WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.219 I want you to turn in your Bibles to the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 11. 00:00:05.940 --> 00:00:12.040 We are going to look at two very important events, two important chapters in the Gospel. 00:00:13.140 --> 00:00:21.640 This chapter, Chapter 11, is probably the most controversial chapter in all of the New Testament. 00:00:23.980 --> 00:00:27.859 There are, Jesus says many fantastic things in many fantastic places, 00:00:27.859 --> 00:00:35.420 but I suspect that this is the most controversial passage in all of the New Testament. 00:00:36.259 --> 00:00:38.780 So we're going to take a look at it carefully. 00:00:39.460 --> 00:00:45.420 In your bulletin at the back, I gave you an outline of what I'm going to cover, 00:00:46.019 --> 00:00:49.100 what we're going to look at, and I want you to follow it carefully. 00:00:50.719 --> 00:00:51.079 Okay? 00:00:51.079 --> 00:00:57.879 So please keep the back of the bulletin, the outline near you, and the Bible near you. 00:00:58.259 --> 00:01:03.060 We're going to look first at Chapter 11 to understand what Jesus is saying. 00:01:03.479 --> 00:01:11.459 Then we will look at Chapter 12 to help you see concretely, explicitly, specifically, in real life, 00:01:11.879 --> 00:01:13.739 what Jesus has been talking about. 00:01:13.739 --> 00:01:20.339 So we're going to hear it as a conversation, and then we are going to see it with our own eyes. 00:01:21.239 --> 00:01:23.079 Let's begin with verse 25. 00:01:23.259 --> 00:01:24.479 25 and 26. 00:01:25.399 --> 00:01:27.060 At that time, Jesus said, 00:01:27.579 --> 00:01:29.879 I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, 00:01:30.419 --> 00:01:33.419 because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, 00:01:33.959 --> 00:01:35.979 and revealed them to little children, 00:01:36.560 --> 00:01:40.840 including the parents of the little children who were lined up here just a second ago. 00:01:40.840 --> 00:01:44.520 You have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, 00:01:45.020 --> 00:01:46.719 and revealed them to little children. 00:01:47.420 --> 00:01:49.840 Yes, Father, this was your good pleasure. 00:01:50.659 --> 00:01:54.540 In many ways, this summarizes Jesus' ministry. 00:01:55.420 --> 00:02:00.879 Ever since Jesus started to teach, there have been two groups. 00:02:00.980 --> 00:02:02.140 There have been two groups. 00:02:02.900 --> 00:02:07.400 On one hand, the ordinary, average, common people, 00:02:07.400 --> 00:02:11.240 farmers, fishermen, carpenters, 00:02:11.760 --> 00:02:14.280 who have listened to him, who have followed him, 00:02:14.360 --> 00:02:16.800 who have heard him teach, 00:02:17.200 --> 00:02:21.759 both at the Sermon on the Mount and in small houses, 00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:25.319 and they have accepted Jesus. 00:02:26.620 --> 00:02:29.060 They have come with receptive hearts, 00:02:29.520 --> 00:02:30.620 willing to be learned, 00:02:31.080 --> 00:02:34.520 and the Father has revealed the truth to them. 00:02:34.520 --> 00:02:39.920 But on the other hand, we have the Pharisees and the hypocrites, 00:02:40.600 --> 00:02:44.080 and they have constantly resisted Jesus. 00:02:44.640 --> 00:02:46.320 They have questioned his motives. 00:02:46.620 --> 00:02:48.600 They have doubted that his authority. 00:02:49.180 --> 00:02:51.500 They have not accepted his instructions. 00:02:52.020 --> 00:02:54.240 They have accused him of being a blasphemer. 00:02:54.680 --> 00:02:59.100 Who is this guy who thinks that he can forgive sins, for example? 00:02:59.099 --> 00:03:04.799 And so Jesus has been with these two groups, 00:03:05.259 --> 00:03:08.879 those who accept him, receive him, and are with him, 00:03:09.259 --> 00:03:13.180 and those who reject him, resist him, challenge his authority. 00:03:14.359 --> 00:03:17.560 And so you have the followers of Jesus 00:03:17.560 --> 00:03:20.879 and the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. 00:03:21.759 --> 00:03:25.379 And these are the two groups that Jesus is thinking about. 00:03:25.379 --> 00:03:27.819 Jesus knows what has been happening to him. 00:03:28.819 --> 00:03:30.759 The disciples follow him. 00:03:31.240 --> 00:03:32.939 The Pharisees constantly criticize. 00:03:34.539 --> 00:03:36.359 And he knows why that's happening. 00:03:37.560 --> 00:03:39.979 This leads us to verse 27. 00:03:41.340 --> 00:03:45.379 This extremely controversial and startling verse. 00:03:45.379 --> 00:04:02.900 Jesus says, 00:04:02.900 --> 00:04:04.099 Jesus says, 00:04:04.620 --> 00:04:06.340 I'm not making it up. 00:04:06.620 --> 00:04:07.699 It is written here. 00:04:07.699 --> 00:04:12.419 No one knows the Father except the Son 00:04:12.419 --> 00:04:16.699 and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 00:04:17.699 --> 00:04:20.060 This is not a normal sentence. 00:04:20.779 --> 00:04:21.699 This is not like, 00:04:21.860 --> 00:04:23.219 let's have pizza after church. 00:04:24.039 --> 00:04:24.779 This is not, 00:04:24.860 --> 00:04:26.459 do you want to watch the Oscars tonight? 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:30.099 Jesus is making a bold, 00:04:30.839 --> 00:04:31.519 brave, 00:04:32.279 --> 00:04:34.279 incredibly exclusivistic, 00:04:35.060 --> 00:04:36.560 fantastic statements. 00:04:36.560 --> 00:04:39.339 No one knows the Father 00:04:39.339 --> 00:04:41.879 except the Son. 00:04:42.920 --> 00:04:44.560 I want you to sense 00:04:44.560 --> 00:04:46.259 how that statement feels. 00:04:47.160 --> 00:04:47.980 What if I, 00:04:49.019 --> 00:04:51.360 don't believe the word I'm going to tell you, 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:53.639 but what if I say to you, 00:04:54.160 --> 00:04:57.000 I am the only one in all of America 00:04:57.000 --> 00:04:59.019 who understands football. 