John chapter 11 is one of two great passages in the bible in which we are introduced to the Shepherd character of our God. The Shepherd character of our God flows from His love and care and compassion for His sheep that have wandered and gone astray. This Shepherd is no simple religious guru nor teacher. Our Good Shepherd has paid the ultimate price to claim the souls of these lost sheep. He has come through the door. There was nothing underhanded nor dubious in the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus. A work has to be undertaken. The Old Testament prophesies had to be fulfilled. A fallen humanity didn't just need a handful of new ideas or high standards. A fallen, lost and sinful humanity needed a Saviour, a sin bearer, one who could set free and save His people from sin and judgment. This alone is found in the Good Shepherd who gave His life for His sheep. 

A gospel message preached by Dr J Stewart Gillespie, at Bridgend Gospel Hall, New Cumnock. 

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Revolutionary words from the lips of God's unique Saviour echo through Matthew chapter 11. Many had missed who Jesus truly was. The power and significance of His miracles had gone straight over their heads! Jesus could produce bread that was good enough for them and their bellies. Jesus could heal the deaf, the lame and the blind, that was even better than going to the doctor. The revelation of who He was through the demonstration of what He is able to do completely alluded many. Against the backdrop of such apparent bitter disappointment with towns like Capernaum and Bethsaida the Lord Jesus bursts into thanksgiving and praise! So long as God is in control, so long as His Father remains Lord of heaven and earth, there is meaning in the madness, purpose behind the problems! It may well have been the case that a stubborn core of self professed experts proudly aspired to tell God how they would get to heaven and what the right 'religious' was truly was, but the message of Jesus was only for the babes (Matthew chapter 11 verse 25), for those humble enough to ask God what His way was and then to take it on board and obey it! 

Matthew chapter 11 verse 28 has at its core a person: "come to me". This is the core not only of verse 28 but of the bible in it's entirety. Jesus is the subject of prophecy, pictures and the many repeated patterns in the bible. David in the Psalms, Isaiah and Zechariah in their prophecies all anticipated the advent of God born into time, prepared to suffer for the sinner (Isaiah 53 & Psalm 22) and victorious in resurrection (Psalm 16). Jesus calls us to rest, to complete spiritual rest that penetrates deep into our soul. He alone is able to lift the burdens of fear, death, judgment and hell. He is the sin bearer, the only one powerful enough to forgive sin and transform lives. The call of Jesus Christ is a call to saving faith in a person.

From a gospel message preached from Matthew chapter 11 verse 28 by Dr J Stewart Gillespie, preached at the Bridgend Gospel Hall, New Cumnock.