden = Grk. pephortismenoi - heavy burdened by things brought onto us. The previous phrase “all who labor” is about what we are choosing to do. “Heavy laden” is a passive verb, which refers to things that happen to us. In context, Jesus is likely referring to the heavy burden of man-made rules that the Pharisees forced on the people. This kept people in a constant state of weariness, guilt, and shame because no one could keep up with the rules. ‌ I will give you rest = Grk. hymas anapauso - revive, rest, quietness. The Greek verb anapauso is in active voice, meaning that this promise is ongoing or always available to us. It could be translated, “I will keep giving you rest.” The Sabbath was meant to give us a weekly day of rest and revival. In the very next story in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says that He is “Lord of the Sabbath” (Matt. 12:8). Jesus is claiming to be the source of rest and revival. ‌ Take my yoke upon you = A yoke was a heavy wooden crossbar used to connect two oxen together for more efficient plowing. Jesus invites us to get in His yoke with Him as He takes us through life and to the Father. The metaphor also indicates that Jesus is active on the ground with us in this world and is inviting us into His work. ‌ Learn from me = Jesus is using the yoke as a metaphor for His teaching in contrast to the teaching of the Pharisees. The teaching of the Pharisees was a heavy burden that felt oppressive because no one could live up to their man-made standards. Jesus invites us away from man-made religion and into His way of life. ‌ Gentle = Grk. praus - meek, considerate, not abrasive. While it is common for people to think of God as harsh and judgmental, Jesus presents a different picture. Jesus told Philip, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Therefore, if Jesus is gentle, merciful, and compassionate then so is the Father. ‌ Lowly = Grk. tapeinos - humble. While Jesus has every right to be proud and display His divinity, He chose to display humility. Why? Because Jesus is setting an example for His disciples to follow. ‌ Rest for your souls = The rest that Jesus is offering goes far beyond physical rest. Jesus is offering internal rest at the deepest level. ‌ My yoke is easy = The word “easy” here is not the best translation. The Greek word for “easy” here is chrestos, which actually means “kind, good, benevolent.” Jesus taught repeatedly that following Him is not easy (Matt. 10; 10:38; 16:24; Luke 14:27). ‌ My burden is light = Unlike the Pharisees who’s yoke was a heavy burden (“they tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders” Matt. 23:4), Jesus is offering a yoke that is light. ‌ 1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” ‌ Deuteronomy 30:11–14 “11 For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 14 But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.” ‌ Matt. 11:28-30 teaches us that we need physical and spiritual rest on a regular basis. Coming to Jesus continually in prayer is the way to find rest and revival. ‌ John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he is the one who bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” How to Respond Prayer: Ask God to reveal what needs to change. Repentance: Agree with God and repent of sin. Worship: Thank God for what He is doing in you. Communion: Take Christ in and renew faithfulness.