00:05:02.439 --> 00:05:03.759 Look at your feelings. 00:05:04.720 --> 00:05:05.879 Stretch the feelings. 00:05:05.879 --> 00:05:08.379 If I tell you, 00:05:08.600 --> 00:05:11.319 I am the only one in all of America 00:05:11.319 --> 00:05:13.480 who knows football, 00:05:14.480 --> 00:05:16.779 at minimum, 00:05:17.060 --> 00:05:17.620 you should say, 00:05:18.279 --> 00:05:22.399 what about other great coaches in history? 00:05:22.920 --> 00:05:25.300 Did Lombardi know nothing about football? 00:05:25.300 --> 00:05:28.400 How about Mike Ditka, 00:05:29.199 --> 00:05:30.740 the Chicago Bears, 00:05:30.740 --> 00:05:31.879 the Super Bowl, 00:05:32.139 --> 00:05:34.060 that fantastic defense, 00:05:34.319 --> 00:05:35.579 he didn't know anything about football? 00:05:36.740 --> 00:05:37.580 Bill Walsh, 00:05:38.500 --> 00:05:39.879 and the West Coast offense, 00:05:40.040 --> 00:05:43.819 which was installed in Green Bay 00:05:43.819 --> 00:05:44.960 with great results. 00:05:45.740 --> 00:05:46.900 How about Bilicek? 00:05:47.340 --> 00:05:48.759 Five Super Bowls, 00:05:48.759 --> 00:05:51.639 and he doesn't know anything about football? 00:05:52.759 --> 00:05:53.659 If I said, 00:05:53.879 --> 00:05:54.659 no, they don't, 00:05:54.819 --> 00:05:55.819 I'm the only one, 00:05:56.480 --> 00:05:57.099 you're going to say, 00:05:57.159 --> 00:05:59.420 boy, Samir is really conceited. 00:06:00.420 --> 00:06:00.839 I mean, 00:06:00.939 --> 00:06:04.199 he is at the verge of being crazy. 00:06:05.259 --> 00:06:06.819 He is the only one? 00:06:07.319 --> 00:06:08.699 Who does he think he is? 00:06:08.699 --> 00:06:10.319 But look, 00:06:10.839 --> 00:06:12.959 this is what Jesus is doing. 00:06:14.099 --> 00:06:15.079 He is saying, 00:06:15.399 --> 00:06:19.680 nobody knows the Father except me. 00:06:20.800 --> 00:06:22.240 And we're tempted to say, 00:06:22.439 --> 00:06:23.019 nobody? 00:06:23.920 --> 00:06:25.399 How about Plato and Aristotle? 00:06:25.639 --> 00:06:27.159 Don't they know anything about God? 00:06:29.360 --> 00:06:33.099 How about Confucius and Buddha? 00:06:33.099 --> 00:06:37.060 How about the Persian prophet, 00:06:37.219 --> 00:06:37.939 Zarathustra? 00:06:38.699 --> 00:06:41.839 What about the Muslim prophet, 00:06:42.060 --> 00:06:42.439 Muhammad? 00:06:44.199 --> 00:06:46.420 Our postmodern culture says, 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:48.300 there are no absolutes. 00:06:49.259 --> 00:06:51.199 The truth is what you want it to be. 00:06:53.099 --> 00:06:54.399 And Jesus would say, 00:06:55.180 --> 00:06:57.759 nobody knows the Father except me. 00:06:58.959 --> 00:06:59.599 Emphatically. 00:07:00.099 --> 00:07:00.659 Not Buddha, 00:07:01.439 --> 00:07:02.180 not Muhammad, 00:07:02.180 --> 00:07:03.419 not Plato, 00:07:03.899 --> 00:07:04.699 not Aristotle, 00:07:05.180 --> 00:07:06.180 not Confucius, 00:07:06.779 --> 00:07:08.300 not Immanuel Kant. 00:07:08.699 --> 00:07:10.139 David Hume, 00:07:11.099 --> 00:07:13.979 only Jesus knows the Father. 00:07:13.980 --> 00:07:19.180 You can't ignore a statement like that. 00:07:19.319 --> 00:07:20.200 This is too. 00:07:20.480 --> 00:07:21.340 This is like a bolt. 00:07:22.240 --> 00:07:24.879 This is like a thunder from heaven. 00:07:26.180 --> 00:07:27.920 Only Jesus knows the Father. 00:07:27.920 --> 00:07:28.920 You can't ignore it. 00:07:28.920 --> 00:07:29.300 You can't ignore it. 00:07:29.300 --> 00:07:30.680 You can't pretend it wasn't said. 00:07:30.680 --> 00:07:32.980 You can't think it's nothing. 00:07:32.980 --> 00:07:33.740 You have got to ask yourself, 00:07:33.740 --> 00:07:35.640 what kind of people make these kinds of statements? 00:07:35.639 --> 00:07:36.639 When somebody says, 00:07:36.639 --> 00:07:37.180 when somebody says, 00:07:37.180 --> 00:07:41.579 I am the only one, exclusively, what kind of person is that? 00:07:41.579 --> 00:07:44.399 And CS Lewis says, you have three choices. 00:07:44.399 --> 00:07:45.919 Number one, he is a lunatic, 00:07:45.919 --> 00:07:46.459 and he is a lunatic, 00:07:46.459 --> 00:07:47.240 and he is a lunatic. 00:07:47.240 --> 00:07:48.180 He is a lunatic, 00:07:48.180 --> 00:07:50.879 and he is a lunatic. 00:07:50.879 --> 00:07:51.979 He is a lunatic, 00:07:51.979 --> 00:07:53.060 and he is a lunatic. 00:07:53.060 --> 00:07:54.639 He is a lunatic. 00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:55.839 He is a liar. 00:07:55.839 --> 00:07:58.139 He is saying, I'm the only one who's watching this. 00:07:58.139 --> 00:08:00.339 He's saying, I'm the only one who's watching this. 00:08:00.339 --> 00:08:01.699 He says, you have three choices. 00:08:01.699 --> 00:08:03.279 You have three choices. 00:08:03.279 --> 00:08:07.419 Number one, he is a lunatic. 00:08:07.419 --> 00:08:09.459 He should be in psychiatric ward. 00:08:09.459 --> 00:08:13.300 He has these delusions about himself. 00:08:13.300 --> 00:08:14.319 He's a megalomaniac, 00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:18.039 who thinks he's better than everybody. 00:08:18.039 --> 00:08:20.060 He is a lunatic, 00:08:20.060 --> 00:08:23.279 or he is a liar. 00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:26.699 He's saying, I'm the only one, but others do know. 00:08:27.039 --> 00:08:31.679 And he is lying by telling us that he is exclusively the only one who knows the Father. 00:08:32.620 --> 00:08:37.860 So Jesus is either lunatic or liar or Lord. 00:08:38.980 --> 00:08:41.360 You've got those three choices. 00:08:42.639 --> 00:08:47.759 Is the one who is calming the sea and walking on water? 00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:53.600 Is the one who is feeding the 5,000 and teaching the multitudes? 00:08:54.259 --> 00:08:55.220 Is that a lunatic? 