mat12

Matthew 11:1 This passage of scripture seems to be standing alone as the opening for chapter 11, and might better be placed as the ending verse of chapter 10. The reason I say this is because after verse one the topic of the chapter changes completely thus making verse one to seem out of place. For this would be the perfect closing statement for Jesus after having said all that He had in chapter ten. This statement tells us that once Jesus had finished instructing the disciples as to how they would be received, how they should act, etc., that they then went out to the cities and began to preach and teach with the authority given them by Jesus and Jesus of course through His authority from God His Father.

Matthew 11:2-4 John the Baptist had been put in prison around 27 A.D. and the account of this can be found in Mark 6:17-20. John being in prison for almost a year now had heard of the works of Christ (Luke 7:18-35) and wondering why if Christ were the Messiah He had not yet set up His kingdom, John sent two of His disciples to question Jesus. When they arrived they spoke to Jesus saying, "Art thou he that cometh, or do we look for another." John spoke of Christ as being the Messiah but now he questioned it because of no kingdom being set up on earth. As to why John would all of a sudden question the reality of Christ being the Messiah is puzzling, but reason would have one believe that being in prison and seemingly forsaken by the one you proclaimed as coming for so long and seeing no kingdom set up would make room for doubt. Another explanation for John's seeming doubt could be that he wanted to see Jesus publicly make the statement that HE truly is the Messiah. But in knowing the Bible, in knowing what is contained therein the message of Christ is one of faith and John the Baptist's faith wavered! This passage lets us know that even the strongest of Believers can waver in their faith. And I'm sure that John along with the disciples as we see as we continue to study the Word believed like the other Jews etc., that the Messiah would come and set up His kingdom on earth. So as the news of Jesus traveled across the country but still no earthly kingdom being set up would bring doubt to many. And Jesus answered unto John's disciples saying go tell John that which you have seen and heard. Jesus did not give a direct answer of yes or no to John and I'm sure that is what John hoped for but it didn't come. And this as we know is the way faith is, you believe without seeing! To tell John to look at what has happened and visualize that which the disciples have seen and heard is to tell John to strengthen his faith and once faith is strengthened John would realize the truth and be at peace.

Matthew 11:5 Jesus is summarizing his work and our work with this verse. The poor have the Gospel preached to them is classed seemingly even above raising the dead. The importance of preaching the Gospel is shown in that it goes to all people. Attending to the poor and downtrodden has always been a priority of Christianity. To give them attention comes above miracles. The miracles and marvelous wonders performed by the prophets, teachers, preachers, evangelists, are just that wonders and marvelous but many times can be faked but having love and compassion for the poor and downtrodden, the suffering and helpless, takes a tenderness and a labor that cannot be faked.

Matthew 11:6 Here Christ says those who can accept Him as the Messiah without stumbling and faltering around like the scribes had stumbled and failed to believe in Christ. They stumbled and failed because Jesus was not the ideal Messiah they had pictured in their minds. He didn't live up to their expectations. It is not our expectations though that is important. What is important is our true belief in Christ as the Son of God and the Messiah. Jesus wants us to recognize Him by His supreme authority over all things.

Matthew 11:7-8 Here in these verses Jesus is asking allegorical questions and expecting negative answers to them. Jesus supports the work of John as He addresses the multitudes asking them whom they went to see. Did they go to see someone that faltered with the blowing wind as a reed or was he wishy-washy bending and bowing to suit the need at hand? John was always strong and adamant as to his belief and this one doubt, this one waver of his faith does not make him less the man than before. His character has not changed because of one waver of faith.

Matthew 11:9-10 We see here that John was a messenger as well as a prophet. Prophets of old foretold the coming of the Messiah, but John was the messenger who announces Him. John, just as Jesus, was born miraculously. He was also mentioned in prophecy (Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1). Jesus says this is the one spoken of as the messenger that comes to foretell the coming of the Messiah.

Matthew 11:11 The work of a minister, evangelist, teacher of the Gospel is a position of high standing and that person who faithfully answers that call from God through Christ is highly favored. Even the "least" important Christian can be the greatest.

