Matthew

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Mat 11:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
Mat 11:2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
Mat 11:3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
Mat 11:4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
Mat 11:5 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.
Mat 11:6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

We see a glimpse here of John The Baptist as a human being. First of all we know that John Baptized Jesus and the Spirit of God bore witness to John, "Behold the lamb of God which takes the sin of the world." See the difference. John was full of the Holy Spirit when He baptized Jesus, when he preached and a different times he recognized Jesus by the Spirit within him. I don't think he recognized Jesus as the one sent from God in the natural or because he was a distant relative.

While in prison perhaps John was in the flesh and had doubts. Perhaps he too was expecting an immediate kingdom to be set up as most of the Jews of that day expected. John though knew that the Messiah had to first take away sin but I wonder if he may have thought the final setting up of the kingdom would come immediately after and so he began to ask questions.

John knew that Jesus must increase and he must decrease. Perhaps also he just wanted to make sure Jesus was the one so that he could accept his own death easier.

This does show us that all of us have a natural man within us. We are flesh. After we come to Christ we need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and then walk in the spirit so that we do not fulfill the lust of the flesh. At times though we may see things by the flesh rather than the spirit. When we do that we may just get things wrong.

Do we ever wonder why there is so many interpretations of the scriptures? That is because sometimes we:
1. Are receiving understanding by the flesh rather than the Holy Spirit.
2. Are receiving understanding according to those we have heard preach.
3. Are receiving understanding according to church tradition instead of diligently searching for the truth.

This may be why we have preachers that preach great and preach anointed messages and at other times they get a few things wrong. They are still flesh and sometimes they may preach in the flesh rather than in the spirit. It is any wonder then why our Lord saw fit to give us the written word in a volume so that we can search and study for ourselves. The only reason we would want to withhold the written word to the common man would be so that we can teach them our own agenda instead of the truth. I realize that the church withhold the bible from the common man for their own good at first thinking they would misinterpret and give way to heresy. After that the heretics were the ones that were doing the interpreting. Heretics are never limited to the common unlearned people. They can come from the top. Never suppress the truth from anyone or we will face the judgment of God.

Jesus doesn't seem surprised that John asked after Him and wanted to make sure Jesus truly was the one and not look for another. It may have been the case of John knew but really didn't know for sure when he was being tried in the flesh.

Then too, his motive may have been just to direct his own followers in the direction of Jesus and wanted them to be convinced that Jesus was the right one to follow at this time.

Jesus said blessed are they that are not offended in Him. He does cause offense. Perhaps he is telling John not to be offended if he doesn't fulfill his own preconceived ideas of what the Messiah should be. Remember the Jews were expecting a great warrior and conqueror rather than a savior. That is why He could easily cause offense.

They saw the miracles and knew He was someone with the power of God and yet He would preach, "Repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

They probably thought that it was the Romans that were the sinners, why should they have to repent. That is why it is hard to get religious people who already think they have a special pipe line to God, to repent and get right with God.

Mat 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?
Mat 11:8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.

If they were looking for a great rich ruler or polished leader, it wouldn't be John for he was a regular guy, called for a purpose and willing to live in the wilderness and die in prison for the cause for which God appointed him.

If we get a guest speaker that dresses fancy and wears rich clothing, I shy away rather than get impressed.

Mat 11:9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
Mat 11:10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

This of foretold in Malachi 3:1

Mat 11:11 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.

I don't believe any of us are greater than John the Baptist as a person exactly but we have the greater privilege of being born again by the Spirit and receiving the spirit of God after the resurrection of Jesus. John was still part of the old law that was to be fulfilled and done away with in Christ. All that come through Christ and are born anew by the Holy Spirit are new creatures in Christ and part of the kingdom heaven.

We see now that faith in Christ for our salvation and the receiving of the Holy Spirit that is now given to each and every believer that is obedient to the faith that is preached by Jesus and the apostles, is greater than being a prophet in the old testament.

