I noticed in this first verse that Jesus’ ministry takes a turn. Prior to this he was healing and doing miracles, and commanding his disciples. But now he turns to teaching and preaching….
Mat 11:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
Although it is interesting he does speak about previously preaching……..
Mat 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
Gill writes:
and the poor have the Gospel preached them; by “the poor” are meant, either the preachers of the Gospel; for so the words may be rendered, “the poor preach the Gospel”: and such were the apostles of Christ; they were poor with respect to the things of this world; they were chiefly fishermen; and, with respect to human literature, they were unlearned men, had no stock or furniture of acquired learning, and were mean, abject, and contemptible, in the sight and opinion of men;
and yet Christ called, qualified, and sent them forth to preach the Gospel. Or else, the hearers of it are designed; who were also the poor of this world, made a very low figure in life, and had but a small share of knowledge and understanding, and so were despised, and reckoned as cursed by the Scribes and Pharisees:
or they were such, who were poor in spirit, or spiritually poor; who saw their spiritual poverty, bewailed and acknowledged it, and sought after the true riches of grace, and glory in Christ.
Now these, as they had the Gospel preached to them more fully and clearly, with more power and authority, and so as it never was before or since, so they “received” it, as Tremellius from the Syriac reads the text, readily and willingly, joyfully and gladly, with faith and love; and were, as it may be also rendered, “evangelized” by it, or thrown into a gospel mould and frame:
which may be said to be done, when a man has a spirit of liberty, in opposition to a spirit of bondage;
when he lives by faith on Christ alone; when his comforts do not spring from his works, but from Christ; when the love and grace of God influence his repentance and obedience; when a man has a spirit of meekness and of love to the saints, is of a forbearing and forgiving spirit: when he is desirous of performing all duties both to God and man, and yet depends upon none of them, but upon Christ alone, for salvation.
After some strong words of warning against those who have rejected him and not believed, Jesus ends Praying with these words of Comfort for his people.
Mat 11:25-30 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour 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.
I heard it said recently that Jesus is making the point that his Way of faith, is not like the Pharisees Way with its burden of the Law and particularly Man’s Commandments placed on the people.
I’ve begun listening to and studying about the Reformed Church doctrine of the Law and Gospel, how they are distinct yet integrated throughout the Bible, both the OT and NT. As I learn more about this I will try to comment.
I’m planning to read Mike Abendroft’s book;