Matthew 11:12 Jesus says that during this time of John the Baptist's preaching there have been great multitudes coming in to hear the word and it is as a city being taken by force. As with many things in this human nature of ours we cannot wait till the proper time and we try to rush things, force things and this is what was happening they had heard the kingdom of God was at hand and as with most humans they wanted to force the kingdom to come at their time not God's. As we find in Scripture (Matthew 20:21, Luke 19 and 22, and John 6:15) people had their own opinions as to the kingdom of Christ and each one was determined to make it happen to their likes and desires. And even John the Baptist had gotten caught up in this way of acting because even he had heard of the other prophets over the years and as with all of us his faith wavered. But only those that make a true effort will find the kingdom.

Matthew 11:13-14 The Old Testament as we know is full of prophesy and all its prophesy led up to and culminated with John the Baptist. All the prophets up till John had spoken of the coming messiah in one way or another and had their conceptions of how it would take place but now Jesus is showing something that will seem strange to their common beliefs. They knew the scriptures they had their preconceived ideas of the Messiah and of the prophet that would come before the Messiah, Elijah and Jesus says if they are willing to accept it they will receive wisdom from His words. "This is Elijah, that is to come." Jesus is referring to John the Baptist as being the prophetic Elijah (John 1:21). This does not mean that Jesus is actually saying it is Elijah reincarnate but the prophet spoken of to come that we read of in Isaiah and Malachi. None of the prophets of the Old Testament would live to see the Messiah come but now John was living in the time of Jesus, the time of the coming Messiah and so although John was a prophet he was also a messenger heralding the coming of the Messiah. John was in the present announcing the Messiah was here.

Matthew 11:15 I feel that Christ is saying here that it is so perfectly clear that all one needs do is listen and see and they will be convinced of the truth. Sadly enough though few Jews heard or saw this truth and today for many it is still that way. For many Christians it is this way! So many close their ears and eyes to the truth of Christ. Many are blind and deaf even though they have eyes that see and ears that hear!

Matthew 11:16-17 The message portrayed here is that the people of this generation are like wayward children. Children without a cause or hope often are pleased by nothing and always wanting more and this is the way it was with the people always wanting more and never being pleased. They didn't like the rough behavior and attitude of John the Baptist nor did they find favor with the gentle loving manner of Christ. They played music, they mourned and lamented, and nothing done brought pleasure.

Matthew 11:18-19 The message needed to stress here is that no matter who preaches the message or what the message it is only through the grace of God that it will be accepted. Nothing we do can cause it to be accepted universally. Only the grace of God working in the heart of the people can cause the message to be received. We can eat, drink, live, dress, as others but unless we actually accept and take Christ personally we gain nothing nor change nothing in our life. Spiritual wisdom is the key and comes only from the grace of God through Christ Jesus as we accept and obey the Word.

Matthew 11:20-24 I am not sure but it seems this might be the first time that Christ reprimands or scolds the cities and people in this type of way. Christ was received joyfully at first and than doubt comes in. And with doubt comes misery, bitterness, and a falling away brought on by self not by Christ. These cities were heathen cities full of unbelievers and the word to them is that their burden their desolation will be greater even than that of Sodom. There will be judgment after death be sure of that!

Matthew 11:25-26 At that time, in other words not waiting till a later time but immediately after judgment upon the shameless, heathen cities was laid down Christ addresses God as His Father, the Father of heaven and earth and inhabitants. Christ yields to God His obedience as a child would to a parent with love. Things hidden from the wise and stuffy were hidden for a reason and revealed to the simple and believing because it was good, right, and favorable. The simple and believing would accept and gleefully spread the wonderful Word received.

Matthew 11:27-30 God so trusted in and so believed in Jesus that He delivered unto Him all things and gave Him the position of mediator over mankind. Christ is the head of all things pertaining to His kingdom, to His church and He also is the final judge of the living and the dead. His work is revealed or manifested in His love and through His Spirit. The only way anyone can find the way of God is through the Son. Without the character of Christ we know not the Father. Come before Him through the Son and receive His great wisdom. Lay down your heavy burdens before Him and He will give you rest. Come to Him sad and depressed, burdened and oppressed and He will give you joy and gladness. The sins of the world are easy to bear and live with but bring only death and defeat and the path of Christ is light and once fully accepted no longer a burden.

Father, give me the burden of Christ, put upon me the yoke of His love, and guide me with Your Holy Spirit through each step of the way so that I can share Your love with all people in Jesus name amen.
Where Jesus is Lord!
Living Vine Ministries
Pastor Thomas Miles

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