00:08:56.379 --> 00:08:57.600 Is that a liar? 00:08:59.879 --> 00:09:03.700 I have and had come to grips with that. 00:09:04.539 --> 00:09:06.480 I remember it very well. 00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:09.679 Senior year in college at the University of California. 00:09:10.700 --> 00:09:15.559 I had to decide, is he lunatic, liar, or Lord? 00:09:15.559 --> 00:09:20.899 And for me, Jesus is Lord. 00:09:22.179 --> 00:09:24.839 And you have to make that same decision. 00:09:25.379 --> 00:09:29.639 If you have already made it, thank God that Jesus is your Lord. 00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:34.500 If you haven't, you can't avoid this sentence. 00:09:35.519 --> 00:09:36.699 It's attention-grabbing. 00:09:36.899 --> 00:09:38.339 It demands a response. 00:09:39.559 --> 00:09:43.939 And so you have to ask yourself, what do I think of Jesus? 00:09:43.940 --> 00:09:47.300 Jesus says, I am it. 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:48.460 That's it. 00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:53.140 No one knows the Father except the Son. 00:09:53.940 --> 00:09:57.060 And those to whom the Son chooses to reveal himself. 00:09:57.920 --> 00:10:03.680 And of course, he revealed himself to the 12 disciples, to the early church, to the great reformers, 00:10:04.020 --> 00:10:05.480 throughout all of church history. 00:10:05.480 --> 00:10:12.860 And we stand in a great tradition of those who came before us to whom God had revealed the Father. 00:10:12.860 --> 00:10:32.680 We are part of that great heritage, that great movement of those of us who have benefited because God in his generosity revealed himself to us through the Son, through the Holy Spirit. 00:10:32.679 --> 00:10:34.679 And that's what we're doing. 00:10:34.679 --> 00:10:38.719 So, we come to verse 28. 00:10:40.399 --> 00:10:45.719 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 00:10:46.579 --> 00:10:54.500 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 00:10:55.139 --> 00:10:58.279 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 00:10:58.279 --> 00:11:00.600 This verse is packed with so many things. 00:11:01.059 --> 00:11:02.439 So, let's take it one by one. 00:11:03.240 --> 00:11:08.059 He says, come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 00:11:11.819 --> 00:11:13.259 Why should we come to Jesus? 00:11:14.199 --> 00:11:18.699 Because he knows the Father, and he can reveal him. 00:11:19.659 --> 00:11:22.139 What's the point of going to the long person? 00:11:22.139 --> 00:11:26.720 Look, if you want to know something about biology, you don't ask me. 00:11:26.919 --> 00:11:28.779 I know zilch about biology. 00:11:29.580 --> 00:11:33.919 If you want to know something about languages, I know languages, but I don't know anything about biology. 00:11:37.319 --> 00:11:38.960 Jesus knows the Father. 00:11:39.620 --> 00:11:43.919 So, if you want to know something about the Father, you go to the right teacher. 00:11:45.659 --> 00:11:48.620 You don't go to a music conservatory to learn engineering. 00:11:48.620 --> 00:11:53.159 They don't teach engineering in music conservatories. 00:11:54.039 --> 00:11:55.779 You go to an engineering school. 00:11:57.679 --> 00:12:01.659 Jesus says, come to me, all you who are weary and burdened. 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:07.000 There are lots of things in life that make us weary and burdened. 00:12:07.740 --> 00:12:11.659 Being unemployed makes you weary and burdened. 00:12:12.460 --> 00:12:17.440 Having a job in which you don't make enough money makes you weary and burdened. 00:12:17.440 --> 00:12:26.860 Having family problems that could end up in a divorce, that will add burden and weaviness to your life. 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:30.520 Health problems. 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:38.620 As you know, my best friend had health problems for 18 months before he died of cancer. 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:42.840 That put burden and weaviness on the family. 00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:45.740 Natural disasters. 00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:54.100 If I lived in California and my house was being flooded by flooding, I'd be weary and burdened. 00:12:55.100 --> 00:13:03.419 If there are earthquakes, fires in Southern California, you become weary and burdened. 00:13:03.419 --> 00:13:08.219 There are all kinds of things in life that make us weary and burdened. 00:13:09.059 --> 00:13:10.159 Life is not a picnic. 00:13:11.399 --> 00:13:16.939 If you think, the only way to think that life is a picnic is to take LSD, and I wouldn't recommend it. 00:13:17.399 --> 00:13:18.860 It's not good for you. 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:20.599 It will fry your brains. 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:26.059 Life is not a picnic. 00:13:26.259 --> 00:13:27.500 It's filled with burdens. 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:30.700 What should we do when we have burdens? 00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:33.559 I want you to hear me carefully. 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:38.039 Look at the back of your bulletin. 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:40.220 Look at the top two verses. 00:13:40.460 --> 00:13:45.100 I put those verses on purpose because I don't want you to miss the point. 00:13:46.019 --> 00:13:50.460 When we have burdens, when we have troubles, when we have difficulties, what should we do? 00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:59.720 The Bible says, cast your anxieties on him because he cares for you. 00:14:00.540 --> 00:14:03.400 You have financial problems, you come to Jesus. 