A light and easy yoke
Whatever you do will be misinterpreted!
There’s a happy thought. In v18 Jesus was accused of being a glutton and a drunkard. His answer was that wisdom is proved right by her actions. The religious people misinterpreted Jesus being with sinners as Him sinning Himself. He was reaching out to them and seeing them come to Him. The fruit proved His wisdom.
Jesus denounces the cities he has been to
Jesus had performed miracles in them, but saw little repentance and faith. Unbelief is a huge sin.
Predestination and free will
In the last passage Jesus teaches both predestination and free will – together as a paradox. Not 50% predestination and 50% free will, but 100% predestination and 100% free will.
V27 illustrates predestination – “anyone who the Son chooses to reveal Him.”
v28 illustrates our free will – “Come to me…”
The paradox is best understood in terms of a gateway. On the outside of the gate, there’s a sign “Come to me”. As we choose to go through the gate and enter God’s kingdom we can look back at the other side of the gate which says “You are chosen”. In other words, free will is a doctrine for everyone. No one can say, “I am not going to become a Christian because I have not been chosen.” The invitation is to all. On the other hand, predestination is a doctrine of assurance for those who are Christians. Once you have accepted the invitation and entered, you can know that God has chosen you and therefore he will not let you go.
Lastly if you are weary and burdened, Jesus says ‘come to me… and find rest’. His yoke is easy. A yoke was a shaped piece of wood that connected two oxen together to pull a plough. Being yoked to Jesus means He is sharing your burden making it lighter. Come to Him – cast all your anxieties on him 1 Peter 5:7.
Andy Moyle
