Matthew 11

1-19 Jesus finish his instructions to his disciples and goes to teach and preach in the cities. John the Baptist was in prison and heard of the works of Jesus. At what point did John go to prison? In Matthew 4:12 Jesus heard that John the Baptist was in prison and departed to Galilee, also in Mark 1:14 it sounds like after the temptations of Jesus was John the Baptist put in prison. 

 

John being in prison heard the works of Jesus and sent two disciples to ask Jesus"Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? John told the people that Jesus is the Lamb of God that take the away the sin of world and Jesus is preferred before me John 1:29, 27. Satan was trying his best to discourage John. The two disciples saw all the works of Jesus and Jesus told them to go and tell John what you see and heard adding "Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me Luke 7:23 DA 218.2. This was enough for John and he recalled Isaiah 61:1-2. We have too learn to fully trust in God no matter what the situation. God never forsakes his people. Even though it looks like He has, he hasn’t because He has a greater cause in mind. 

 

After the disciples left to go to John. Jesus says, "What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?" The reed represents the rabbis, Pharisees, Sadducees, King Herod, princes, soldiers, publicans, and peasants. John had spoken equal plainness to them. He was not a trembling reed swayed by the winds of human praise or prejudice, whether in the open or in the prison DA 218.4

 

Jesus also ask what went ye out to see? A man clothed soft raiment? Behold they that wear soft clothing are in king’s houses. John had a plain dress and self denying life which were in harmony with the character of his mission. He also reproved the sins and excesses of his time. Rich apparel and the fashions of this world are not the portion of God’s servant. Jesus ask the same question and says, a prophet? Then he adds, more than a prophet, he is his messenger and quotes Malachi 3:1. Is a messenger more than a prophet? Jesus then shares that John was a great man, but He adds, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Jesus did not abandon John in prison, angels were with him opening to him the prophecies concerning Christ and the precious promises of Scripture. These were his stay and these are to be our stay today. God ever leads His children otherwise than they would chose to be led, if they could see the end from the beginning, and discern the glory of the purpose which they are fulfilling as co-workers with Him.

 

Jesus said since John started his ministry, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it force. As John prepares the way of the Lord, the people were so eager in establishing a earthly kingdom from under the Romans yoke and looking for the promise Messiah. At one point, they tried to make Jesus king John 6:15. In Luke’s 16:16 people were believing the message of John. Suffereth violence is giving all you have to enter the kingdom of heaven. Humbling ourselves, confessing our sins, and having faith in God, this is what Jacob expresses Genesis 32:26. Our minds need to be made up that we will whole heartedly give ourselves to Christ. We will intentionally "violently" enter into the kingdom of heaven. 

 

Christian life is more than many take it to be. It does not consist wholly in gentleness, patience, meekness, and kindliness. These graces are essential; but there is need also of courage, force, energy, and perseverance. The path that Christ marks out is a narrow, self-denying path. To enter that path and press on through difficulties and discouragements requires men who are more than weaklings. . MH 497-MH 497.1

 

John start this dispensation preparing a people to receive Christ of what the law and the prophets had prophesied. The law was given Moses John 1:17 and God used prophets to ensure its holdings GC 262.1. Jesus said He came not to destroy, but to fulfill. God is asking us through the law to surrender our hearts to Him, by saying "Thou shalt not…"

 

The law given upon Sinai was the enunciation of the principle of love, a revelation to earth of the law of heaven. It was ordained in the hand of a Mediator—spoken by Him through whose power the hearts of men could be brought into harmony with its principles. God had revealed the purpose of the law when He declared to Israel, "Ye shall be holy men unto Me." Exodus 22:31. { MB 46.2} 
But Israel had not perceived the spiritual nature of the law, and too often their professed obedience was but an observance of forms and ceremonies, rather than a surrender of the heart to the sovereignty of love. As Jesus in His character and work represented to men the holy, benevolent, and paternal attributes of God, and presented the worthlessness of mere ceremonial obedience, the Jewish leaders did not receive or understand His words. They thought that He dwelt too lightly upon the requirements of the law; and when He set before them the very truths that were the soul of their divinely appointed service, they, looking only at the external, accused Him of seeking to overthrow it. { MB 46.3}

 

