Sunday Morning Service

Matthew 11 (Click Title For Audio Access)

"What Has He Done For Me Lately!?" • 8.15.10 • Calvary Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service

Intro

- Whatever happened to John the Baptist? He played such a prominent role in the first several chapters of this book, but then faded into obscurity after Christ's baptism.

- Suffice it to say, because of His stand for righteousness, John was in prison, and had been there for some time.

- John's long prison sentence reminds us of Christ's words in chapter 10: You would be persecuted for your faith and some would give their lives.

- This time of imprisonment seemed to foster doubt in the heart of John, causing him to question.

-Jesus is about to address John's questions, as well as several other reactions to Him and His message, here in chapter 11

Text

• Matthew 11:1-3 : "Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'" : Jesus has begun to make the circuit, the disciples, going out in pairs in front of Him.

- On His way, two of John's disciples come to Jesus with this probing question. They had visited their teacher in prison. Even there in prison, Jesus' works were making news!

- Jesus was John's cousin in the flesh, through Mary. John was one of the first in the book of Matthew, to confidently assert that Jesus was the Messiah.

- But there he was in prison. Time had gone by slowly and in the dark recesses of his prison cell, John began to wonder: Was Jesus the One? Was He who I thought? Was He truly the Messiah?

- A few commentators seek to bail John out, noting that it might have been his disciples that needed a personal experience with the Lord.

- If that were the case, there would be a great application. What better way to silence a skeptic than to make him go to Jesus for proof! However, it seems more plausible that this was John's doubt.

- What had happened to shake his faith? Let's begin with the prolonged period of suffering that John was experiencing. Many believe that John had been imprisoned for almost a year!

- "If Jesus is really the Messiah, then He would begin to deal with this unrighteous suffering! Certainly, He would change the circumstances that have held me here."

- Our expectations of what Christ should or should not do often fuel the flames of disappointment. We expect that if Christ is real, then our "this" should be dealt with!

- John's question looks at Christ from a self-centered point of view, which will always tend to cripple us. Christ's presence is no more or no less real in times of suffering than it is in times of good.

• Matthew 11:4-6 : "Jesus answered and said to them, 'Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see 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. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.'" : First, I want you to notice that Jesus answered. This encourages me greatly.

- In the presence of a question that expresses doubt and confusion, Jesus simply begins to answer. If such a question was turned to me, out of insecurity, I might say, "Where's your faith!?"

- In the same way that Jesus took time to touch a human being for physical healing, so also will He take the doubting heart, and bring comfort to it!

- Take your questions to the Lord. He already knows what doubts hide behind our words.

- He is never afraid of honest inquiry. In fact, this is the very essence of the relationship that He wants to have with you.

- Jesus points these disciples to what is happening. John was wondering why something was NOT happening. This is where we often get tripped up.

- Christ's presence hasn't answered this area in my life. Ah, but Christ HAS answered this other area in a very convincing fashion.

- We would do well to look at what He is doing before fretting about what He has not yet done in our lives.

- John was to hear an eyewitness account. John himself could not see what had been happening, but these disciples could.

- They could report to John the things that they experienced, in this case the miraculous things that occurred around the Lord Jesus.

- The blind and lame are healed. The lepers and the deaf are changed. Even the dead were being raised up! All the while, the good news was being preached to the poor.

- Now, why does Jesus answer John this way? Jesus reports the works of His ministry and they are the very works that the Prophets said the Messiah would perform.

- While there is not a direct quote here, shades of what is reported can be seen in several passages in Isaiah, most notable among them are Isaiah 29:18, 35:4-6 and 42:6,7.

- Isaiah 35 is an intriguing passage. Isaiah is describing the wilderness as a wasteland, but that there will be a wonderful blossom, speaking prophetically of the Messiah's coming.

- To the fearful hearted, it is to be spoken very similar words to what is recorded here.

- I wonder if Jesus had that particular passage in mind, especially given the last phrase in this section. The man who does not fall away on account of Christ will be blessed.

- Jesus is saying, "Blessed is the man that does not give into his doubts about me!"