00:14:03.920 --> 00:14:06.480 You have emotional problems, you come to Jesus. 00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:09.500 You have psychological problems, you come to Jesus. 00:14:09.900 --> 00:14:12.240 You have family problems, you come to Jesus. 00:14:12.800 --> 00:14:15.879 You have educational problems, you come to Jesus. 00:14:16.240 --> 00:14:17.759 And why do we come to Jesus? 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:23.220 Cast your anxieties on him because he cares for you. 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:26.399 1 Peter 5.7 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:33.259 The book of Psalms is filled with psalms of lament. 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:35.340 Psalm 62. 00:14:36.299 --> 00:14:42.919 If you are having problems at the present, the best thing I can tell you is begin by reading Psalm 62. 00:14:42.919 --> 00:14:48.259 Psalm 62 is the most emphatic of all the psalms. 00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:49.559 Of all the psalms. 00:14:49.559 --> 00:14:51.019 Of all 150. 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:57.199 This is the one that is most emphatic in saying that God is our fortress. 00:14:57.639 --> 00:14:58.500 Our refuge. 00:14:59.120 --> 00:14:59.839 Our shelter. 00:15:01.199 --> 00:15:03.519 Our hope in time of trouble. 00:15:04.459 --> 00:15:07.719 O people, pour out your hearts before him. 00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:11.100 What should I do when I have burdens? 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:13.700 I should cast my anxieties on him. 00:15:13.779 --> 00:15:14.519 I should come to him. 00:15:14.940 --> 00:15:16.660 I should pour out my heart to him. 00:15:17.160 --> 00:15:18.420 That is what I should do. 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:24.279 So, whatever I'm saying next does not contradict this. 00:15:25.019 --> 00:15:26.820 I want you to see this emphatically. 00:15:27.080 --> 00:15:28.160 This is what we do. 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:35.399 But Jesus says in verse 28, come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. 00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:38.480 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. 00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:41.159 There are two important words there. 00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:43.559 Rest and yoke. 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:46.059 What do these mean? 00:15:47.419 --> 00:15:50.019 Jesus is quoting from two different passages. 00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:58.879 The invitation to have rest, to find rest is from Jeremiah chapter 6, verse 16. 00:16:00.179 --> 00:16:02.299 God is saying there are two ways. 00:16:02.819 --> 00:16:06.299 A way that leads to life and a way that leads to destruction. 00:16:07.220 --> 00:16:10.379 I am setting before you two options. 00:16:10.840 --> 00:16:19.879 You can either take this path and obey me and walk in my ways and follow me and you will find rest. 00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:23.179 If you don't, you will find destruction. 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:30.720 So, Jesus is saying take the path that I am setting before you and you will find rest. 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:35.159 So, he is quoting Jeremiah 6, verse 16. 00:16:35.899 --> 00:16:37.759 But what is yoke? 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:42.860 Yoke is a very, very common rabbinic word. 00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:46.500 Rabbis talked about yoke all the time. 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:47.500 Yoke of the Torah. 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:51.000 They usually talked about the yoke of the Torah. 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:56.059 The yoke of the Torah literally means the teaching of the law. 00:16:57.340 --> 00:17:01.000 So, there was constant discussion of what the law teaches. 00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:04.539 The yoke of the prophet is the teaching of the prophets. 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:07.759 The yoke of wisdom is the teaching of wisdom. 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:11.059 The yoke of the Torah is the teaching of the Torah. 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:20.099 There is a very important, popular, famous, very well-known among rabbis book that is not part of the Old Testament. 00:17:20.639 --> 00:17:23.579 It was written between the Old Testament and the New. 00:17:23.679 --> 00:17:25.119 It's intertestamental. 00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:32.059 That book was written by a man called Yeshua ben Ali Azar ben Sirach. 00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:39.879 And in it, he summarizes the wisdom of the Old Testament. 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:42.359 It's a great book about wisdom. 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:52.879 And at the end of the book, in chapter 51, verse 27, he invites the nation to take on the yoke of wisdom. 00:17:52.880 --> 00:18:03.680 In Judaism, if you were a Gentile and wanted to be converted to Judaism, you went through initiation. 00:18:04.620 --> 00:18:11.260 The last question that you are asked is, do you accept the yoke of the Torah? 00:18:11.860 --> 00:18:13.840 And if you said yes, you became a Jew. 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:15.580 If you said no, you are not. 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:19.380 Yoke means teaching. 00:18:19.380 --> 00:18:23.220 Yoke means teaching. 