Choose Jesus

The Jesus Alternative

Matthew 11:28-30

August 27, 2023

When you think about it, we make so many decisions on a given day. I really don’t want you to think about it, just trust me, because it’s overwhelming to think about. Want a cup of coffee? You can go to the Alexandria Bakery, Casey’s, Get Go, Village Pantry, or Rachels, of just make your own cup of coffee. That’s if you don’t want to drive outside of Alexandria. You can come to church and we’ll make you a cup as well.

We also have decisions to make when we go to the store . . . do we buy generic or the name brand? Do I buy Kellogg’s cereal Fruit Loops, or Looped Fruits, or Fruit Spins or Fruitie Tooties? And is there really a difference?

Or the one I personally use - - Raisin Bran Crunch or Crunchy Granola Raisin Bran. And I might add the Aldi version is perfect!

You see, we have lots of choices in so much of what we do, and then you add online buying and those choices, decisions, alternatives dramatically increases.

Many times when we think of an alternative, we think of something that’s worse. We think of something that’s worth settling for. Oh well, it’s not the main thing, it’s an alternative, it’s not quite as good, the flavor’s not as good, but it’s cheaper. We make some of our decisions that way, thinking, we’re just settling.

Then when life issues hit us, we have alternatives as well. We can turn to the self-help culture, Dr. Phil and others and buy into finding wholeness through ways which may seem quicker and easier.

But, I want to talk about an alternative. An alternative named Jesus.

We’re going to look at what Jesus said in Matthew 11 - - -

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.” - Matthew 11

When we get to chapter 11 of Matthew we see that there’s a lot going on. There’s a crisis. It’s a spiritual crisis.

John the Baptist is in prison and he’s heard about what Jesus has been doing. He’s baptized Jesus, but they still aren’t sure if Jesus is the One. So, his disciples come to Jesus and ask Jesus very directly - - -

3 Are you the one who is to come? Or shall we look for another? - Matthew 11

They don’t recognize who He is, His true identity. They want to know if you’re not the real one, then we need to look for an alternative. Jesus doesn’t simply say YES, I’m the guy. Instead He tells them to report back what they’ve seen. In other words, I’m the One!!

But then he adds a series of WOES! Jesus - - -

20 Then began to denounce the cities where most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.

He’s playing off of what John’s disciples have asked Him. You saw me, you experienced me, yet, you have not changed at all. You’re still the same. You’re still deep in your sins. You should have changed because you met me, but you didn’t. So, Jesus says WOES to various cities where He was.

In spite of His disappointment and frustration with the people, with Jesus, there’s always hope. That’s really part of the beauty of who God is. He’s a God of hope. That never ends! And Jesus offers that hope beginning in verse 28

There’s still an opportunity even for those who have not accepted Him. So we will look this morning at Jesus as the alternative.

It would have been cool to have been there and have Jesus look you in the eye and say COME TO ME . . .

I could hear Him saying it in an almost whisper like voice, yet with power and conviction . . . . COME TO ME . . . COME TO ME . . . . COME!

This phrase, “Come to me,” is something that we see throughout the Bible, but with different words. The Lord God says to Israel many times in the Old Testament, “Return to me, return to me.”

He says to Jeremiah, “Call to me and I will answer, and I will tell you great and mighty things that you do not know.” And here He says these great words of comfort . . . COME TO ME . . . All Who Are Weary

And Jesus calls who? All those who are weary and heavy laden. This is who He’s addressing. It’s not just these followers of John, but it’s all who are tired, all who are weary, all who are laboring or toiling or working.