• Matthew 11:7-11 : "As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: 'What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: ‘ Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." : John the Baptist's ministry, despite his doubts presently, was to be applauded publicly.

- This is something else to note: Christ doesn't disqualify him for his present failings! Jesus still speaks of him in a way here that dispels any thought of depreciation.

- The people had gone out to see John. They were drawn to him. He was a lightning rod of a character. John was not someone that could easily be swayed to anyone's opinion.

- He was not a reed, the type that grows near the river, that bends at the slightest blow from the wind. No, John was the wind blowing against the reeds.

- Additionally, John was not a political force, wearing the clothes of the politician. He was a prophet. He spoke for God to the people. This is what they were drawn to.

- But John was more than a Prophet. He was the final Prophet. He was the Prophet that had been promised by the Lord in Malachi 3:1. John was Christ's forerunner.

- He got the privilege of announcing the coming of the Messiah, Israel's and indeed, humanity's hope. This was John's privilege and in light of Christ, his greatness.

- John would die soon, being one that pointed to Christ in His first coming. He would forever be the last of those that God would call into the Prophetic office.

- He would be the greatest of the Prophets, but his greatness would always be in a hope that was not fulfilled in his lifetime. Christians, the least in the Kingdom, are greater than John.

- We are "greater" in that, we can stand and say confidently, that sin has been done away with and we have seen clearly what was revealed to the prophets only in shadow.

- We are "greater" in that we are living a life that is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The Prophets had the Spirit coming upon them. We have Him living within us!

- Finally, we are greater in the sense that our mission is universal. We are called to preach the gospel to the entire world, a scope that John could never have had.

• Matthew 11:12-19 : "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! 'But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, and saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not lament.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.'" : In these 7 verses, Jesus is outlining the response of the people to John's ministry, as well as to His own.

- John was truly great and crowds went out to see Him. From that point until the moment that Jesus was speaking, ie. in His own ministry, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence.

- What is Jesus saying here? The first interpretation could go like this: Since John, the Kingdom has been the victim of violence.

- Herod was a man that was attacking it by imprisoning John. Perhaps there were other incidents. This could be the case.

- On the other hand, listen to the NIV's rendering, which gives us a different color of meaning.

• Matthew 11:12 (NIV) : "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it."

- John began something that opened a door. When Jesus came onto the scene, the Kingdom activity had taken on a great upswing.

- Christ's advance has been moving rapidly and those who have been swift have caught on! He is saying that nobody gets caught up in it casually.

- Nobody just happens on and gets to be there who does not have serious intention!

˚ "...Only the man who is desperate in earnest, in whom the violence of devotion matches and defeats the violence of persecution will in the end enter into (the Kingdom of God.)" William Barclay

- Jesus has been the culmination of God's program. All the Prophets and their teaching had led up to this point and if the people would receive it, then John would have fulfilled the role of Elijah!

- He was telling them, if you are willing to acknowledge me as your Messiah, then all of Prophecy is complete! Unfortunately, they did not receive it, they began to reject it!

- Jesus says that there was nothing that could be done. The people were fickle and critical.

- John was austere, eating grasshoppers and wearing coarse clothing. They did not respond.

- Jesus was much more approachable, but they took that for license! Either way, they would not receive the ministry of God.

- This was a culture of people who wanted something from God. Just like John himself, they believed that the Messiah would bring them something that satisfied their mind, their expectations.

- God sent them two of the most dynamic persons in the history of the world, one of them being HIMSELF, and they found nothing interesting in what God had to offer.

- The wisdom of their ministry, and the wisdom in any other ministry, is not in what people thought of it, but by what it produces!

• Matthew 11:20-24 : "Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: ^'Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, 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. But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.'" : Jesus has responded to John's doubt, the people's criticism and now we have these city's indifference to Him.

- Jesus had done all of His miracles in order that people might repent of their sins and turn to Him as their Messiah. It was all of the proof that He had.

- He had done everything that the Prophets had said the Messiah would do. The people marveled and gathered around in multitudes. They sought to be near Him, but they did not repent!

- Jesus had grown popular, but it seems that this was due mostly for superficial reasons. They saw a magic show and came back for more, but they missed the entire point of repentance!

