Matthew 11:20-30
20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”
25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All 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 who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Reflection
The scribes and Pharisees who rejected Jesus were considered “wise and understanding” (Matt. 11:25; see also Isa. 29:18) by their society. These men were regarded as experts on the Mosaic law (Israel’s national contract with God that was first given to Moses at Mount Sinai), and had even put their own twist on it in hopes of living a spotless religious life (Matt. 23:5, 16, 18, 23, 25, 29–30). Their problem, however, was that their self-reliant “understanding” had no ability to cure their blindness to Christ’s true identity (11:25). On the other hand, God had given sight to the “little children” (v. 25)—people whom society considered unimportant. In God’s wisdom, he has hidden the glory of Jesus from the eyes of those who look at him with worldly wisdom, and instead he has revealed him to the humble in heart (see also 1 Cor. 1:18–2:8).
All those who are tired of trying to earn God’s favor with painstaking religious activity are now invited to come to Jesus and find rest from this burden (Matt. 11:28). He does not place the demand of perfect obedience upon us. Those who trustfully submit to Jesus and learn from him will find that he is “gentle and lowly” (v. 29). He delights to help all those who are humble enough to admit their need for his mercy and grace.
Romans 9:6-13
6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
Reflection
Paul has guaranteed us that nothing can separate us from God’s love (Rom. 8:39). However, he knows that some people may have an objection to this promise. How can we trust that we will never be separated from God’s love if God didn’t keep his word to Israel? After all, if Jesus came to fulfill God’s promises to his people, but most Israelites rejected Jesus, then it seems like God’s promises haven’t come true. Paul must answer this very important question: has God’s word to Israel failed?
The answer is a clear no (9:6), and chapters 9–11 provide Paul’s detailed response to this question. He begins by explaining that God’s promises to “Israel” were never guaranteed to anyone on the basis of ethnicity (vv. 7–8), or good deeds (v. 11). For example, Jacob and Esau were twins, but God made a “promise” to bless Jacob before he had done anything good or bad (Rom. 9:9–13; “promise” plays a key role in Romans; see 1:2; 4:13, 14, 16, 20, 21; 7:10; 9:4; 15:8). Esau had the same Jewish heritage as Jacob, and he wasn’t as deceptive as Jacob, but these things did not guarantee God’s favor. Paul’s point would have shocked his fellow Jews, but it is clear from their own history: inclusion in the true people of God has never been determined by ethnicity or by good works, but only by God’s free choice to give his mercy to whomever he pleases. God has not been unfaithful to his word, however, because God has never promised that being an ethnic Jew guarantees eternal salvation. We bow before him in worship and wonder, knowing that our salvation is only because of grace.
Psalm 147:5-6
5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. 6 The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.
People sometimes joke that it is dangerous to pray for humility, but as Matthew has shown us (11:25–27), the truth is that it is far more dangerous not to.