MATTHEW 11 The Lord Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of prophecies concerning the coming Messiah. All He did and said made it plain who He is. People have a right to expect those who represent our Lord Jesus, to be like Him. Wisdom is able to be demonstrated, and so is our faith in Christ. When we have got good news to tell and pass on, it can often be seen by the expressions on our faces and even the changing tones of our voices. People who do not know Christ, need to be able to see through us, that real faith in a real Person, makes real living a joy; even in times of difficulty and opposition.
Matthew 11. The King’s answer to His forerunner.
Message to John the Baptist, v.1-6 The Lord Jesus Christ was going to go to other places, and had finished giving instructions to those apostles who would spread out over the country with the message, “The kingdom is near.” The Lord went to other cities and followed the same practice of teaching and preaching publicly. The “heralding” of the Gospel follows the same pattern when we are told to “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel.” That means publicly heralding the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The news of His preaching reached John who had been imprisoned by Herod. John had condemned Herod for his blatant and open sin with his brother’s wife.
There were disciples of John in other parts of the empire who knew what repentance was but had never put faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. So perhaps some early assembly believers who were Jews and were in different countries had some of the same questions about the kingdom of God that John and his disciples had. John’s disciples were loyal to him and were able to maintain contact with him in his imprisonment and could speak for him to Jesus. He knew that Messiah would come and do wonders, but he thought that Jesus would also bring judgment on the wicked, and bring in the kingdom the Jews were waiting for. He didn’t understand or know, about the second coming of Christ when He would rule and bring judgment on sinners.
The ministry of Jesus was very different from that which John, and the Jewish people, thought would happen when the Messiah came to earth. The message Jesus gave to the disciples of John was to tell him what they would “hear and see.” Prophecies were being fulfilled. The Gospel was being preached. Miracles of healing were taking place, and then to crown the message in a way that John would recognize without a doubt that Jesus was the Messiah, He said, “The dead are raised up.” John knew that was something only God can do. The forerunner would be assured that his work was right and was truly done. John had fulfilled the prophecies regarding himself and the Lord Jesus Christ, and even more; the evidence was all right out in the open for the nation to see. The identity of Jesus as the Messiah was obvious, so John was encouraged to not doubt what he did was right and that what Jesus was doing, was in the plans of God.
The encouragement to John’s faith is an encouragement to the faith of all believers. We are limited as to knowing all God is doing, but we don’t reject the fact of who the Lord Jesus is because He doesn’t do things the way we thought He would. We are spiritually blessed with life now and forever. It is impossible for us with our human limitations to understand all God does, but we are able to put our unreserved trust in Him for who He is.
Tribute to John the Baptist, v.7-19 The Lord made it plain to the people that John was not a wavering person because he asked those questions. He was a man who was solid in his faith and strong in his convictions. He was not a religious politician nor was he a huckster of religion but was a man with a mission to fulfill. He was not only a prophet but was a fulfillment of prophecy as the forerunner of the Messiah.
The three questions Jesus asked the multitudes of people who were there, were easily answered. The first two are obviously answered with a resounding “No!” That would be a reflection on the contrast of John with those who were “religious advisers,” who claimed authority over the people. The answer to the third question is a resounding, “Yes!” He was a prophet, but more was the forerunner of the Messiah. No one was greater than John the Baptist in his personhood and calling, but he was still outside the coming church which is the body of Christ and the Messianic kingdom of the future. Those who would follow the Lord Jesus Christ were given the privilege of being immersed into the Body of Christ, the church. John was the friend of the bridegroom. Those who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ would be part of the Bride.
In the kingdom, everyone has more spiritual privileges than John, because they know the Lord Jesus personally as their own Savior. They have experienced the blessing of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross for them personally and, even though He was buried, they know Him personally as the risen Lord who has ascended into heaven and is there as our Mediator at this very moment. Those who oppose the kingdom of God do so violently with real opposition, and those who seize the opportunity to enter the kingdom, do so with enthusiasm, like the publicans, sinners, and harlots.