00:18:24.840 --> 00:18:28.660 Even if you had never heard of ben Sirach, you could see it for yourself. 00:18:29.280 --> 00:18:31.460 Look at verse 29. 00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:34.560 Look at verse 29. 00:18:35.520 --> 00:18:40.360 Take my yoke upon you and, what's the next verb? 00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:42.300 Learn. 00:18:45.020 --> 00:18:47.380 Yoke has something to do with learning. 00:18:47.380 --> 00:18:53.000 So, the teacher teaches you and you're supposed to learn. 00:18:53.620 --> 00:18:58.240 Jesus is saying, come to me and learn from me. 00:18:59.580 --> 00:19:01.960 Why should we learn from Jesus? 00:19:02.260 --> 00:19:05.100 Because he knows the Father and others don't. 00:19:06.260 --> 00:19:08.120 But why else should we learn from Jesus? 00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:12.680 Because my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:18.840 Yoke means learning, but it also means obeying what it is that you're learning. 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:23.100 Don't just be hearers of the word, but doers. 00:19:23.840 --> 00:19:24.980 James says that. 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:26.700 That's the yoke of the Torah. 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:31.480 So, let me help you understand the yoke of the Torah. 00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:33.700 I'll give you the most famous case. 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:37.259 One of the two most famous cases in all of the Old Testament. 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:45.700 In the book of Deuteronomy, in the section about what to eat and what not to eat, kosher and non-kosher food, 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:51.220 in Deuteronomy chapter 14, verse 21, there is this interesting statement, 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:58.220 don't cook or don't boil a small goat with its mother's milk. 00:19:59.420 --> 00:20:03.980 So, when I go to the market and buy a pound of ground burger, 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:11.500 I should go to the manager and I said, I bought this meat and I bought this milk. 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:15.680 Is this milk and this meat related? 00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:19.700 Is this the small goat in the mother's milk? 00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:21.980 How on earth would they know that? 00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:29.220 But the Torah says, don't boil a young goat in its mother's milk. 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:31.799 Rabbi said, why should we boil? 00:20:32.120 --> 00:20:32.820 Why do we boil? 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:34.060 Well, we boil to eat. 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:43.660 So, the commandment was expanded now to say, don't boil and don't eat meat with its mother's milk. 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:47.759 So, I go have dinner, I have meat. 00:20:48.300 --> 00:20:49.740 When can I drink milk again? 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:52.720 I want to keep this commandment. 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:57.620 When can I drink milk? 00:20:58.740 --> 00:21:02.500 Well, it depends on the opinion of my teacher that I'm studying with. 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:07.740 So, some rabbi said, you wait six hours. 00:21:09.640 --> 00:21:10.880 Six hours. 00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:17.140 This is to make sure that the milk and the meat are not in your digestive system at the same time. 00:21:18.520 --> 00:21:20.180 Other rabbis said, no. 00:21:20.760 --> 00:21:21.900 Just wait one hour. 00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:29.920 Other rabbis said, eat meat, then recite a benediction, 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:37.500 and then fold what's on the table, 00:21:38.279 --> 00:21:43.480 and then you can drink milk. 00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:45.200 That probably takes ten minutes. 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:53.720 Another school said, you should never, never eat cheeseburger, 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:56.900 because the burger is a meat product, 00:21:57.339 --> 00:21:59.519 and the cheese is a milk product. 00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:05.059 So, I'm being told, never eat cheeseburgers, 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:07.779 or wait six hours, 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:10.220 or wait one hour, 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:12.339 or wait ten minutes. 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:14.860 Fold the tablecloth, and then, 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:17.940 what should I do? 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:22.759 I should follow whoever is my teacher whom I believe. 00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:27.620 And Jesus is saying, follow me. 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:29.420 Follow my teachings. 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:30.320 Why? 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:32.840 Because my yoke is easy, 00:22:33.380 --> 00:22:35.320 and my burden is light. 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:38.680 I should follow Jesus' teaching. 00:22:38.680 --> 00:22:44.160 These other teachers are trying to help me. 