Words of Jesus Part 8

• Matthew 11:2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
• 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
• 4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
• 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
• 6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

Perhaps John the Baptist was going through a bad time and was starting to doubt that Jesus was who He said He was. Perhaps John too was expecting Christ to start the kingdom of God immediately and set up that kingdom. Many of the Jews rejected Jesus because they thought that kingdom was to immediately come. They were looking for a reigning king, not a savior from sin.

Jesus told them to tell John of what was taking place. He adds a message to all both Jews and Gentiles, not the be offended in Him. One other thought comes to my mind too. Perhaps John wanted to make sure Jesus was who He was so that he would know it was time for Jesus to increase and he (John) was to decrease. His job was done.

Jesus would eventually become king. When He came the first time though, He had to make the way for all who would receive Him to be saved from sin and be able to enter into His everlasting kingdom. He came the first time to save the lost. Being made a king then and there would have prevented the sacrifice for the sins of all mankind to take place. Without the perfect, pure sinless sacrifice of the Son of God, none of us could have eternal life. We are not saved by just being a good person apart from Jesus Christ.

Many are offended at Christ today. Prayer has been removed from public schools and some prayer is allowed in some public gatherings but notice that the speaker usually is instructed not to pray in the name of Jesus. The very name that is powerful enough to save us for eternity, heal our sicknesses, and raise us from the dead is the very one rejected by society as offensive.

• Matthew 11:7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
• 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
• 9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
• 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
• 11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Those that become "born again" by the spirit of God. Those that believe on the Lord Jesus Christ by renouncing their sins and trusting Him for salvation are going to be counted greater in the kingdom of God than even the prophets. I feel so unworthy of this. It should make us more determined to hold onto the faith once delivered to the saints. But that is how powerful salvation through Jesus Christ is. The thought that one perfect in the law of Moses and the prophets is not greater than those with simple faith in Jesus for salvation. IS AWESOME.

We are not greater in ourselves but Jesus' righteousness takes place of our own limited righteousness and we become a new creature in Christ.

• Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
• 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
• 14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
• 15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

I'm not certain of the correct meaning here except so many desire to enter the Kingdom of God and even become violent in their pursuits of it. Thus we have so many religions. However, the way of salvation is simple by turning from sin and trusting in Christ alone for salvation. Jesus brought in a new covenant and a way that is not limited to anyone no matter which race, color, background, age and status in life. All are equal and all are the same and can be saved or "born again" by faith in Jesus Christ.

Elijah the prophet was to come in the latter days. Jesus said that John the Baptist was Elijah in spirit. Some believe Elijah will return again during the tribulation period in person. Others believe Enoch may be the other one to come with Elijah since he has not yet had a natural death.

• Matthew 11:16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
• 17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

The gospel was first given to the Jews but they rejected it.

• Matthew 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.

An example of fault finding to justify rejection of the truth.

• Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

John Wesley's commentary:
Wisdom is justified by her children - That is, my wisdom herein is acknowledged by those who are truly wise.

• Matthew 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:

See how serious Jesus was about repentance yet sometimes we want to avoid this topic and go around it hoping to influence people to the gospel by being positive. Repent means to turn around and change. This cannot be done without the power of the Holy Spirit when we come to Christ. We have to be willing though to turn from sin and receive Jesus as both savior from sin and Lord of our lives. There is no salvation without true repentance. Repenting of sin and receiving Jesus Christ all go together. We can't repent and live without Jesus; neither can we receive Jesus and still go one sinning without any change. The change is instant with some and gradual in others as the grow in the things of the Holy Spirit.

• Matthew 11:21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
• 22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
• 23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Destruction of nations is caused by sin that goes beyond what God allows. That is why is scares me to see the United States allowing abortion, death by starvation, euthanasia, and other things going on by order of our judicial courts. Killing the innocent are the many abominations mentioned throughout the bible. We are without excuse more than Sodom and more than the Jews who rejected Christ. The reason is because we have heard the gospel and have known right from wrong and we still do these things as a nation. Now since I first wrote this study, many are wanting to do things to children to change their gender. We have dangerous medical experitments that I believe are being done to cut down on the population. When we leave the way God created us and try to change what He ordains it will be disasterous both for our bodies and our eternal souls. 

• Matthew 11:24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

Sodom and Gommorah would have repented if they would have heard the gospel.

• Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Those that think they are wise are really not. Those that believe the words of God are the real ones with wisdom.

• Matthew 11:26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
• 27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

It takes the Holy Spirit to understand fully the scriptures and realize who God really is.

• Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
• 29 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.
• 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Here is our promise that God will not allow us to bear more than we can manage to handle but will make a way of escape should the way get too touch. Blessed be the name of the Lord. God asks us to learn of Him. We can do that by studying the word of God. 

Words of Jesus Part 9

Words of Jesus Index