July 5, 2026 Sermon
Sermon Title: “I Will Give You Rest”
Scripture: Matthew 11:16-19 and 25-30
(Other lectionary suggestions include Genesis 24, Psalm 45:10-17, and Romans 7:15-25a.)
Matthew 11:16-19 and 25-30
16“But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, 17‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ 18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; 19the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
Jesus Thanks His Father
25At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27All 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 you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, 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.”
In today’s Scripture, we see what appears to be a frustrated Jesus. He criticizes those who are critical of John the Baptist. Some apparently thought John was too strict. But those who criticize John for being such an ascetic, also aren’t happy with Jesus, either. John is too strict, but Jesus eats and drinks like a normal person. What I think Jesus is saying is, “Look, you can’t have it both ways. If John is too strict and I am too liberal or libertine, which do you want?” The answer appears to be NEITHER. The people are really quite fickle, and that indecision on their part appears to be at the heart of Jesus’s frustration.
The following commentary comes from the website godsbless.ing and is from the Rev. Michael Johnson. Rev. Johnson is an experienced Church Minister with a profound expertise in spirituality and guidance. He has faithfully served his congregation for over 20 years.
Today’s scripture is about Jesus inviting all who are weary and burdened to come to him for rest and salvation, highlighting the rejection of the religious elite and the acceptance of the humble and faithful.
In Matthew Chapter 11, Jesus is addressing a crowd of people who have gathered to hear Him speak. The scene is set in a bustling marketplace in a small village, with vendors selling their goods and people going about their daily activities. The crowd consists of a mix of curious onlookers, religious leaders, disciples, and ordinary townspeople who have heard of Jesus’ teachings and miracles.
As Jesus begins to speak, He notices the skeptical and indifferent attitudes of some in the crowd. He uses a parable to illustrate their behavior, comparing them to children who are never satisfied no matter what is offered to them. Despite witnessing His miracles and hearing His teachings, some in the crowd remain unconvinced and refuse to believe in Him.
Jesus then shifts His focus to those who are willing to listen and learn from Him. He offers a message of hope and salvation to all who are weary and burdened, inviting them to come to Him for rest and peace. In this scene, Jesus is portrayed as a compassionate and loving teacher, reaching out to those who are willing to receive His message of grace and redemption.
What is Matthew 11:16-30 about? Jesus demonstrates a powerful contrast in this verse between those who refuse to acknowledge their mistakes and those who come to Him seeking solace and relief. Jesus is highlighting the importance of humility and accountability by rebuking the unrepentant cities. He is urging those who have strayed from the righteous path to acknowledge their wrongdoing and turn back to Him in repentance. This serves as a reminder that true growth and redemption can only come from a sincere desire to change and seek forgiveness.
On the other hand, Jesus offers rest to the weary and burdened, showing His compassionate and nurturing side. He invites those who are struggling and in need of comfort to come to Him for solace and relief. This gesture emphasizes Jesus’ role as a source of strength and support for those who are facing challenges and hardships. It is a reminder that no matter how heavy our burdens may be, we can always find peace and restoration in the loving embrace of Jesus.
So, as we reflect on this verse, let us consider our own actions and attitudes. Are we willing to confront our mistakes and seek forgiveness, or are we stubbornly holding onto our pride? Are we open to receiving help and comfort from Jesus when we are weary and burdened, or are we trying to carry our troubles alone? Jesus is always ready to offer us healing and peace; all we need to do is come to Him with humility and trust.
In today’s scripture, we find Jesus addressing the crowds, reflecting on their response to John the Baptist and His own ministry. He compares the people to children who are never satisfied, highlighting their rejection of both John’s ascetic lifestyle and His more social approach. This unresponsiveness is not unique to that generation; even today, people often struggle to accept messages that challenge their comfort zones.
