Back in the days when people wrote letters on paper, put them in an envelope, and placed them in a mail box, there was a very special type of note called the invitation.
We still see these occasionally, and I like to encourage them because a written note is always more personal than a digital one.
But this type of note was different from the other mail that addresses would receive.
While the other letters were various sizes of rectangles—this letter would be square, which would make it stand out and knowing that it could be our invitation or a personal note would make it extra special.
The recipient would open it up and see the invitation to be included in a party, in a wedding, or maybe a get together at a friend’s house.
This morning as we open our Bibles to Matthew 11, we see the invitation to each of us to
“Come to [him], all who labor and are heavy laden, and [He] will give you rest…”
Do you need rest this morning?
In our fast paced world it seems as if we always need rest.
This morning, you may be carrying a heavy load. In every seat here there is a need. There may be a family member who is sick. There may be a decision that is weighing on you and you don’t know what you should do. Or, this may be a relationship problem that has developed and you don’t know how to piece it back together.
Jesus says;
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 ESV)
He gives us an invitation to come to him.
This morning, I want to take a few moments to speak about this glorious invitation by looking at this scripture. Jesus gives us many different invitations in the Bible.
To the disciples he says:
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”(Matthew 4:19, ESV)
To the child he says:
“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14, ESV)
To the church at Laodicea he says:
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. “(Revelation 3:20, ESV)
And in our passage this morning, he says to you and to me: “Come,… and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28, ESV)
It is a hidden invitation.
It is an exclusive invitation.
And
It is an open invitation.
The first aspect of the invitation from Jesus is that it is a hidden invitation.
Verse 25 reads;
“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;” (Matthew 11:25, ESV)
The invitation that Jesus extends is hidden from some and revealed to others.
Are you looking for this invitation this morning?
Are you looking in the right place?
Each morning, as I leave the house to go to work, I resemble a tornado. Nothing is where it should be, and everything I need is scattered throughout the house. Many days, I make several trips to the car as I remember the “something else” that I forgot. When I am completely stumped as to where an item was placed, I turn to my daughter, Mary Catherine, for the revelation of where my keys, glasses, wallet, or Bible is placed. Usually, she knows where it is without looking.
Some things are hidden from me, but revealed to a little child.
Jesus says;
“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;” (Matthew 11:25, ESV)
He says, “these things are hidden.” What things?
The truths of scripture are hidden. Look in Matthew 11:12-15, Jesus says;
From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. (Matthew 11:12-14, ESV)
The identity of John and Christ himself are hidden. Matthew 11:18-19, reads;
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.” (Matthew 11:18-19, ESV)
And the day of judgment is hidden. Matthew 11:20,
Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. (Matthew 11:20, ESV)
It is hidden from “the wise and understanding” and revealed to little children.
We, in America, place much emphasis on the educated.
We quote them whenever we wish to support our cause. We love to quote the “infamous they”.
“They” say this, and “they” say that.
But, be careful.
“They” say we evolved from monkeys;
“They” say the Bible is a book of fiction;
And “They” say God is dead.
Jesus says;
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; (Matthew 11:25, ESV)
Oh, praise God for the little children!
Praise God for the little ones who come home from Bible School to tell their mother, “God knows my name!”
And he does know our name.
Psalm 139 says
O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
(Psalm 139: 1-4, ESV)
And to you he says; “Come and I will give you rest.”
It is a hidden invitation, but it is also an exclusive invitation. Look with me at verse 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. (Matthew 11:27, ESV)
There are many ways that claim to reach God. But only one will allow you to reach your destination.
Last week, I decided to run on a new trail at Pocahontas State Park. I looked at the map before I got out of my car. I didn’t look at it as close as I should have, because the trusting my instincts, in the end, was not helpful. Once I started running, I ran on a wide road. I knew to watch for a certain color, but I don’t run with my glasses. So when I passed the marker, I already thought I knew the right way and that was another marker.
I completely missed the trail and ultimately, my destination.
Are you on the wrong path this morning?
You’ve been in church all your life, and you know all the right answers, however, you think you know a better way. But, the path to God is an exclusive one; Jesus gives an exclusive invitation. Jesus says;
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”(John 14:6, ESV)
Many say “You can’t claim that Jesus is the only way to God, what about the other religions?”
The difference between trusting Christ to lead you to and practicing in other religions is defined by God. We approach Him under his terms.
The Bible tells us that;
“…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”, (Romans 3:23, ESV)
We cannot approach God because of our sin.
We can try to do good, try to live right, but the bible tells us that we will fail. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has paid the price for our sin, blotting out our sin, so that we can approach God.
Only Jesus can blot out our sin.
Only through acceptance of Him and His payment can we have eternal life.
And you can accept his payment and you can place your trust in him this morning. Jesus offers a hidden invitation and an exclusive invitation.
He also offers an open invitation. Verse 28 says;
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 ESV)
Jesus says, “Come to me…and I will give you rest.”
Who of you do not work hard?
Who of you do not have heave burdens?
Each of us have those hurts in our lives, those responsibilities, and those struggles that sap our energy and questions our determination to continue to have faith at all.
Jesus calls all of those who labor and are heavy laden. And that includes you. And he will give your rest.
We all need rest.
In our fast paced society, we need rest. We are always pushing to do anything but rest. We self medicate with coffee, energy drinks, and as I saw in a recent MRE, caffeine pills. We sacrifice our sleep so that we can do more.
The June issue of Success magazine highlighted the need to recharge our energy in order to be successful. One of the key areas noted in one article centered on our need for rest.
The article noted:
“Adequate rest supports focus, and focus allows you to accomplish more during your workday. Poor sleep habits impair judgment (especially under pressure), increase irritability and slow thinking and impede memory. Sleep aids such as alcohol and medication can cause grogginess and potential addiction.”
We can all relate to the need for rest.
And Jesus says;
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 ESV)
Can trusting in Jesus really give you rest?
He challenges us to;
“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.” (Matthew 11:29, ESV)
And we need rest for our soul. Our souls are restless with worry, but Jesus tells us;
“…do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25, ESV)
Are you burdened this morning?
Is your mind distracted by the concerns of life?
Are you in turmoil over an illness, a family member, or your job?
Maybe you are lonely or afraid?
Maybe you are in trouble financially?
Maybe you are overwhelmed by the work that sits in your inbox at work?
Jesus says, Come.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 ESV)
It is a hidden invitation, it is an exclusive invitation, and it is an open invitation.
But it is an invitation to you.
This morning, right where you are, you have an opportunity to accept his invitation.
He extends an invitation to come to Him.
We come to Him because we are sinners—but “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, ESV)
He died to pay the penalty for our sin, for we deserve death and hell. When we accept his payment, we are given eternal life in heaven.
We can find true rest in Christ. He said; “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10, ESV) and that abundant life includes peace and rest.
Today, may be your last opportunity to accept this invitation. We don’t know what tomorrow holds.
Right where you sit, he invites you to call out to him and accept him by faith.
Christian, he invites you as well. He invites you to come to Him with your burdens. Place those burdens at his feet and allow Him to give you the rest that you need.
Today, we come to Him, will all of our labor and our heavy burdens and He will give us rest.
Let us pray.
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This sermon was preached at Memorial Chapel, Fort Lee, VA on 3July2011. All scripture marked ESV: The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Mt 28:16-20). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.