- Imagine these cities. They literally had the King of Kings present among them. They saw lepers healed, dead people raised and every possible disease defeated.

- They were witnesses to the history that we are reading about. They were there and they did not repent. Woe to them Jesus says, especially Capernaum.

- Capernaum was Christ's headquarters! Most of the works that we've read about happened in that small city! The people of Sodom, having had the opportunity, would have repented!

• Matthew 11:25 : "At that time Jesus answered and said, 'I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes." : While Jesus is lamenting the large group of people that rejected Him, He also takes the opportunity to praise the Lord.

- He thanks the Father, the Lord of heaven and earth, the sovereign ruler over all. What does He thank Him for? He thanks Him for hiding these things from a certain audience.

- The word "hidden" comes from a word meaning to store away in secret. God kept this treasure of Christ secret from those who were wise and prudent in their own minds.

- There is some great sarcasm here, as the Lord is using the words "wise and prudent" to refer to those with great intellectual or religious pride.

- Jesus is not saying that God intended to hide these things from people. It might be better explained that God did not cater to the expecations of those that thought themselves wise.

- At the same time, God did reveal these things to another group of people. The things that He had hidden, or obscured from view, these same things He openly showed to babies!

- The word "babes" here refers to infants, people who have great need and are totally dependant upon another for life. Listen to the NLT's take on this verse.

• Matthew 11:25 (NLT) : "Then Jesus prayed this prayer: 'O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding the truth from those who think themselves so wise and clever, and for revealing it to the childlike."

- God allowed all to watch the same things, but only the most needy will apprehend it.

• Matthew 11:26,27 : "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. " : Why did God choose to do things this way? It seemed good to Him. It was good in His sight, according to what He thinks!

- God's plan of redemption, a mystery to us, is good in His sight.

- Jesus says here that everything had been given to Him by God. What has He been given? Authority, power, sovereignty and the keys to redemption!

- Jesus is the recipient of the same power that God the Father enjoys. Jesus is saying the He is God, by having all power and by calling God His Father. This is the essence of Christ's claim here.

- Nobody on earth at that time, could claim to have known the Son. Only the Father knew Him.

- Likewise, nobody knew the Father, except Jesus. They had great union and fellowship and indeed, were One in essence, purpose and desire.

- But Jesus could reveal the Father to those that He willed to reveal Him to! Jesus is saying that it was not within the human capacity to recognize God through natural means.

- He is saying that people can only know God with God's help and Jesus is trying to help people see God! So what does Matthew record that Jesus says next?

• Matthew 11:28-30 : "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.'" : In light of Christ's assertion that only those that He reveals the Father to will know the Father, Jesus invites those who hear: Come to Me!

- In other words, "You want to see the Father? Come to the Son!"

- Who is to come? All who labor and are heavy laden. The word "labor" could better be translated "exhausted from their labors,' while "heavy laden" could be translated "loaded down."

- The word "labor" refers to burdens that we place on ourselves, while "heavy laden" refers to burdens that other lay upon us.

- That was a proper picture of those that Jesus ministered among, as well as those today. - They were exhausted from the labor of trying to be right with God through the power of their own efforts. They were loaded down with the weight of their sin and the cares of the world.

- Jesus offers to do for them what they cannot do for themselves. He promises to give then rest. Literally, Jesus is offering to calm their very souls!

- He offers His yoke, an instrument of work, but one that is easy and light. This is an interesting picture that requires further investigation.

- The word "easy" in the original language is better translated "well fitting." It's a yoke that is form fit to the specifications of the given animal.

- As a result, it's perfect for the animal that bears it. Jesus is telling you and I that He is offering peace with Him, with man and with our own purpose.

- When Jesus fits us for a yoke, it's one that we will bear with ease, for it is made with us in mind. It is crafted lovingly and specifically with our frame in mind.

Conclusion

- Jesus comforts the doubting, confronts the critics and is confounded by the indifferent. But to the ones that are willing to come to Him, He conforms them to a burden that fits them perfectly.

- To the one who will come to Him in faith, He promises to give them the rest that they so desire and cannot find anywhere else in life.