This is why we must not take the gifts of God lightly. Individuals and not just those called to be apostles, prophets and teachers are people that can be baptized with the Holy Spirit. It is available for men, women and children alike. Our part is to believe, seek and receive these good gifts from God.

Mat 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.
Mat 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

Not many received the kingdom of heaven before John the Baptist came. The only ones were a few prophets and those chosen for a service. The general public did not really seek God in the Old Testament times. Beginning with John the Baptist, we see people from all walks of life storming into the kingdom of God by faith. Tax collectors, fishermen, children, women and many on the day of Pentecost. This wonderful gift of salvation is for individuals who will come to Christ.

Mat 11:14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

John the Baptist was representative of Elijah that was promised to come before the coming of the Lord. Some believe he will also come before the second coming of Jesus, although some believe he is one of the two witnesses who will come along with Enoch. Some say, Moses and Elijah. Some say it will be Enoch and John believing that John never really died any natural death. These are points to ponder not argue over. They are just interesting to me.

Mat 11:15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Mat 11:16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
Mat 11:17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

I've read a few articles where people use this verse to justify praise dancing in the church. This is an illustration Jesus used to show how the Jewish people of that day rejected the truth that walked among them. He was not ushering in a new praise and worship dance or justifying anything of the sort. If we want to do such things, I wish we wouldn't take scriptures out of context to do so. There is nothing in the New Testament from the book of Acts to Revelation that even remotely refers to praise dancing as part of worship in the church. If we were to worship that way, looks like the apostles would have mentioned it. I'm not saying it is wrong or sin but I am saying that it is not in the New Testament writings of the apostles and so if a church refused this modern worship they are perfectly entitled to do so. I threw this in to defend those that opt out of that kind of worship, not put down those that do. Let everyone be fully persuaded in their own hearts and not condemn those that do not partake of such things and accuse them of quenching the spirit. My dad always said that if you doubt something is right or wrong, then its better to not do it.

The gospel here is given to the Jews first and it is given with signs following confirming the word. They were without excuse. It was given fervently similar to musicians playing at a festival and people not dancing and responding to the music. The gospel was preached but with little response by the Jewish people of that day.

Mat 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
Mat 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 limited his diet and didn't socialize. He came for a purpose and fulfilled that purpose. He may have been under the Nazarite vow. He lived by what he could get out in the wilds and did not drink strong drink. He was accused of being of the devil because he was not like everyone else.

Jesus ate and drank what was set before Him and mingled with sinners in order to save them. He was accused of being a glutton and winebibber but was not.

People who reject truth will find fault with the one who brings the truth.

Wisdom is justified of her children. The proof of wisdom is in the action it produces.
We know them by their fruits. Jesus produced perfect fruit and no one really could find any fault in Him.

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

How many of us would accept a preacher that upbraided us for our sins? We want someone to come and say how God is going to bless us, that we are in His favor, especially if we give big offerings, and that God loves us just the way we are. We would reject one that came and said we have to repent. Try to picture for a moment what the Lord was up against. Before we criticize the Jews, we must realize that we are no different.

Mat 11:22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
Mat 11:23 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.
Mat 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.
Mat 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 who acknowledge that they are sinners in need of repentance are the babes. Those that have the wisdom of this world and think they have no need of repentance are the ones the true wisdom is hidden from.

Mat 11:26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
Mat 11:27 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.

We absolutely cannot be reconciled back to the Father in heaven except through the Son, Jesus Christ. There is no other way to get to God.

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

Jesus does not put burdens upon His followers that they cannot possibly bear. It is those with many manmade traditions, doctrines and commandments of men that make things impossible to achieve. The gospel is simple. Yes we give up our own lives and live for Him but then He bears our burdens and takes on our sorrows. He makes the way shine before us and gives the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us. His yoke is easy and His burden truly is light. In Him is rest for our souls. The biggest burden we carry is the burden of sin. That burden is removed the moment we find Jesus Christ and our sins are removed and forgiven.

Matthew 12