Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30

Aim: To help the pupil understand more completely that Jesus Christ is the Divine Son of God, the promised Messiah to Israel and Savior of sinners.

Golden Text: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20-21.

The prayers of Jesus Christ are a very interesting and informative study. Just as “never man spake as this man,” we can say, “Never prayed a man as Jesus prayed.”

His prayers reveal Who He is. The Heavenly Father is His Father. He is the Son of God, who existed as God before the world ever began (John 1:1-3).

Through Jesus, the Heavenly Father is revealed to mankind, and through His prayers is revealed the Divine Son of God. He reveals things to whom He will (vs. 25).

I. It is the Heavenly Father who hides things and reveals things to men (Matthew 11:25-26). Many things were revealed that had been hidden. Many things in God’s operations are still hidden. Many things about God has been revealed by Jesus Christ. More is yet to be revealed.

The Father hides and reveals things according to His own will and good pleasure (vs. 26).

II. Jesus plainly revealed His relationship with the Father in His prayer (Matthew 11:27). First, the Father has committed all things into the hand of Jesus Christ.

This is verified by Christ in praying on another occasion. In John 17:1-4, Jesus acknowledged that He and the Father had the same glory before the world began (vs. 1, 4).

He acknowledged that all power (authority) was given to him over men by the Father (vs. 2).

He acknowledged that knowing Him and the Father personally and intimately constitutes eternal life (eternal salvation, vs. 2-3).

Lastly, Jesus acknowledged that He had completed the work that the Father had sent Him to do. He was ready to be offered up for the sins of men.

Second, a knowledge of the Son, Jesus Christ, can be known only as the Father reveals Him to men (Matthew 11:27).

Third, a knowledge of God the Father can be known only as the Lord Jesus Christ reveals Him to men (v. 27).

This is reveled in John 1:18, “the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” Again in Hebrews 1:3, “Who (Jesus) being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person.”

Jesus expressed this truth to Philip in John 14:8-11, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?” Jesus thus confirmed that He is the divine Son of God, the Messiah come down from God.

III. Jesus’ call to men indicates that He is Supreme over men (Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus calls men to come unto Him in order to find rest for their souls. He instructs them that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Only He can rest the soul of man.

“I rest my soul on Jesus,

“Though wretched and sinful and vile.

“I rest my soul on Jesus

“Through faith in God’s Son I’m His child.”

In closing, look at the Golden Text above and you will see more words of Christ Himself as He prayed to the Father concerning those who were His followers.

Only Christ could pray such a prayer as these prayers because the truths revealed show that He is the Messiah-Savior.