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:46.740 They don't want me to disobey the commandment, 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:48.820 but they're giving me instructions, 00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:49.860 interpretations, 00:22:50.560 --> 00:22:52.560 that they think are helpful, 00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:53.960 but may be helpful, 00:22:54.120 --> 00:22:55.880 but then may not be helpful at all. 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.740 And it so happens, 00:22:59.420 --> 00:23:00.940 that in rabbinic circle, 00:23:01.620 --> 00:23:04.320 the more difficult the interpretation, 00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:07.340 it became the one that is most accepted. 00:23:07.339 --> 00:23:09.839 So, if somebody gives you an easy way out, 00:23:09.879 --> 00:23:10.740 and the hard way out, 00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:11.319 guess what you do? 00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:13.039 You go the hard way out. 00:23:13.679 --> 00:23:14.439 Wait six hours. 00:23:19.379 --> 00:23:20.480 Jesus is saying, 00:23:21.339 --> 00:23:21.879 come to me. 00:23:22.899 --> 00:23:24.039 I know the Father. 00:23:26.379 --> 00:23:27.679 My yoke is easy, 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:29.699 and my burden is light. 00:23:31.199 --> 00:23:31.599 Now, 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:34.019 what I want to do, 00:23:34.139 --> 00:23:37.279 is to look at Matthew chapter 12. 00:23:37.339 --> 00:23:39.559 The first eight verses, 00:23:40.139 --> 00:23:42.720 and I want you very quickly to see, 00:23:43.379 --> 00:23:45.959 what he has been talking about in chapter 11. 00:23:46.959 --> 00:23:48.199 So, in chapter 12, 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.919 at that time, 00:23:50.599 --> 00:23:52.259 Jesus went through the grain field, 00:23:52.459 --> 00:23:53.119 on the Sabbath. 00:23:53.919 --> 00:23:55.919 His disciples were hungry, 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:59.240 and he began to pick some heads, 00:23:59.399 --> 00:24:02.099 they began to pick some heads of grain, 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:02.819 and eat them. 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:05.159 When the Pharisees saw this, 00:24:05.319 --> 00:24:05.960 they said to him, 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:06.379 look, 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:08.759 your disciples are doing what is unlawful, 00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:09.720 on the Sabbath. 00:24:10.639 --> 00:24:11.899 Chapter 25 says, 00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:12.259 what? 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:13.480 There are two groups, 00:24:13.859 --> 00:24:15.559 and guess who shows up now? 00:24:16.179 --> 00:24:17.179 The two groups. 00:24:18.460 --> 00:24:19.659 This is going to happen, 00:24:19.659 --> 00:24:21.579 until the end of the gospel. 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:25.319 The Pharisees are going to constantly question, 00:24:26.119 --> 00:24:27.279 Jesus' authority. 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:28.079 So, 00:24:28.079 --> 00:24:29.339 here are the two groups, 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:32.519 those who accept Jesus' teaching, 00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:35.759 and those who constantly oppose him. 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:36.940 So, 00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:39.559 just as we have the two groups in verse 25, 00:24:40.399 --> 00:24:43.799 we have the two groups in verses 1 and 2. 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:46.480 Jesus says, 00:24:46.639 --> 00:24:47.619 he knows the Father, 00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:49.079 and he can reveal him, 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:51.419 to whomever he wants to. 00:24:52.500 --> 00:24:56.859 Jesus responds to the objections of the Pharisees, 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:59.440 by giving them an example from the priests, 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:01.799 and an example from David. 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:03.099 And then, 00:25:03.399 --> 00:25:04.759 he reveals the Father. 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:05.759 So, 00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:07.220 when we read chapter 12, 00:25:07.379 --> 00:25:09.359 the first eight verses, 00:25:09.359 --> 00:25:12.939 look at, 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:13.859 especially, 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:14.879 verse 7. 00:25:16.139 --> 00:25:18.879 What is Jesus going to reveal to us, 00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:20.219 in verse 7? 00:25:21.439 --> 00:25:22.979 If you had known, 00:25:22.979 --> 00:25:24.500 what these words mean, 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:27.119 I desire mercy, 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:29.319 and not sacrifice, 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:33.439 you wouldn't have condemned the innocent. 00:25:34.479 --> 00:25:36.379 What does Jesus know, 00:25:36.379 --> 00:25:37.279 about the Father? 00:25:38.279 --> 00:25:39.099 He knows, 00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:42.179 that the Father desires mercy, 00:25:42.719 --> 00:25:44.159 and not sacrifice. 00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:46.319 This should sound familiar, 00:25:46.439 --> 00:25:47.599 because Mike covered that, 00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:48.719 just very recently. 