Come Unto Me - Part 2 of 2

The Baptist Bible Hour now comes to you under the direction of Elder Lacerre Bradley Jr., pastor of the Cincinnati Primitive Baptist Church. O for a thousand tongues to sing, my great Redeemer's praise! Thou the grace of my God and King, the triumph of his grace! This is Lacerre Bradley Jr. inviting you to stay tuned for another message of God's sovereign grace. Jesus, what a friend!

What a sinner! Jesus, lover of my soul! Friends, they bear me close, assail me, be my Savior, make me whole! Alleluia, what a Savior! Alleluia, what a friend! Saving, helping, keeping, loving, he is with me to the end! Jesus was a bride and keeper, while the tempest still is high! Storms of hell behind your taint, be my Father, here is my bride! Alleluia, what a Savior! Alleluia, what a friend!

Saving, helping, keeping, loving, he is with me to the end! We depend on our listeners for support in order to keep the broadcast on all these stations. If you want us to stay on in your area, we'd appreciate hearing from you. If you request it, we'll be glad to send you a copy of our publication, The Baptist Witness. Our mailing address is The Baptist Bible Hour, Mach 17, 037, Cincinnati, Ohio 45217. We continue the message today entitled, Come Unto Me.

The text is Matthew chapter 11, verses 28 through 30. Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. We first consider a wonderful invitation. Secondly, a great blessing promised.

And then thirdly, a path marked out. And finally, in the fourth place, a tender view of Jesus. I pray that the message will be a blessing to you. Does Jesus care when my heart is pained to deeply form earth or song?

As the burdens press and the cares distress, then the way grows weary and long. Oh yes, he cares, I know, he cares, his heart is touched with my grief. When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares. Does Jesus care when my way is dark with the nameless dread and fear?

As the daylight fades into deep night shades, does he care enough to be near? Oh yes, he cares, I know, he cares, his heart is touched with my grief. When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares. Does Jesus care when I've tried and failed to resist some temptation strong?

When for my deep grief there is no relief, though my tears flow all the night long. Oh yes, he cares, I know, he cares, his heart is touched with my grief. When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares. Does Jesus care when I've said goodbye to the dearest on earth to me? And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks, is it off to him does he care?

Oh yes, he cares, I know, he cares, his heart is touched with my grief. When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares. And then it says, learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart. I'm meek, I'm gentle, he is approachable. This is the rest of a learner, one who is sitting at Jesus' feet to learn.

I want to hear what he has to say, I want to learn more about him. And it says in the Gospel of Luke that the disciple is not above his master. But everyone that is perfect shall be as the master.

The master was the teacher. So as Jesus was the greatest teacher, the master of whom it speaks, when you sit at his feet and you become perfect, that is you have been taught, you're not going to just believe what he said, you're going to be like him. That's the whole object in view, to become like the teacher, not just a matter of believing words, believing doctrine, believing what he said, but becoming like him. And your heart becomes more like him, you're walking with him, you're working with him, you're under his yoke, you're side by side in his service, you find rest. When you become like him and you have a meek spirit, then you don't take offense and become discouraged by criticism. Jesus was continually criticized by religious leaders and others throughout his ministry, but he kept going.

He said his face was set like a flint because he looked toward the cross because he knew that's why he came. So he was not discouraged by criticism or failure to be appreciated. Sometimes that causes people to kind of throw up their hands in despair. I've labored, I've done this, I've done that, I've tried to help this person, I don't think anybody appreciated it.

If your motive is to get appreciation, then you might as well not start. The motivation in serving Jesus Christ is to bring honor and glory to his name, even if it results in you being not just unappreciated, but even persecuted. Meek and lowly in heart. Lowly in heart says, I want God's name to be glorified.

Jesus made it clear throughout his ministry that he came from heaven to do the Father's will and his purpose was to bring glory to the Father's name. And so if we are lowly in heart, if we're learning from our teacher, then our desire is, I want God's name to be glorified. And the lowly in heart does not question divine sovereignty. Sometimes people will say, I just can't understand why God let this happen to me. Why didn't God intervene?

Why did I have to have this great sickness or this great trouble or this great loss? The lowly in heart does not question the sovereignty of God. In verse 25, Jesus said, I thank the old Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou has hid these things from the wise and prudent and has revealed them unto babes. God in his divine sovereignty has seen fit to hide some things from those who are high minded, who feel like they are adequate and sufficient, the wise and the prudent, but has revealed it unto babes, unto those who are weak and obscure.

