Matthew 11:20-30

20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles, because they hadn’t repented of their sins and turned to God. 21 “What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse. 22 I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you.

23 And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today. 24 I tell you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you.

25 At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. 26 Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!

27 My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Comments

This is the first time all year Jesus has spoken such judgment. We tend to associate that with the Old Testament or with John the Baptist, but Jesus pronounces judgment too (especially in Matthew). But note that his judgment is directed at places he had visited, where people had seen his power displayed and heard him preach. They are judged specifically for squandering a great spiritual privilege. The same is true for us. We worry sometimes about the eternal fate of people who never hear about Jesus, but what Jesus is warning about here is not that. He is warning about people who do hear his message, who do see his works, and yet do not change, do not become his disciples. This is judgment on people who should be disciples, people who are going through the motions of being disciples, but aren’t really. If we go through the motions of following Jesus, if we are so clever we think ourselves out of obedience, we are squandering the great spiritual privilege we have been given.

Also note the claim Jesus makes in v.27. We will read something very similar in John 14 later this year, but this is probably the clearest we have read yet of Jesus claiming to be one with the Father. Martin Luther said, “Stop speculating about the Godhead and climbing into heaven to see who or what or how God is; hold on to this man Jesus, he is the only God we’ve got!” The Father is revealed to us in Jesus. All our understanding of God must be based on Jesus and measured against Jesus. Jesus is our theological standard. Always.

The call at the end is one of the most wonderful things Jesus ever said. He threatens judgment, asserts his right to judge and the significance of rejecting him, admits that not all receive him – then throws his arms wide open and invites all who will to come and follow him. Unlike other religions that are strict, harsh, and prideful (sounds like the Puritans!), Jesus is low key, gentle, humble, the giver of rest. Following Jesus is still work, but it is easy work, once you realize how beneficial it is to you and everyone around you. Jesus will lift your burdens, lighten your load – then set you to work setting others free of their burdens too. Which is the best work of all.

Matthew 11:1-19

When Jesus had finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went out to teach and preach in towns throughout the region.

2 John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, 3 “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”

4 Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— 5 the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. 6 And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.’”

7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? 8 Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. 9 Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. 10 John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’

11 I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is! 12 And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it. 13 For before John came, all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time. 14 And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come. 15 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!

16 To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends, 17 ‘We played wedding songs, and you didn’t dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn’t mourn.’

18 For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”

Comments

Just a few things to note here. First, the advice Jesus gives to John’s disciples – tell him what you are seeing and hearing is good advice for us when we share about Jesus with others. Sometimes we jump right away to doctrine or even Bible stories, but the most effective thing to tell someone is part of your own story of how Jesus has healed, resurrected, and transformed your own life. Scripture and doctrine are important, but sharing your faith should be just that – telling people how Jesus has proven himself trustworthy in your own life. (This means you have to trust Jesus and act on that trust in order to have such stories.)

Second, Jesus explains his relationship to Scripture here – it all points to him. All of the Hebrew Bible and all the New Testament must be understood as they relate to Jesus. He gives many passages a new/different meaning than if we ignore how it is pointing to Jesus.

Third, Jesus says no one has ever been greater than John – only then to say that the least person in the kingdom is greater. There is a leveling of leadership here, an understanding that not even being the greatest prophet to ever live puts one above anyone else in Jesus’ kingdom. Leaders shouldn’t push their people around, and those being led should only follow leaders who understand that egalitarianism is a foundational part of the kingdom of God.

Fourth, Jesus had a reputation by this point for partying with the wrong crowd. I’m so glad he did.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Mike Raburn

God speaks to you. Listen. Act on what you hear.

Tag: Matthew

Red Letter Year: 4/9

Matthew 11:20-30

Red Letter Year: 4/8

Matthew 11:1-19