Introduction

What we have here is the invitation of two very different gospels:

1. The gospel of Jesus Christ!

Matt 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

2. The gospel of Israel’s religious leaders

Matt 11:28-30 “Come to us, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and we will increase your anxiety, guilt, shame, discouragement and sense of despair. Take our yoke upon you and learn from us, for we are demanding and haughty of heart, and you will experience spiritual exhaustion and defeat for your souls. For our yoke is harsh and our burden is overwhelmingly oppressive."

Depending on which Gospel you believe, you will either be:

Exhausted:

1. Physical, emotionally or spiritually fatigued
2. Drained of energy and effectiveness
3. Completely used up or depleted
4. Often accompanied by feeling of discouragement and depression

Exhilarated:

1. To make cheerful, to refresh, to excite or to energize
2. To invigorate, stimulate, excite
3. Accompanied by feelings of euphoria, joy and strength

As you may recall, Matthew is presenting his Jewish readers with Good News:

1. A new King – Jesus Christ!
2. A new citizenry – believers in Jesus Christ!
3. A new kingdom – a new heaven and earth – Rev 21

But in Matthew 9, it becomes apparent that Israel’s religious leaders aren’t responding well to Jesus’ call to repentance from sin – a non-negotiable requirement to experiencing this new life! So they go on the attack!

In chapter 10, Jesus warns His disciples that they will be persecuted by these same leaders and, in chapter 11, these shepherds of Israel begin to openly reject the ministry and message of Jesus Christ!

And now, in chapter 12, we find these men have gone beyond irritation and are now filled with rage, fury, anger, and hatred! In many ways, this chapter is a turning point; the mounting, growing unbelief of Israel crystallizes in this chapter and will, ultimately, find its climax in the crucifixion of Christ!

May God bless you through this message!

You can support this ministry: Donate

The Epic Life
https://www.theepiclife.org
https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife
https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life