Jesus issues woes to unrepentant cities like Chorazin, emphasizing the consequences of witnessing miracles yet refusing to repent. He contrasts these cities with Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom, suggesting that even notoriously wicked places would have repented if they had seen His works. This timeless call to repentance echoes throughout history, warning against the dangers of ignoring God’s plea for a change of heart.
In a prayer of thanksgiving, Jesus praises God for revealing truths to the humble while hiding them from the wise and learned. This highlights the importance of humility and openness to God’s revelation, countering the world’s emphasis on intellectualism. The invitation to find rest in Jesus is extended to all who are weary and burdened, offering a yoke that is easy and light, symbolizing partnership and guidance. This invitation resonates deeply in today’s fast-paced, stressful world, where many long for the peace and rest that only Jesus can provide.
The phrases used in this passage carry profound meaning, emphasizing the fickleness of “this generation,” the sorrowful warning of “woe to you,” and the source of spiritual understanding being from God, not human wisdom. Jesus’ personal invitation to “come to me” underscores His accessibility and compassion, while His promise of an easy yoke and light burden contrasts sharply with the heavy weight of the law. One can find solace in stories of individuals who have embraced Jesus’ invitation and experienced transformative peace amidst life’s chaos.
In conclusion, the passage highlights the call to repentance, the value of humility, and the invitation to find rest in Jesus. It prompts us to reflect on how we can respond to Jesus’ invitation today, embracing humility, repentance, and the rest He offers. Let us pray for God’s guidance in accepting this invitation wholeheartedly, finding solace in His grace and the peace that surpasses all understanding.
How can we find rest for our souls? According to the teachings of Jesus in today’s scripture, we can find rest for our souls by coming to Him. He invites us to come to Him, especially when we are weary and burdened, and in return, He promises to give us rest. This rest is not just physical rest but also a rest for our souls, a deep inner peace that comes from being in a relationship with Him.
Jesus offers us this rest because He is gentle and humble in heart, and His yoke is easy and His burden is light. When we surrender our worries, fears, and burdens to Him, we can experience a sense of peace and rest that comes from trusting in Him. We can find rest for our souls and experience a renewed sense of purpose and direction in life by turning to Jesus and following His teachings.
Think of Jesus’ call as the ultimate “reset button” in your hectic life. When you’re weighed down by work stress and family obligations, He offers a refuge and relief. Imagine shedding those heavy burdens and embracing a lighter, more peaceful path. It’s like finding a trusted mentor who makes your journey easier. Will you seize this chance to find true rest and guidance?
Finally, one more thing needs to be said. Jesus says, “I will give you rest.” The kind of rest he is talking about is rest that involves our putting ourselves with him in NON-VIOLENCE against our enemies. Some of his listeners aren’t interested in that kind of rest. They want to take REVENGE on their enemies. But if there is anything that is obvious about Jesus is that he is NOT going to be a warrior-king like his great-great ancestor King David. He didn’t ride a white horse into Jerusalem; he rode a DONKEY. Says the British scholar N. T. Wright, some of Jesus’s listeners wanted revolution. “Swords, spears, surprise attacks; some hurt, some killed, winning in the end. Violence to defeat violence. A holy war against the unholy warriors. Love your neighbor, hate your enemy; if he slaps you on the cheek, or makes you walk a mile with him, stab him with his own dagger. That’s the sort of kingdom-vision they had. And Jesus could see, with the clarity both of the prophet and of sheer common sense, where it would lead. Better be in Sodom and Gomorrah, with fire and brimstone raining from heaven, than fighting God’s battles with the devil’s weapons.”
Jesus was offering a last chance to embrace a different kingdom-vision. He had talked about it in his Sermon on the Mount. Also, in the teachings he offered throughout Galilee. But the people didn’t want what Jesus was offering. “He has a demon!”, they said. “He’s a boozer!” They would say anything to keep from following the peaceful message of Jesus, ANYTHING to avoid the issue. No wonder Jesus seemed irritated in today’s Scripture lesson. Amen.
Pastor Skip