00:25:49.219 --> 00:25:50.859 This is the second time, 00:25:50.979 --> 00:25:51.959 in the Gospel of Matthew, 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:53.979 where Jesus quotes these words, 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:55.979 I desire mercy, 00:25:56.099 --> 00:25:56.859 and not sacrifice. 00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:59.079 And that is a quotation, 00:25:59.919 --> 00:26:00.519 from the Gospel, 00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:02.479 from the Prophet Hosea, 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:03.919 6.6. 00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:08.820 Jesus is saying, 00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:11.100 if you come before my Father, 00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:12.320 and on one hand, 00:26:12.380 --> 00:26:13.779 you all want to offer sacrifices, 00:26:14.120 --> 00:26:15.080 and on the other hand, 00:26:15.120 --> 00:26:16.220 you want to do acts of mercy, 00:26:16.320 --> 00:26:16.980 guess what he wants? 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:18.060 He wants mercy, 00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:19.140 not sacrifices. 00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:22.460 I want you to see that, 00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:24.840 in the light of the easy yoke, 00:26:25.080 --> 00:26:26.539 and in the light of this passage. 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:29.440 Look at verse 1, 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.680 in chapter 12 again. 00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:32.099 At that time, 00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:33.759 Jesus went through the grain fields, 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.539 on the Sabbath. 00:26:35.180 --> 00:26:36.920 His disciples were hungry, 00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:38.599 and began to pick, 00:26:38.839 --> 00:26:40.039 some heads of grain, 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:40.759 and eat them. 00:26:41.559 --> 00:26:42.779 When the Pharisees saw this, 00:26:42.859 --> 00:26:43.440 they said to him, 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:43.720 look, 00:26:43.859 --> 00:26:44.819 your disciples are doing, 00:26:44.899 --> 00:26:45.680 what is unlawful, 00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:46.220 on the Sabbath. 00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:49.519 Should the disciples, 00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:51.100 pick grain, 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:51.900 and eat, 00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:53.019 or should they not? 00:26:54.620 --> 00:26:56.299 The Pharisees says, 00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:57.860 no, 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:58.720 they should not. 00:26:59.319 --> 00:27:00.380 They could go hungry. 00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:02.579 And Jesus says, 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:03.559 go ahead, 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.019 pick, 00:27:04.860 --> 00:27:06.079 because you are hungry. 00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:09.680 Which is more merciful thing, 00:27:09.880 --> 00:27:11.440 to say to a hungry man? 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:12.720 Eat, 00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:13.860 or don't eat? 00:27:13.859 --> 00:27:16.359 What does the father want? 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:18.279 He wants mercy, 00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:19.740 not sacrifice. 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:21.299 Which is easier? 00:27:22.439 --> 00:27:24.319 Which is more merciful thing, 00:27:24.439 --> 00:27:24.740 to do? 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:26.979 To eat, 00:27:27.199 --> 00:27:27.959 or not to eat? 00:27:29.179 --> 00:27:30.039 Jesus says, 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:30.740 his burden, 00:27:30.959 --> 00:27:31.819 his yoke is easy, 00:27:31.919 --> 00:27:32.959 and his burden is light. 00:27:33.579 --> 00:27:35.659 Which is an easier commandment, 00:27:35.759 --> 00:27:36.259 to obey? 00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:39.219 Which is an easier commandment, 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:39.719 to obey? 00:27:41.659 --> 00:27:42.859 To go hungry, 00:27:42.859 --> 00:27:44.500 or to eat? 00:27:47.639 --> 00:27:49.619 Which teaching is lighter? 00:27:50.679 --> 00:27:52.359 Which teaching is heavier? 00:27:53.619 --> 00:27:54.679 And Jesus says, 00:27:55.199 --> 00:27:56.979 my yoke is easy, 00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:58.799 and my burden is light. 00:28:01.079 --> 00:28:03.819 Why should we come to Jesus? 00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:05.719 Because he knows the father, 00:28:06.399 --> 00:28:08.119 and because his yoke, 00:28:08.439 --> 00:28:09.319 his commandment, 00:28:09.419 --> 00:28:10.240 his teaching, 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:11.639 is easy, 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.599 and not light. 00:28:13.539 --> 00:28:15.059 How does all this, 00:28:15.159 --> 00:28:16.059 apply to us? 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:18.059 It applies to us, 00:28:18.139 --> 00:28:18.919 in two ways. 00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:20.379 Number one, 00:28:21.479 --> 00:28:22.519 you must, 00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:23.619 ask yourself, 00:28:24.179 --> 00:28:26.379 who is this Jesus? 00:28:27.359 --> 00:28:28.759 Is he lunatic? 