He reveals these things. Now, what was Jesus' response? Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.

Here's a declaration of God's sovereign work and Jesus bows an agreement to it. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight. And so the lowly heart is going to respond in the same way. Rather than constantly seeking the comforts of life or looking for fame and recognition, the lowly heart is going to bow even to the providences that are difficult to understand, saying, even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight. We think about these words concerning Jesus in the book of Hebrews, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God. The lowly heart caused him to move forward, even when opposed, even when accusations were made that were so far off base, so false, he continued because he looked on to the glory that was to come and we have to set our sights on that which is to come.

Yes, our hope is one day to be present with him where there will be perfect uninterrupted rest forever. Now further in our text, we get a very tender view of Jesus. But first, let's look at some of the things that we learn about Jesus in Scripture. We go to the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verse 1. In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him and without him was not anything made that was made.

Obviously, he's talking about Jesus Christ. In the beginning was the word and the word was with God. The word was God.

How can anybody dispute his divinity if they're saying, I believe the testimony of what's in the inspired word of God? Now verse 14 says, and the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory as the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John bear witness of him and cried saying, this was he of whom I spake.

He that cometh after me is preferred before me, for he was before me. Yes, here's a clear declaration of the greatness and majesty of Jesus Christ. With God, he was God. He became flesh and we beheld his glory.

All things were made by him. We're talking about this man, this God-man who was the creator, who made the very earth upon which he traveled when he came here. When Mary had brought forth her firstborn son, as the Spirit of God revealed to her that she would have this son, said there were shepherds in the field and lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were so afraid. And the angel said unto them, fear not. Ah, that's the message we find so often in scripture. We're prone to fear.

Fear the circumstances of life, fear the future, fear the unknown. But here's the message of grace. Here's the gospel.

Fear not. Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which will be to all people. For unto you is born this day of the city of David, a savior, which is Christ the Lord. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God and saying glory to God to the highest on earth. And on earth, peace, goodwill toward men.

What a time. The host of angels singing glory to God to the highest and on earth, peace, goodwill. I want you to get this view of the greatness of Jesus Christ. With the father before the world began, coming here through the virgin birth, the angelic host coming and singing this glorious anthem when he was born.

And then while John had pointed out that this is the one who is preferred before me. After John the Baptist was arrested, but in prison, he had moments of doubt. And he sent a messenger and asked Jesus, aren't thou he or should we look for another? And here's the answer Jesus gave him.

The blind received their sight and the lame walked. The lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear and the dead are raised up. Here's clear evidence that he was the one that was prophesied over and over again throughout Old Testament scriptures. And he was performing miracles as a testimony that he was the God man. And then we think about what he taught. In the Sermon on the Mount, the longest of the sermons delivered by Jesus, Matthew chapter 7 verse 28. It came to pass when Jesus had ended these things, the people were astonished at his doctrine for he taught them as one having authority, not as the scribes. So when he finished his discourse, the people are astonished.

They're amazed. There's something different about this man. He speaks with authority. He's not like these scribes that we hear most of the time. He's unique.

He stands out. And then there came that day when Jesus went up into the mountain with Peter, James and John. And what a unique experience transpired. Matthew chapter 17 verse 5, while he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. And behold, a voice out of the cloud which said, this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him. Voice from heaven.

This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. Hear it. What he has to say? You need to hear it. You need to receive it. You need to acknowledge it.

And they fell on their face and were sore afraid. You see, this man, Jesus, is no ordinary man. He is the God-man.

I want you to see his greatness, his glory, his magnificence. And ultimately, he fulfilled the purpose for which he came. As the Lamb of God, he gave himself for the death of Calvary. Pilate had said, what then shall I do with Jesus which is called the Christ? And Jesus said, you can do nothing except that which is given to my Father. It was all the design of God that his son would come as the perfect sacrifice. All those beasts offered on Jewish altars simply pointed to the time that the perfect sacrifice would be made. So Hebrews chapter 1 verse 3 says, who being the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person and upholding all things with the word of his power.

Now get that. Not only do we read in John chapter 1 that he was the Creator, but we read here that he holds it all together. He upholds all things with the word of his power. When he by himself purged our sins, he sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high. Those priests of Old Testament times could not sit down in the tabernacle of the temple because the work was never done. When today's work was finished, there was more work to do tomorrow.

When this year's sacrifice was offered, it had to be done again next year. But when Jesus, the Lamb of God, offered himself without spot, that work was forever complete. He sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high. So after he had given himself and they had taken him to the cross, nailed him there, and before he died he said, it is finished. He had finished the work, given him with the Father to do. Well, he was in the grave three days and three nights, but he arose victorious over sin, Satan, and death.

