JESUS' CALL TO ALL (2)

Matthew 11:28-30

As I stated before, [in Jesus' Call (1)], I urge you to read the text. One needs to be saturated with the words of Jesus. The portion of His Word as revealed by Matthew is: ". . . all ye that labour and are heavy laden, . . .", 11:28

First, we must determine that this is not weariness from secular labour. This labour is from striving to please God by ceremonies of various types. The people of that time were either renegades as to the extent of the law, or renegades of the truth by the inventions of their own devised laws of conduct. Sin is a cruel task master. It leads to inventiveness.

(1) supposed to please God,

(2) purify the labourer,

(3) let them earn their own salvation.

The extent of this overloading is seen in Jesus' words: "heavy laden". One expresses it as meaning a ship with cargos over the limit - - - over laden.

The extent of this overloading is evident by Jesus' words about the Pharisees and Scribes, Matt. 23:1-4. He is speaking of the copiers of the Scripture scrolls - - - they were called scribes. They should have known what the Lord said - - - yet they, like the Pharisees had gone to seed on certain things. Their philosophy was 'do as I say, and not as I do'. They were men pleasers, vss.5-6. Notice that Jesus said ". . . they bind heavy burdens . . . on men's shoulders, . . ." vs.4.

They reversed God's order. In the new birth you are made a "new creature", 2 Corinthians 5:17 ; and , ". . . created . . . unto good works," according to God's Word, Ephesian 2:10. Then when the saved one goes forth they are told to "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.", Matthew 5:16.

Rituals burden down men with little or no benefit; while Jesus liberates us to do His good works outlined in His Book. DDH.