Violence is sometimes real open opposition against the Gospel, and it can also mean that a great movement has begun bringing people to God that began with John’s preaching. Some people expected the Lord to overthrow the domination of Rome by violence. To enter the kingdom of God by faith takes more courage, faith, and determination than to fight. John was the last Old Testament prophet and is referred to as Elias bringing in the day of the Lord. John did not fulfill all that was written about Elijah. That won’t be fulfilled until the future kingdom comes.
The contrast between the reaction of the people toward John and Jesus is that of children playing the games of weddings and funerals. Like peevish children, they didn’t know what game to play, so they wouldn’t play at all. They thought John had a demon in him, and because Jesus didn’t do what their social customs dictated, they considered Him to be an out-of-control person. The wisdom of both of them was demonstrated by the results of the ministry and preaching of them both. Those cynical religious leaders were challenged by the Lord for their self-centered complacency. They were inconsistent regarding God and His truth because of the way they wanted to live. Therefore, they have no excuse for their guilt.
Condemnation of favored cities, v.20-24 The whole area of Galilee had been favored by all the mighty works the Lord Jesus Christ did there. The miracles and the healing of the sick and diseased people, made it obvious to everyone, that He was no ordinary man. His preaching was so impacting that they finally could understand the whole purpose of the law and why it was so significant to the Jews. His teaching gave an understanding of what is expected of those who know God and obey His word. Those places were certainly favored. And yet, even for all that was done there and what most of the people had participated in, one way or another; they still only considered Him to be a “wonder-working” man. They didn’t accept all of those blessings as a ‘time of visitation” by God.
Tyre and Sidon were laid waste by Nebuchadnezzar and Alexander because of their wickedness and open sinfulness. God’s judgments were allowed to come on them by His own sovereign will. Capernaum, the city where Jesus lived, had the greatest opportunity of all and would have the greatest judgment because they would not recognize that God was dwelling among them “found in fashion as a man.” One wrote in poetic form, “Never soul in hell shall burn, who has not had a chance to turn. Whether it be a pagan wild or born a Christian’s favored child; God will not suffer them to go, unwarned to everlasting woe. For nothing but rejected light, shall doom a soul to endless night.”
An open invitation of Grace, v.25-30 In His open prayer to His Father, the Lord Jesus gave an explanation of the attitude of those who ignore the fact that God is in Christ, “reconciling the world unto Himself.” Intellect and deliberate spiritual ignorance, keep people from accepting and recognizing that which faith in Christ gives. The Gospel can be understood by everyone who is willing to listen. To the degree of their capability, the Spirit of God reveals divine truth to little children as well as educated adults. It is on the basis of their acceptance of the truth He gives, that He saves them. God doesn’t reveal His truth to the worldly-wise people who think their way is right. They are arrogant in their professed knowledge of how God works and saves souls. To accept God’s salvation by simple faith is to humbly receive what God says, and trust Him. God reveals Himself to us through His Son who was sent to save us from our sins.
God’s good pleasure is the reason why faith is exercised by those who hear His word. The Lord Jesus Christ is identified as unique from everyone else because He is the Son of the Father in heaven. His authority to do all He did was a testimony to the unique fellowship between them. Others can come into the knowledge of God when the Son reveals that to them by His grace. Spiritual understanding is dependent upon the grace of God.
That knowledge and understanding of God are offered to all who believe in verse twenty-eight. All are invited to come to Him. The burden of sin, the demands of a godless-Christless religion, opposition to all who seek the Lord, and the weariness of the soul, are taken; when one comes to Christ. His authority is open to those who are weary and burdened. The opportunity to have rest of soul and the lifting of man-made obligations brings the relief that only He can give. He goes further and offers His yoke that links us to Him in a positive way. The life of a believer may not be what we want naturally, but when we are connected to our Lord, we are participating in life with Him. His strength makes the burdens light. We can even have joy in times of sorrow.
Choose a discipline and the life of discipleship, and the instructions in that commitment will bring rest and assurance that a burdened soul wants. The Teacher Himself is meek and lowly in heart. His is the strength of character and wisdom; the graciousness of humility and practical experience that we need. He does not pass on unfelt truth and He expects us to pass it on to others. There are obligations followers of Christ have, but the yoke of faithfulness and fellowship, and the burdens of preaching the Gospel, are not hard to bear. “Who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” We can surely rejoice in the Lord!