January 17, 2022

This is the Only Verse That Tells Us What Jesus is Like

Matthew 11

Robbie Rice
Monday's Devo

January 17, 2022

Monday's Devo

January 17, 2022

Central Truth

When Jesus tells us what animates Him most deeply, what is most true of Him—when He exposes the innermost recesses of His being—what we find there is: gentle and lowly.

Key Verse | Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all 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 my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Matthew 11

Messengers from John the Baptist

When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers 1 11:5 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man 2 11:8 Or Why then did you go out? To see a man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? 3 11:9 Some manuscripts Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,

‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
    who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, 4 11:12 Or has been coming violently and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, 5 11:15 Some manuscripts omit to hear let him hear.

16 But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

17  ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
    we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” 6 11:19 Some manuscripts children (compare Luke 7:35)

Woe to Unrepentant Cities

20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest

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. 7 11:26 Or for so it pleased you well 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. 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.”

Footnotes

[1] 11:5 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13
[2] 11:8 Or Why then did you go out? To see a man . . .
[3] 11:9 Some manuscripts Why then did you go out? To see a prophet?
[4] 11:12 Or has been coming violently
[5] 11:15 Some manuscripts omit to hear
[6] 11:19 Some manuscripts children (compare Luke 7:35)
[7] 11:26 Or for so it pleased you well

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Dive Deeper | Matthew 11

The central truth above is a quote from Dane Ortlund, the author of Gentle and Lowly—one of the best books I have read in my lifetime. He points out that in the four Gospel accounts given to us in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—89 chapters of biblical text—there's only one place where Jesus tells us about His own heart. And that is found in Matthew 11:29 of today's passage.

I don't know about you, but the two words gentle and lowly pique my interest, draw me in, and give me life. They communicate meekness, humility, and accessibility. I love that Jesus uses them as descriptors of His heart in the context of speaking to weary and burdened people whom He is inviting to experience rest, not necessarily physical rest, but rest for the soul—rest that only He can provide.  

Ortlund clarifies that "when Jesus says His yoke is easy, He is not saying life is free from hardship. The word translated 'easy' is the same word used elsewhere as 'kind,' as in, 'be kind to one another, tenderhearted.' (Ephesians 4:32) Consider what Jesus is saying. A yoke is the heavy crossbar laid on oxen to force them to drag farming equipment through the field. Jesus is using a kind of irony, saying that the yoke laid on His disciples is a non-yoke. For it is a yoke of kindness."

The invitation is to all who would come to Him. It is an open invitation to me and you. No requirements; weariness and burdens welcomed. His offer of rest to me is an invitation to learn from Him—to learn to lay aside my yoke, burdens, agenda, and step into the "kind" yoke and the light burden that He offers. But it all starts by choosing to believe about Him what He says is true about Himself: He is gentle and lowly of heart.

Discussion Questions

1. In what ways do you project onto Jesus a skewed image of who He is and His heart toward you?

2. What "yoke" of burdens are you carrying today that you need to lay aside and exchange for the yoke of Jesus?

3. Are you looking for a good book? I highly recommend Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane Ortlund.