An Invitation
Matthew 11:20-30
The Issue: Accepting or Rejecting God’ Invitation to his kingdom. (Known as the triangle – Jewish stronghold)
20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles, because they hadn’t repented of
their sins and turned to God. 21 “What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had
been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in
burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse. 22 I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on
judgment day than you. 23 “And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the
place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today. 24 I tell
you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you.”
JUDGEMENT
1) V20 Specifically, who did Jesus denounce and what did he denounce them for?
Who – the towns where he’d performed miracles.
Why – because they hadn’t repented of their sins and turned to God.
SO, what was their sin?
QUESTION: What do you call a person who is shown something, they see it, but stick their knows in the air and say, “I
saw it, but I don’t care, I don’t believe. I know . . .” ? PRIDE – ARROGANCE
First two towns: Korazin and Bethsaida
2) V21-22 What do we know about the towns of Tyre and Sidon? See Isaiah 23:1-9 What happened to Tyre and
Sidon and why?
Two most important Phoenician cities. Not Jewish!
Is 23:1This message came to me concerning Tyre: Wail, you trading ships of Tarshish, for the harbor and houses of Tyre
are gone! The rumors you heard in Cyprus are all true. 2Mourn in silence, you people of the coast and you merchants of
Sidon. Your traders crossed the sea, 3sailing over deep waters. They brought you grain from Egypt and harvests from
along the Nile. You were the marketplace of the world. 4But now you are put to shame, city of Sidon, for Tyre, the fortress
of the sea, says, “Now I am childless; I have no sons or daughters.” 5When Egypt hears the news about Tyre, there will
be great sorrow. 6Send word now to Tarshish! Wail, you people who live in distant lands! 7Is this silent ruin all that is left
of your once joyous city? What a long history was yours! Think of all the colonists you sent to distant places. 8Who has
brought this disaster on Tyre, that great creator of kingdoms? Her traders were all princes, her merchants were nobles.
9The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has done it to destroy your pride and bring low all earth’s nobility.
QUESTION: Pride and arrogance were the outward sins. What was THE sin? Because of pride and arrogance these
CITIES rejected the invitation to be part of a The Kingdom of God.
Pride and arrogance is a slippery slope. And it’s an ugly character trait. And you won’t draw people to yourself –
or God! Not you individually, not as a church, a city, none of the above.
Bethsaida
Next Capernaum: "Anyone who visits the ruins of Capernaum today and sees the pitiful remains of what was once a
beautiful city, can realize the literalness with which this prophecy has been fulfilled. Significantly, Tiberias, not far away,
was not condemned and is not in ruins.”
3) V23-24 What do we know about Sodom from the Old Testament? What happened to Sodom and why? See
Genesis 18:20
What – known for depravity, story of Lot and his family and their treatment.
Why – In the Genesis account, God reveals to Abraham that Sodom and Gomorrah are to be destroyed for their
grave sins (18:20).
QUESTION: What sins? Sex, homosexuality -. . . . the usual bad stuff. Is that all?
Ezekiel 16:49 Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door. 50 She
was proud and committed detestable sins, so I wiped her out, as you have seen.
The SIN we don’t like to acknowledge: Care for the poor and suffering. Bible scholars – lack of hospitality. Lack of
basic care and help for people.
BIG IDEA: These cities rejected God, His Kingdom -and- His teaching care for the poor and suffering.
Today we might substitute rejection with “indifference.”
Comments?
Personal Application:
They rejected God because of pride and arrogance – and – they didn’t help the poor because they were busy doing “other
things.”
Drill down: What other things do we do? Drug culture – “I didn’t have time to work (and have money to help others) I
was too busy doing drugs.
American Culture – I don’t have the time or money, I’m too busy . . . going on trips, buying the 1,0000 th barbie for my
kid, the X Box, my club dues, the newest iphone, the biggest TV.
CHOICE: How will we end this section? WOE TO US or
YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN!
AN INVITATION
25 At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from
those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. 26 Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it
this way! 27 “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly
knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” 28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all
of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you,
because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the
burden I give you is light.”
4) V25-26 Who did Jesus say the Father revealed “these things” to? Who were “these things” hidden from? Why
do you think they were “hidden?”
** We are invited to share in being a people whom God will reveal himself to us.**
The prayer was for the poor in spirit (childlike.) Those that didn’t think they knew all they needed to know.
Hidden: The self-sufficient Jews who rejected Jesus because they felt no need for what He offered. They were wise in
their own eyes. Too smart for this. I’ve studied Torah plenty and you’re not the Messiah1 Doesn’t sound lie God really
hid anything. They had their minds made up.
Why? Doesn’t sound like God really hid anything. They had their minds made up.
"These verses [vv. 20-27] bring us to a definite break and change in the Jesus’ message. Up to this point the Lord taught,
'Repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' He had presented His credentials (teachings and miracles) and had been
rejected as the Messiah.
These cities which have been mentioned turned their backs upon Him, and so had Jerusalem. The Lord now turns His
back upon the nation Israel, no longer presenting to them the kingdom. He is on His way to the cross, and His invitation is
to the individual."
5) V27 What things does Jesus say about God, himself and their relationship?
– The father entrusted everything to Jesus
– The Father and Jesus are the only ones that truly know each other.
– AND, who the Son chooses to reveal them to.
** We are invited to know Jesus and the Father and what their relationship is all about.**
** And we are invited to have a relationship with God the Father and Jesus the Son**
6) V28-30 What other invitation does Jesus offer?
-To receive rest
-To be humbly and gently taught the good news about the good life.
-Rest for our souls.
-A yolk that is easy.
-A light burden.
PEACE!