Sharper Iron — All Righteousness Fulfilled: Little Children Rest with Jesus

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Rev. Shawn Linnell, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blair, NE, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 11:20-30.

Jesus has warned His apostles that their ministry would be rejected, and they have seen that rejection happening to their Lord. Jesus responds to those who have rejected Him with words of harsh judgment. Even cities like Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom, notorious for their wickedness in the Old Testament, had people who repented and believed in the true God. Yet when Jesus did the mighty work of forgiveness in Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, those cities refused to believe, and the judgment against them will be strong. Yet this does not mean that God’s kingdom has not come. Jesus thanks His Father for His gracious will to reveal Himself through Jesus to little children who have nothing but what they receive from the Father. Those who consider themselves wise on their own receive exactly what they want, a life apart from the one true God. Nonetheless, He still earnestly desires their salvation, as Jesus calls to all people with words of comfort for those who labor under sin. Those who come to Him have true and eternal Sabbath rest.

“All Righteousness Fulfilled” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that digs into the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims Jesus to Jews and Gentiles alike as the fulfillment of God’s saving words and acts throughout the Old Testament. As the Christ in the line of David and Abraham, Jesus is the promised King who comes to bring sinners from every nation to live under His gracious reign.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Matthew 11:20-30

Woe to Unrepentant Cities

20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest

25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.[a] 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Footnotes:

Matthew 11:26 Or for so it pleased you well