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:30.740 Is he liar? 00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:32.559 Or is he lord? 00:28:33.199 --> 00:28:34.699 You can't just put it off. 00:28:34.919 --> 00:28:35.539 You can't pretend, 00:28:35.619 --> 00:28:36.379 it doesn't exist. 00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:37.119 You can't say, 00:28:37.119 --> 00:28:38.299 that Jesus didn't say this. 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.259 Jesus said it, 00:28:39.659 --> 00:28:42.379 and says other things as well. 00:28:43.339 --> 00:28:44.159 He who has seen me, 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:44.899 has seen the father, 00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:46.099 the father and I are one. 00:28:47.519 --> 00:28:48.559 Jesus has said these. 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:50.180 You can't ignore it. 00:28:50.919 --> 00:28:52.119 You might as well face it, 00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:53.180 and make up your mind, 00:28:53.419 --> 00:28:54.159 once and for all. 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.859 Are you going to follow Jesus, 00:28:56.180 --> 00:28:57.419 or are you going to ignore him? 00:28:57.420 --> 00:29:00.620 You can't say he's lunatic. 00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:02.539 You can't say he is liar, 00:29:02.800 --> 00:29:03.380 he is neither. 00:29:03.820 --> 00:29:04.560 He is lord. 00:29:05.560 --> 00:29:06.720 Are you going to face it? 00:29:08.600 --> 00:29:10.620 The second thing is that, 00:29:11.100 --> 00:29:14.160 if you're going to understand God, 00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:17.320 go to someone who knows God. 00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:19.919 Jesus says, 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:20.819 come to me. 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.639 Come to me. 00:29:25.939 --> 00:29:28.980 There are all kinds of crazy sects out there. 00:29:29.379 --> 00:29:31.019 I'm a child of the 60s. 00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:32.159 I saw it all. 00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:38.879 People thought that they could find truth 00:29:38.879 --> 00:29:40.399 in drugs, 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:42.119 in sex. 00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:43.980 I majored in philosophy. 00:29:44.659 --> 00:29:46.059 Others lived in communes. 00:29:46.059 --> 00:29:48.240 Jesus is saying, 00:29:48.859 --> 00:29:49.980 don't waste your life 00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:51.539 going everywhere. 00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:53.159 Come to me. 00:29:54.359 --> 00:29:55.319 Come to me. 00:29:58.559 --> 00:30:01.099 So we have to say to our culture, 00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:03.119 there are absolutes. 00:30:03.799 --> 00:30:06.039 Jesus is not just one option 00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:07.379 of ten options. 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:10.279 He is the only option. 00:30:12.099 --> 00:30:13.779 And that's where we stand. 00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:16.200 Let's have a word of prayer. 00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:21.740 Lord, Father, 00:30:22.639 --> 00:30:24.240 thank you, Father, 00:30:24.359 --> 00:30:27.079 that you are not distant 00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:28.160 and remote. 00:30:28.639 --> 00:30:30.279 You have revealed yourself 00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:32.500 and you allow Jesus 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.879 to reveal you to us. 00:30:35.639 --> 00:30:36.879 Thank you that you're a God 00:30:36.879 --> 00:30:37.559 who is near 00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:39.779 and not just far away. 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:41.839 Thank you. 00:30:41.839 --> 00:30:42.180 Thank you because 00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:42.940 obeying you 00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:44.220 and walking in your way 00:30:44.220 --> 00:30:44.940 is easy 00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:46.359 and not hard. 00:30:47.160 --> 00:30:48.099 And thank you 00:30:48.099 --> 00:30:48.940 because you want 00:30:48.940 --> 00:30:51.759 us to come to you. 00:30:53.440 --> 00:30:54.399 We are so 00:30:54.399 --> 00:30:56.119 blessed 00:30:56.119 --> 00:30:56.799 and touched 00:30:56.799 --> 00:30:58.079 by your great grace. 00:30:59.039 --> 00:31:00.259 We are so thankful 00:31:00.259 --> 00:31:01.200 to you, Lord, Father. 00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:03.220 Father, 00:31:03.299 --> 00:31:04.079 I pray for those 00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:04.680 who have not 00:31:04.680 --> 00:31:06.579 called Jesus Lord yet 00:31:06.579 --> 00:31:08.099 and have not come 00:31:08.099 --> 00:31:09.199 to be taught by you. 00:31:10.139 --> 00:31:11.220 I pray that you 00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:12.259 press on their hearts 00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:13.359 the urgency 00:31:13.359 --> 00:31:14.159 of this matter 00:31:14.159 --> 00:31:16.199 and cause them 00:31:16.199 --> 00:31:16.619 to come. 00:31:19.119 --> 00:31:20.000 In your blessed 00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:20.720 Son's name, 00:31:20.799 --> 00:31:21.159 I pray. 00:31:21.439 --> 00:31:21.740 Amen. 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:21.839 Amen. 00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:21.879 Amen. 00:31:21.879 --> 00:31:21.899 Amen.