Matthew 11  As Jesus sends His disciples out to preach and minister, He continues to minister His own self.  John the Baptist's disciples come to question Jesus, " Are You the Expected One?"

Jesus' answer to John is, " Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over Me."

These words reflect the prophecy of Isaiah 35.   This is the description of Zion - the future Kingdom where the "glory of the Lord" and the "majesty of our God"  will be seen.  Isaiah tells of the "Highway of Holiness"  where only the redeemed will walk, where there will be everlasting joy and gladness.   This is the Kingdom of God.. and Jesus tells the disciples that they can see it and hear it!  Jesus commended John, but He says that those who enter "the kingdom of heaven" are greater than even John.

In verses 28-30, Jesus extends an open invitation to all to come into His Kingdom.. " Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and You shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My load is light."  

 The kingdom cannot be entered by violence.  It cannot be entered except by accepting the invitation that Jesus has extended. All authority and "all things" have been handed over to Jesus from the Father, the Lord of heaven and earth.  He calls us to repentance and to submission to His yoke - His authority.

Matthew Henry writes this.. "Christ invites all to come to him for rest to their souls. He alone gives this invitation,  men come to him, when, feeling their guilt and misery, and believing his love and power to help, they seek him in fervent prayer. Thus it is the duty and interest of weary and heavy-laden sinners, to come to Jesus Christ. This is the gospel call; Whoever will, let him come. All who thus come will receive rest as Christ's gift, and obtain peace and comfort in their hearts. But in coming to him they must take His yoke and submit to his authority. They must learn of him all things, as to their comfort and obedience. He accepts the willing servant, however imperfect his services."  The way of Jesus will require self-denial.. but "it is a yoke that is lined with love." Henry writes.  It is a pleasant yoke. It will encourage us and console us.  We will find that "The way of duty is a way of rest."

Father in heaven, we rejoice in the truth of Your Word and in the wonder of Your Kingdom, given to us through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We come in His name to offer our thanks and our worship.  We  pray for the good news of Your Kingdom to be heard and seen in our country today.  We pray for those whose hearts have been veiled, that You would shine the Light upon them and that their ears would be opened to hear the invitation of Jesus, and that they would come to Him and enter His rest.  I pray this for my own family members who are still lost and without the Truth.  In the name of Jesus, the Lord of all. Amen.