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February 1930
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March 2, 1930 Jesus Teaching About Himself Lesson: Matthew 11:2-12:50. (Lesson Text: Matt. 11:2-6, 25:30). Golden T ex t: “ Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). * * * . L esson in O utline 1. Jesus and John (2-6). 1. John’s question— “Art thou he that cometh?” (3). 2. Jesus’ answer (4-6). a. His credentials—Blind see, lame walk, lepers are cleansed, dead are raised (4, 5). b. His appeal for faithfulness (6). II. Jesus and the Father (25-27). 1. Thanksgiving after a wail o f sor row (cf.T l:21 ). 2. Thanksgiving because a. “Babes” believe on Him. b. He rests in the Father’s will. c. He has authority from the Fa ther. III. Jesus and Sinners (28-30). 1. Invitation— “ Come unto me." 2. Command—H r ake my yoke . . • ■learn of. me.” 3. Promises— I will give you rest . . . ye , shall find rest.” * * * • A pproach to the L esson AFTER describing the journey of our * * Lord throughout Galilee, with its at tendant'miracles and teaching (chap. 9), Matthew gives an account of the sending of the Twelve (chap. 10). In chapter 11 he begins the story o f the deepening darkness which was gathering about Jesus through the increased hostility of Jewish leaders. He begins by telling of John the Baptist’s embassy sent from his prison to inquire if He was really “the coming one.” He next narrates the dis courses that followed, including His com mendation of John (vs. 7-15), His rebuke of the unreasonable people (vs. 16-19), and His announcement of the doom of the cities which had rejected Him (vs. 20-24). The “wise and intelligent” had set themselves against Jesus. Matthew, having made this clear, closes the story with the shout of the victorious Lord as He thanks-the Father for the “babes” who have come to Him and taken His yoke. * * * ; H eart of the L esson ":.Li ‘/(Jesus,find John (2-6). ti I'-jfc 2ft iJn the prison. According to Jo- iSephafef. John the Baptist was a prisoner
in the fortress of Macherus, by the Dead Sea (cf. 4:12). Had heard. His confine
edged that'His present situation was not a tragic mistake. Luke adds that He “re joiced in the Holy Spirit” (Luke 10:21). Lord o f heaven and earth. An appropriate address. The Sovereign of the universe always does right . Thou hast hid. Blind ness was inflicted by a judicial act of God, but not apart from the wilfulness of those who refused to see (cf. John 12: 37-40). Wise and understanding. A phrase to be applied especially to the scribes and Pharisees. They were the appointed teach ers of divine wisdom but had miserably failed. Didst reveal . . . unto babes. The truth was grasped, not by those versed in rabbinical lore but by those who had a child’s simplicity and docility (cf. 1 Cor. 1 :26-29). Prejudice blinded the “wise” (cf. John 7:48). The Holy Spirit reveals the truth to “babes” in Christ (1 Cor. 1:18-20). V. 26. Even so. A simple word in the Greek, frequently translated “yea.” Jesus was saying a glad “Yes” to the will of God. It was well pleasing. There was ‘a double reason for His calmness. He ad mitted the propriety of God’s revelation to “babes” rather than to the “wise” ; He submitted to the Father’s will. No anx iety could pierce that double shield. ,V. 27. All things . . . delivered unto me. The worshiper now becomes the teacher. He claims authority as the sole instructor o f men in the knowledge of God. It is also true that as High Priest on His Father’s throne He has all author ity in heaven and ' earth (Matt. 28:18). No One kn’oweth the Son. He is no or dinary human teacher ; therefore the “wise” cannot understand Him ; but the Father knows Him fully. Know the Fa ther. That real knowledge of God which is eternal life (John 17:3) is possible only to the Son and to those who receive His revelation. The Son. An expression used but few times in the first three Gospels (cf. Mark 13:32; Luke 10:22), but-fre- quently in the Gospel o f John. He is the same divine Christ in all the Gospels, some critics to the contrary notwithstand ing. V. 28. Come unto me. Literally, “Hither to me,” expressing a hearty invitation which expects an immediate responsë. All ye. Probably a large company was present. Labor . . . heavy laden. The burden of seeking and o f never finding the truth is known by the majority of earth’s inhabitants: The Jewish teachers demanded that mèn- should toil labdrious- ly in keeping thé ceremonial law and the traditions o f the elders—a grievous yoke (cf. Matt. 23:4; Acts 15:10). I will give you rest. The pronoun “ I” is emphatic. The force is, “ Others burden you, I will rest you.” V.' 29: ' Take my yoke. As if to say, “ Cast off-the yoke of the law, becofne my disciples, learn from me.” Learning from Christ is far more than merely following His example. I am meek and lowly.
ment h a d relaxed enough so that he could communicate with friends. His disciples had doubt less heard reports about J e s u s (cf. Luke 7 :16-18) and had also had some
direct contact with Him (Matt. 9:14). IVorks of. Christ. Matthew usually uses the simple name Jesus. The change to Christ (Messiah) here is an implied an swer to John’s question. The “works” were especially His miracles, but His teaching is also included. V. 3. Art thou he that cometh? Lit erally, “Thou, art thou the coining one?” The title “coming one” had become fa miliar (cf. Matt. 3 :li, 12; 9:23, 29; John 6:14; 11:27). John had announced His coming (John 3:11) and had had satisfy ing evidence that Jesus was the Messiah (John 1:23, 29, 34). Long imprisonment (perhaps a year) had sapped his courage and given him a “prison mood.” His temporary wavering was but natural.- Was Jesus in some respects a disappoint ment to him ? Had he looked for a stern judge (John 3:11-15) rather than a com passionate Saviour? .Was he perplexed that Jesus did not come to his rescue? Was he in doubt because the' sort of kingdom he had expected had not ar rived? These and other like' questions can be raised but are not easily answered. V. 4. Tell John. They .were given noth ing new to report—only what they had often seen and heard and were still seeing and hearing (cf. Luke 7:21). He points to miracles and teaching—j ust such things as were predicted of Messiah (cf. Isa. 35:5, 6; 42:6, 7.; 61 :l-3). V. 5. The blind receive . . . sight (cf. Matt. 9:27-30). The lame walk (cf. Matt. 15:30, 31). Lepers are cleansed (cf. Matt. 8:2-4). Deaf hear (cf. Mark 7: 32-35). Dead are raised (cf. Matt. 9:23- 25; Luke 7:11-18). The daughter of Jairus had been raised just before John’s disciples were sent. The poor have the gos pel (cf. Matt. 5:3; 9:10-13, 36; Isa. 61:1). The crowd, or rabble, received little con sideration from Israel’s teachers (cf. John 7 :49). V. 6. Blessed is he. They are for tunate, supremely happy, who do not stumble because pf Jesus (cf. Isa. 8:14, 15). The language implies that but few did not stumble—even John wavered for a moment, but was doubtless reassured (cf. Matt. 11:7-12; 17:12; 21:25, 32). II. Jesus and the Father (25-27). V. 25. A t that time. On the occasion of the visit ,of John’s disciples. Answered. Hebrew idiom allows the use of this word where there has been no direct question but where.one inay be implied. I thank thee. Or, I praise thee. Jesus-acknowl
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