Note.—This lesson section includes Matthew 11, verses 2 to 30. In connection with the study of the lesson read Luke 19:41–48. The record now goes back a little to bring in a new element or new method in the teachings of Jesus. Following close upon the heels of the proclamation of the kingdom and the call to repentance, comes this note of warning and of judgment. “From this time onward these warnings grow more and more terrible to the close of His ministry. See Luke 11:39–54; 13:1–5; 16:15, and their strongest and most terrible expression in Matthew chapter 23.”—Abbott. Read also the warnings of the most important event in this world’s history as contained in the fourteenth chapter of Matthew. The teacher should make plain that these warnings are not given for the purpose of condemning men, but that men, through them, may seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
20 “Then began He to upbraid the cities wherein most of His 21 mighty works were done, because they repented not. Wo unto thee, Chorazin! wo unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 Howbeit I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you. 23 And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted unto heaven? thou shalt go down unto Hades; for if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in thee, it would have remained until this day. 24 Howbeit I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. 25 “At that season Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes: yea, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in thy sight. 26 All things have been delivered unto Me of My Father, and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him. 28 Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
Golden Text: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) After speaking of the attitude of the people toward Himself and John, what did the Saviour begin to do? Verse 20. (2) Why did He do this? Same verse. (3) Upon what two cities did He pronounce wo? Verse 21. (4) What comparison did He make between them and two Gentile cities? Same verse. Note 1. (5) What did He say of the condition of these cities in the day of judgment? Verse 22. (6) What did the Saviour say of the city of Capernaum? Verse 23. (7) With what city did He compare it? Same verse. (8) What contrast would these two cities show? Same verse. Note 2. (9) What would be the comparative conditions of these two places in the judgment? Verse 24. (10) For what did the Saviour at this time thank the Father? Verse 25. Note 3. (11) Why was the Saviour thankful that such was the case? Verse 26. (12) With what had the Father intrusted Him? Verse 27. (13) What does Christ say of man’s knowledge of Him? Same verse. (14) Who only know the Father? Same verse. Note 4. (15) What universal invitation does the Saviour then extend? Verse 28. (16) What does He ask them to do? Verse 29. (17) What reason does Christ give why men should take His yoke and learn of Him? Same verse. (18) What blessed experience will those have who accept this invitation? Same verse. (19) What is the nature of the yoke and burden which Christ lays upon His followers? Verse 30. Note 5.
NOTES.
1. Wo unto thee.—This was not a wishing of wo upon these cities, neither was the wo to come in consequence of this declaration. Christ simply stated what would be the actual consequence of the course which they were taking. It is not known just where Chorazin was situated, but it is believed to be not far from the Sea of Galilee. Bethsaida was located on both sides of the mouth of the Jordan. Tyre and Sidon were cities of Phoenicia on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. In the time of Christ Tyre was an important commercial center, being probably next to Jerusalem in size. The Saviour’s words in respect to these four cities show that the most hopeless cases are not among those who have fallen low in sin and are regarded as outcasts.
2. It would have remained.—While this shows on the14one hand the power of Christ to check sin and to save from sin, it shows on the other hand the extent and intensity of Christ’s work for the inhabitants of the unrepentant city of Capernaum. It would seem from the reading of the Revised Version that the inhabitants of Capernaum had an exalted idea of their own influence and importance. Such an idea, whether entertained by an individual or a multitude, is the certain precursor of disaster, and if persisted in, eternal death.
3. Thou didst hide these things.—The things which Christ was teaching to the world at that time and to us now,—the truths of His Gospel. They are not hidden, and will not be hidden, from those who in humility of heart seek for them with due appreciation of their worth. They are hidden, and will remain hidden, from those who have exalted ideas of their own wisdom and prudence, who depend upon their own great learning or philosophy for an understanding of the spiritual things of God. God does not hide them for the purpose of keeping them hidden, but that men should not have in them an occasion for their own glorification. In accordance with this are the words of Paul in 1 Cor. 1:26–29: “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called; but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; . . . that no flesh should glory in His presence.”
4. He to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal Him.—Christ’s purpose in coming to the earth was to reveal the Father in His own life, that through God’s great love men might be drawn to Him. Christ says (John 17:3): “And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” And He came that we “might have life,” and that we might have it “more abundantly:” therefore the revealing of the Father was necessary. Christ “willeth” to reveal the Father to every one who realizes his need of Him; to every one who truly accepts the invitation to come to Him; but only through Christ does that revelation take place.
5. My yoke is easy.—It is easy because Christ Himself is in the yoke. Christ’s burden does not crush us. It is like the string to the kite, without which the kite could not rise. It is not one grievous to be borne; but he who has the largest has the lightest heart.