Matthew 28 5, it says, and the angel answered and said unto the women, that says, as they came to the tomb that morning, fear not ye, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, he is risen, as he said, come see the place where the Lord lay. His enemies thought they had conquered him, but death could not hold him. He came forth the mighty conqueror. After forty more days, he ascended back to glory, and the disciples saw him as he lifted off the earth.

Acts chapter 1 verse 11, ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, so shall come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. And so today he is exalted at the right hand of the Father on high.

He is King of kings and Lord of lords. But the point we want to make in looking at this text, this glorious savior, this one so highly exalted, this one above all, describes himself as being meek and lowly in heart. Here he gives us a view, a unique view into his own heart, gentle and lowly. When we read the description of his greatness, of his power, of his majesty, we might think I could never approach him.

I could never expect that he would even notice me, think about me, or be willing to help me. But this is not what somebody said about Jesus. Somebody didn't just observe him and say well he is gentle and lowly. This is the way Jesus described himself. Since he was the perfect God man, he never made a mistake.

He never made a declaration that wasn't true. He says I am meek and lowly. And he says come unto me.

What a warm inviting word. Come, come, an inviting to come. He said in John chapter 6, him that cometh unto me I will in the wise cast out. He is the one who said suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not. The disciples are ready to drive them away because they didn't want Jesus to be disturbed. But Jesus said suffer them to come, come unto me.

In Luke chapter 5 verse 30 it says, But the scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do you eat and drink with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answered and said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. Now if you know you're a sinner, that's good news.

If you feel to be worthy and self-righteous, this message will have no appeal. But if you know I've broken God's law, I've sinned and come short of his glory, I deserve nothing, he'll rejoice that he came to save sinners. He said, For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Listen to Jesus' tender words. I may be speaking to somebody who could say, I believe I received that rest when he says come unto me and I will give you rest.

You may look back and say it was many years ago in childhood. I didn't know a lot, but I knew enough to know I needed Jesus and I came to him by faith and trusted him and he had given me rest. But of late you've had difficulty enjoying that additional rest which he said you would find by taking his yoke upon you and learning of him.

The troubles of the past months have taken their toll. You find yourself anxious and restless, but listen to the precious words of Jesus. Come unto me. As our great high priest, he is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Isn't that marvelous to know I can come to Jesus, not trying to hold anything back, but admit, Lord, I am weak.

I need thee desperately. I acknowledge my unworthiness, but there's nowhere else to go. I come to you. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities and ever lives to make intercession for us so he bleeds our keys.

Oh, yes, come. Come to him with your heavy heart today, trying to struggle against satanic attacks as he would discourage you. Come, come unto me, says Jesus. For I may be speaking to some who have never had peace with God. You've tried several ways to find rest for your soul, but you're still laboring and heavy laden.

Hear the words of Jesus. He says, come to me. He is gentle.

He is lowly in heart. He will not turn you away. You say, but I'm such a great sinner. Come, come unto me. You say, there's so much I don't know, but he says, come. Come unto me.

He'll not turn you away. Come to Jesus today. Dear Savior, we thank thee for these comforting, precious words that you, though great, glorious, and majestic, have said that you are meek and lowly in heart and invite us to come to you. May all today who are troubled come in faith and find rest with their souls. May those who have never had that given rest see today their desperate need and come to Jesus. Hear us for thy name's sake, we pray.

Amen. His compassion, blood, and pain, broken hearts and wounded spirits are at once they whole again. What beautiful, tender words spoken by our Savior Jesus Christ, King of kings, Lord of lords, yet he came humbly to this earth and spoke while he was here these precious words, come unto me.

I hope that you will write us this week. Till next week at the same time, may the Lord richly bless you all. Jesus still to Israel gives, nor shall e'er a sinner perish, who in his dear name believes. Broken by the laws of thunder to the cross for refuge plea, for his conscience sorrows ponder, Jesus strives that he let thee... The Baptist Bible Hour has come to you under the direction of Elder LeSaire Bradley, Jr., pastor of the Cincinnati Primitive Baptist Church. Address all mail to the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio 45217. That's the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio 45217. In his righteousness confiding, sheltered safe beneath his wing, here they find the sure abiding, and of God and mercy sing, Seek my soul, no other healing, but in Jesus' holy love, he beneath the Spirit's ceiling, as a great high priest with God.