The Gospel According to Matthew Chapter 11

[뉴맨]

The Gospel According to Matthew Chapter 11

The Bible Text from https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.11.NIV

Conflict Building Up

Jesus and John the Baptist

1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. (Ministry of Jesus in Galilee is building up.)

2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (John the Baptist wants to make sure Jesus is Messiah, not because of his doubt but because he'd like to wrap up his ministry of introducing Jesus to many including his disciples.)

4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: (Actual happenings says more than a thousand words.)

5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. (This is what Messiah supposed to do; Saving people from sickness and hopelessness with the hope of Kingdom of God.)

6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” (Some believed Jesus and saved but many stumbled on Jesus, thinking He is an ordinary teacher, even blasphemous.)

7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind?

8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. (Many beautiful buildings and clothes- man made culture- are in big cities and palace but the prophet who shares the gospel of Kingdom of God was in wilderness- God-made nature- where no man made luxuries. John the Baptist was born in a family of priest but sent out to wilderness as of his mission preparation. Lk. 1:8)

9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. (People went out to wilderness to see a prophet; John the Baptist. Where are we going for what in these days?)

10 This is the one about whom it is written:

“ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way before you.’ (Completion of prophecy about John the Baptist. He was the forerunner of Jesus. Mal. 3:1)

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; (Wow! What a proclamation! I thought Moses might be acknowledged like this. We may think of him- John the Baptist- as a humble man, wasting his life on less important things- against Herod Antipas, (Mt. 14:1-12) but his mission as a forerunner of the Messiah was truly important.) yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (The average life in the Kingdom of God is greater than the best life on earth.)

12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. (Our effort to go in to the Kingdom is not easy but going through narrow gate and rough road. We fight the fight not because it is easy but because it is right. Some people risk even their own lives for this fight. Can/Will we do it?)

13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. (The Old Testament prophesies the Messiah. John was the last of Old Testament and Gate Opener for New Testament.)

14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. (Lk. 1:17, Mal. 4:5)

15 Whoever has ears, let them hear. (But the gospel challenges people, Accept it or Not.)

16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

17 “ ‘We played the pipe for you,

and you did not dance;

we sang a dirge,

and you did not mourn.’ (People were not sympathetic to the truth.)

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’

19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.” (People judge John and Jesus based on their tradition and limited knowledge.)

Woe on Unrepentant Towns

20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.

21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.

23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.

24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

The proclaimed Gospel doesn't leave hearers neutral but challenges; Believe it or Not. Hearing the Gospel is the given-moment to say yes or no. All people, all nations will have the chance to hear. When, Where and How belong to God. And the punishment for rejectors will be severe because that will be the big and wide door and road but to the destruction, suffering, and death. Punishment is self causing eventuality.

The Father Revealed in the Son

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. (Completion of God's Revelation.)

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Following Jesus is the Best Way of life since that is God's intention and creation.)

Jesus is the Revealer, while the Father God is the God who is origin and begins all things, and the Spirit God is Helper. Jesus reveals God, His Kingdom, His Salvation, Division of Eras, And He is the Completion of the Revelation.

More of Jesus at https://cafe.daum.net/k331/PeqF/27