Believing when others don't believe (Part 2)

Rev Enoch Thompson | APRIL 15, 2023 | Matthew 11:28-30

KEY VERSE:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

When opportunities exist for our greatest welfare, we cannot blame others who failed to make use of them, as the reason why we should not engage those opportunities for our development and progress. The statements of the Lord Jesus in our text for today must be read with the unbelief of Bethsaida, Korazin and Capernaum at the back of our minds. In the context of their unbelief, the Sovereign Lord of the Kingdom of God invites the reader to ‘ ²⁸"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV).

In a world where unbelief and lack of submission to the revelation about God are on the rise, even in fulfilment of the divine prediction (2 Tim. 3:1-5), the call goes out over the waters to your soul and mine to come to the Lord Jesus, and to seek our self-definition and restful satisfaction in Him. Christ announces the new Sabbath, the new eternal day of rest which begins in this life and will continue into eternity. Finding meaningful life and having a satisfying abundant life (John 10:10) are in the package that the Saviour offers us. We are called in because of and in spite of the burden of our labour under the taskmaster of the human soul, Satan. Sin-sick souls, Jesus would receive, and heal us with the balm of Gilead.

The Lord Jesus offers us a new yoke and a new life. To choose between the yoke of slavery to sin and Satan, or to become a willing slave to the loving heavenly Master; either way, the human soul must bear a yoke, and we must choose the yoke of Christ, for the yoke of Christ is easier than to bear the yoke of Satan. We are called to and must believe when others refuse to believe. The benefits of commitment to the Lordship of Christ Jesus far outweigh any pain we encounter as a consequence of that wisest choice.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Have you bowed at the foot of the cross where Jesus died for you? Have you come to Him for the cleansing by His blood and being touched by His healing hands? There is a wonderful life that begins now when we come in response to the holy invitation.

If you have decided to believe in the Lordship of Jesus Christ, walk boldly and confidently in His service. You owe no apologies for the unbelief of others.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to you in total trust for my journey through Earth to Heaven. Please help me to “see you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more nearly, day by day.” For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!