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Mathew 11- yesterday's reading
(3)
And said unto him, Art thou he that should come or do we look for another?
I have written in another study how, we as humans sometimes need to ask people if they are sent by God into our lives are have we trespassed into their lives, or they into ours...but this time, I want to write about how I see ironic I see John, in prison, when Jesus is preaching about freedom. Who wouldn't naturally ask, hey I'm in prison and I was suppose to preach about you freeing this world, what's going on? But also on another level, possibly his life is a parable about the law, we see in verse 13 it talks about the law and the prophets prophesying until John...so maybe him going into prison is kind of symbolic of how those under the law are in prison and not free? I wonder...
(7-8)
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? But what went ye out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in king's houses.
I am reminded of how so many pastors like wearing tuxedos, which I believe is silly. Many spiritually recognized the power that was in John, just as they recognized that which is in Jesus...not by a worldly dress, but by authenticy of their teachings. I really love people that have that deep sort of "gove everything for Christ" attitude.
(10,14)
For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send y messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee...And if ye shall receive it, this is Elias, which was to come.
Someone asked about the relation between Elijah (Elias) and John the baptist...well, here you have Jesus affirming that he was the "Elijah to come".
(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 am so puzzled by this verse. I know Jesus was greater than John the Baptist and Jesus was born of the Spirit and not of women...but what puzzles me about this verse is that it seems to be stating that all Christians are greater than John the Baptist? Or maybe, it is talking about his humility? Perhaps this is what it must be, John the Baptist was below everyone, serving them, so that they could se the Messiah and that is how he is the lowest?
(12-13)
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
Maybe talking about John the Baptist's persecution? I think this is more likely than the true message but not here suggested message that it is teaching us to take heaven boldly. The second verse I also wonder over. the second verse seems to explain the first verse somehow..."for"...John came to prepare the way?
(15)
He that has ears to hear, let him hear.
I wonder if I understand this passage...hmmm...
(16-19)
But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children, sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 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.
I once wrote about how this verse says they are like the children calling and not listening...because the Jews listened to themselves and to what they wanted to hear rather than what Jesus and John were teaching them in truth. But it does seem to be teaching straightforwardly that John preahced a sad message and they refused to straighten out; Jesus preached a joyous message and they refused to rejoice. But instead they sat back and judged based on their own ideas of what was right or wrong.
(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.
I still see that God grants certain people graces he does not give everyone. He straightly says that these two cities would have repented given the same grace to see miracles and wonders that Chorazin and Bethsaida saw...yet it was not granted them. So what graces has the Lord given me that he has not given others, and have I used this grace well. It often sorrows me to think of invalids and those with physical/mental/financial defiencies who have not sinned against the Lord in all the ways I have. What sorrow is this that my soul rebels and has rebeled against the hand feeding it so plentifully?
(25-27)
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. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 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.
So, the message is somewhat hidden. I have not often contemplated the fact that scripture itself says it will be hard for the "wise and prudent" to find the truth of God and Jesus. Maybe sometimes, we meet God even as he hardened Pharoah's heart, when we talk to some people who think they are "so wise and prudent" that they know there is not a God. i have actually been texting a friend about this study of Mathew everyday, and he told me the other day that as "a rational and educated adult" it was difficult for him to believe the Bible. He does not believe right now. We always assume it is Satan, when sometimes it might be God catching the prideful in their arrogance....Also it seems to say that those Jews that reject Jesus, do not know God whatsoever. Some people hold that the whole Jewishline of decent is still chosen, but here it seems to suggest that only those that know Jesus can know God.
(28-30)
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Love makes yoke's easy and burden's light. O Lord, this world wears me out so much...yet, here I am, and I come to you with my burdens in prayer, and with eager expectaion, that you will once again, ease my burden; grant me your peace, and lead me on--so that forsaking all, I can trust in you, and you alone. Amen
God bless
tony
(3)
And said unto him, Art thou he that should come or do we look for another?
I have written in another study how, we as humans sometimes need to ask people if they are sent by God into our lives are have we trespassed into their lives, or they into ours...but this time, I want to write about how I see ironic I see John, in prison, when Jesus is preaching about freedom. Who wouldn't naturally ask, hey I'm in prison and I was suppose to preach about you freeing this world, what's going on? But also on another level, possibly his life is a parable about the law, we see in verse 13 it talks about the law and the prophets prophesying until John...so maybe him going into prison is kind of symbolic of how those under the law are in prison and not free? I wonder...
(7-8)
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? But what went ye out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in king's houses.
I am reminded of how so many pastors like wearing tuxedos, which I believe is silly. Many spiritually recognized the power that was in John, just as they recognized that which is in Jesus...not by a worldly dress, but by authenticy of their teachings. I really love people that have that deep sort of "gove everything for Christ" attitude.
(10,14)
For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send y messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee...And if ye shall receive it, this is Elias, which was to come.
Someone asked about the relation between Elijah (Elias) and John the baptist...well, here you have Jesus affirming that he was the "Elijah to come".
(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 am so puzzled by this verse. I know Jesus was greater than John the Baptist and Jesus was born of the Spirit and not of women...but what puzzles me about this verse is that it seems to be stating that all Christians are greater than John the Baptist? Or maybe, it is talking about his humility? Perhaps this is what it must be, John the Baptist was below everyone, serving them, so that they could se the Messiah and that is how he is the lowest?
(12-13)
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
Maybe talking about John the Baptist's persecution? I think this is more likely than the true message but not here suggested message that it is teaching us to take heaven boldly. The second verse I also wonder over. the second verse seems to explain the first verse somehow..."for"...John came to prepare the way?
(15)
He that has ears to hear, let him hear.
I wonder if I understand this passage...hmmm...
(16-19)
But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children, sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 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.
I once wrote about how this verse says they are like the children calling and not listening...because the Jews listened to themselves and to what they wanted to hear rather than what Jesus and John were teaching them in truth. But it does seem to be teaching straightforwardly that John preahced a sad message and they refused to straighten out; Jesus preached a joyous message and they refused to rejoice. But instead they sat back and judged based on their own ideas of what was right or wrong.
(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.
I still see that God grants certain people graces he does not give everyone. He straightly says that these two cities would have repented given the same grace to see miracles and wonders that Chorazin and Bethsaida saw...yet it was not granted them. So what graces has the Lord given me that he has not given others, and have I used this grace well. It often sorrows me to think of invalids and those with physical/mental/financial defiencies who have not sinned against the Lord in all the ways I have. What sorrow is this that my soul rebels and has rebeled against the hand feeding it so plentifully?
(25-27)
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. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 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.
So, the message is somewhat hidden. I have not often contemplated the fact that scripture itself says it will be hard for the "wise and prudent" to find the truth of God and Jesus. Maybe sometimes, we meet God even as he hardened Pharoah's heart, when we talk to some people who think they are "so wise and prudent" that they know there is not a God. i have actually been texting a friend about this study of Mathew everyday, and he told me the other day that as "a rational and educated adult" it was difficult for him to believe the Bible. He does not believe right now. We always assume it is Satan, when sometimes it might be God catching the prideful in their arrogance....Also it seems to say that those Jews that reject Jesus, do not know God whatsoever. Some people hold that the whole Jewishline of decent is still chosen, but here it seems to suggest that only those that know Jesus can know God.
(28-30)
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Love makes yoke's easy and burden's light. O Lord, this world wears me out so much...yet, here I am, and I come to you with my burdens in prayer, and with eager expectaion, that you will once again, ease my burden; grant me your peace, and lead me on--so that forsaking all, I can trust in you, and you alone. Amen
God bless
tony