| August 15, 2004 | George 'Buzz' Rundlett | |
| Matthew 11:28-30 | Matthew Was A Sinner |
All Scripture points either forward to the cross or back to the cross. This morning I am going to take a snippet of the ministry of Jesus Christ, specifically the Sermon on the Mount. I will begin with Matthew. Matthew was a "sinner". At least that is what the Jews called their own kind that had the job that Matthew had. Matthew was a tax gatherer or publican. He worked for the Roman Government as a contractor that bid the position of tax gatherer. The reason why he was called a sinner is because the reputation for tax collector was rather shady; in fact, it was despised in first century Palestine. The tax collectors of that time were responsible for assessing and collecting the taxes and after the revenue was sent to Rome, they were allowed to keep the rest. This of course opened the door to temptation and corruption. Many of the tax gatherers were of questionable character and were known for their unscrupulous practices. Some tax gatherers were unkind and unreasonable in their assessment of taxes in order to increase their personal gain. I am not saying Matthew was corrupt, but he belonged to a class of workers that had a bad reputation.
One day, Matthew was sitting at his table collecting taxes and Jesus approached him. Jesus looked upon Matthew's heart and recognized a valuable asset to his ministry. Jesus had that ability. It says so in First Samuel 16:7, "The Lord knows what is on your heart" Jesus said to Matthew, "Follow me." And Matthew abandoned his work and became one of 'The Twelve' and an evangelist. We are fortunate that Matthew contributed the information that went into the Gospel that bears his name.
Shortly after Jesus selected his team of disciples, he began preaching, teaching, and performing miracles. He calmed storms, fed the hungry, raised people from the dead and healed the sick. Word got out about his ability to heal that people came from miles around to be healed. They came from as far away as Syria and the seacoast. Some had traveled over 70 miles to be cured.. He healed deaf people, blind people, the mute and those in pain. He healed the lame and cripple people, people who were possessed with demons, and people who were diseased with leprosy.
One time, he was preaching on a mountain near the Sea of Galilee. He had begun by healing the people at the base of the mountain. He healed hundreds and then he went up the mountain until he came to a plain and there he sat down and began preaching and teaching. There was a large gathering of people, the biggest in his entire entire ministry, and not one of them had a serious infirmity; he had healed them all.
Jesus answered questions that day. Most of the questions came from tired and weary people. They were tired and weary from the corruption, dishonesty, evil desires, violence, deceit, murder, oppression, injustice and other things that do not belong in the Kingdom of God. Instead, they wanted to know about fellowship, prayer, worship, thankfulness for God's love, trust, peace, serving God, righteousness and justice.
Some of the questions that were asked of Jesus were: "How can I find true satisfaction and happiness?" "How can we control our feelings and desires?" "How can we forgive and be forgiven?" "How can I stop worrying so much?" "How can I control my critical spirit toward others?" "How can I treat other people fairly?"
Sound familiar? Of course it does. These are practically the same questions that are asked today, 2000 years later! Volumes have been written on those subjects.
Jesus began by preaching the Beatitudes. He answered the question, how can I find true happiness with the Beatitudes. Happy is he who... Happy is he who... Blessed is he who... Blessed is the meek and poor for they shall know the kingdom of God. Blessed are they that are persecuted for their righteousness for they shall know the Kingdom of God. Here Jesus is focusing on the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven; same thing. Jesus said, "I am here to spread the good news about the Kingdom of God that is the reason I am sent." Luke 4: 43.
Jesus taught us that if we want or need something, we should go to the opposite door: If a man slaps you on the cheek, turn to him the other cheek also. If a man asks you for your tunic, offer your cloak as well. If you hate your enemies; love your enemies. If you want to be rich, you must be poor. If you want to receive, you must give. If you want to live, you must die. If you want forgiveness from the Father, you must first forgive.
He then went on to preach about the Kingdom and he taught the Disciples how to pray. His entire ministry was focused on the Kingdom of Heaven. Isaiah prophesied about how life would be in the Kingdom. Linda read it to you in the first Scripture reading. There will be no corruption, deceit, dishonesty, evil wrongdoings, cheating, crime etc. Everyone will be healthy. Do you think perhaps Jesus healed everyone on the mount before he conducted his sermon so they would have a taste of what the Kingdom was like? No disease or infirmity? There in the Kingdom where God reigns will be peace and love and harmony for all those that are spending eternal life there.
The Disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. Jesus offered what we know as the Lord's Prayer. I almost think it should be called "The Disciples Prayer" because, in it, he asks for forgiveness of sins and Jesus never sinned, therefore it is inappropriate.
The Lord's Prayer is divided into 6 basic petitions. The first three are for the service to God. Forever eternally His name shall be honored and revered. Holy is God's name. Number two, His Kingdom will come, (probably after we relinquish what we call our Kingdom now). And number three, His will be done. My Biology professor at the University of Maine told me that the sole function that humans have on this earth is to procreate the species. Now in my senior years, I believe that the sole function that we have on the face of this earth is to obey God's commandments and do God's will. It says in Ecclesiastes 12: 13, "Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man."
The remaining three petitions are personal to us: Give us our daily bread, (nothing more, just enough sustenance for our physical, mental and spiritual needs.) "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us." Remember, According to Matthew 6, this is 'directly proportional.' You will receive as much forgiveness from the Father as you offer others. If you have no forgiveness for anyone, don't expect any from the Father. And finally, lead us not into temptation; keep us away from the evil one - Satan.
But the most promising thing is that later in his ministry Jesus offered an invitation to us all. I read it to you in the second scripture reading. When you receive an invitation, you either accept or decline. You have to accept Jesus in order to receive this invitation. Even though he made the invitation at the time he was alive here on the earth 2000 years ago, his invitation still stands for all time to all people because the spirit of Jesus is with us.
A long time ago, this very day and this very hour, I was born. It was a hot August day in Rockland, Maine. The hospital did not have air conditioning so the hospital staff placed a large floor fan and trained it on my mother to keep her comfortable. My mother told me that I was born at about 45 miles per hour.
When I was a child my mother taught me many things. She told me to walk tall and to stand with my shoulders back and to look the person right in the eye when you shake their hand. She told me not to eat so fast and to do my homework. My mother has been with Jesus for 22 years now but I can still raise her in my heart at will. I can hear her voice and remember the things she said. She taught me when I was about four years old never to stick my tongue in a light socket. Today, even though my mother is gone, I refuse to stick my tongue in a light socket! Her spirit is with me just like the spirit of Jesus Christ. If you want to know about Shakespeare, you don't dig up his grave and look at his bones. You read his words. If you want to know Jesus, you read his words in Matthew five, six and seven and Luke. My mother taught me and so does Jesus.
I like to think that the spirit is like electricity. It travels through the cord to the light switch. You have to turn the switch on in order to make the light shine. You have to let Jesus into your heart, (turning the switch) in order for the spirit to "shine." This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine.
The invitation can be found in Matthew 11: 28 and 29. The invitation comes in three parts: First, Jesus says, "Come to me, you who are weary and burdened..." Well, I am weary. I admit that I am and I have accepted Jesus so the 'Come to me' part is easy. He further says, "Give me your yoke and I will give you mine. My yoke is easy and my burden is light." We all know that a yoke is a wooden harness that goes around the neck of one or more oxen or steers for pulling a cart or plow. The Plowman uses the yoke to steer the oxen. Your yoke may be a yoke of guilt or worry, struggle or confusion or difficulty keeping the commandments. The Yoke of Jesus is very light...why? Because He has the yoke of 'grace' and grace is free. You can't earn it. It is given free to those who accept it and with whom God has found favor.
Finally, part three of Jesus' invitation is: "I will teach you..." To teach is to lead and he will lead us to do things the righteous way. Remember the acronym LEAD? L = Love, you must love and accept Jesus first. E stands for endurance. Our love for Jesus must never diminish or fade. It must be forever strong. A is action. We must live our lives as Jesus taught us and did. He was the perfect example. Finally, D stands for public and private Devotion. It is not satisfactory to obey all the commandments and live like Jesus. You must have a personal ministry with Jesus and be devoted, dedicated and committed. It is then that God will find favor with you. God knows what is on your heart.
It will be wonderful to live in His kingdom and be taught how to live in harmony by a gentle and humble king. I am weary and tired and I want rest for my soul. I want to live a life under the reign of this humble king. What a wonderful invitation to have eternal life and for him to teach us the right way to live. I close with three pieces of advice: 1. Pray worthily. Pray with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength. 2. Deuteronomy 6 says teach your children about the Kingdom. Impress upon them when you wake up in the morning, when you sit in your home, when you walk down the road, and when you go to bed. Number 3; reassure your children that the best is yet to come.
Let us pray...