The law has existed before the world was created. Or else how could Lucifer have sinned. Adam and Eve has broken God’s law by disobeying His command and the wages of sin is death Romans 6:23. Because of the love of God, He sent his Son to take our place and die the death that we were to die. So the law says we ought to die because we have sinned and the prophets have prophesied that Christ will come and die for our sins 1 Peter 1:10-12. This is why Jesus said "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John." Then John prepares the way for Jesus and led people to accept Him as the Messiah by saying "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29. What was prophesied here is, if you receive this, the kingdom of heaven will be in you and your life will be changed. The Lord send prophets for us to listen and walk in His law and example of this is found in Jeremiah 26:4-5; Daniel 9:10; Zechariah 7:12; Malachi 4:4-5

 

Then Jesus describes this generation to children, whether piped (Jesus) and have not danced (received Him) or mourned (John) and not lamented (received him) no matter which way they rejected both. And there were some who heard John received him and was baptized Luke 7:29 and these were publicans and people outside the church but those inside like the "Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves being not baptized of him." Luke 7:30 The lawyers were teachers of the law and the Pharisees were legalistic in the law of Moses. John preached the message directly and Jesus came to save sinners and associated with them and they always had an excuse not to receive either.

 

The words "But wisdom is justified by her children" In both John and Jesus, although the ministry were different, they were trying to accomplish the same goal and that is to receive gospel. Some people need John’s message and some need social and association to receive the gospel. In verse 25, Jesus says a prayer to the Father about things being revealed to babes and not to those who are wise and prudent. Referring to the scribes and Pharisees.

 

20-24 Jesus goes to different cities and was not pleased because they repented not. Most of his mighty works were done in the cities, but people are not repenting, so Jesus shares a few woes. The works which Jesus did was to lead to repentance. The cities Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum are mentioned as being unrepentant. If the works which Jesus did was in Tyre and Sidon, he mentions also Sodom, they would have repented, but these cities will receive judgment, but not as bad. Because the works that Jesus did was not done in those cities. The worst of the heathen who never had Christ preached to them shall fare better in the day of judgment than those that have had Christ preached to them. Why? Because those who heard the gospel and have not repented as compared to those who haven’t are without excuse. They cannot plead ignorance, they are impenitent. Tyre and Sidon was before Christ can into the world, although those cities were there when Christ did come into the world. But we are referring to the works that Christ would have done, if He was here during there time.  Jesus also says that Capernaum was a place exalted unto heaven, probably because He did many wonderful works there. Is Jesus saying those works could not be done in those cities? He saying we are judged according to what we know. 2 Peter 2:19-21 the condemnation is worst after knowing the knowledge of gospel than before. Because with the gospel comes the law.  Thus the gospel was preached in every sacrifice 1SM 230.4

 

25-27 It looks like Jesus says a prayer and thanked His Father for the things that are revealed are revealed to babes and not to the wise and prudent. These things most likely refers to the mission of John the Baptist verse 13-14, the works and the gospel of Christ verse 19-20. Because he also said in verses 13-15 those that have ears, let them hear. The Father has delivered all things into Jesus’ hand. Christ has created all things Col 1:16-17. He was before all things and He was willing to give up His life to redeem all things. Jesus also said no one knows the Father except him  and no one knows the Son except the Father and to who ever He reveals Him too. Christ wants to reveal the Father to everyone, but not everyone will accept. Jesus came to reveal the love of the Father and part of that love is giving.

 

Looking unto Jesus we see that it is the glory of our God to give. "I do nothing of Myself," said Christ; "the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father." "I seek not Mine own glory," but the glory of Him that sent Me. John 8:28; 6:57; 8:50; 7:18. In these words is set forth the great principle which is the law of life for the universe. All things Christ received from God, but He took to give. So in the heavenly courts, in His ministry for all created beings: through the beloved Son, the Father’s life flows out to all; through the Son it returns, in praise and joyous service, a tide of love, to the great Source of all. And thus through Christ the circuit of beneficence is complete, representing the character of the great Giver, the law of life. { DA 21.2} 

 

Jesus knows the Father and the Father knows Jesus. Our views and thoughts about God has changed because of sin. When Philip ask Jesus "shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us." In John 14:8, Jesus said "he that hath seen me hath seen the Father;" in verse 9. Knowing Jesus is giving us a clear picture of who God is in character. 

 

28-30 Jesus is asking us to come to Him if you are weary and overburden with spiritual anxiety and He will give us rest. How do we come to Jesus to receive rest? Isaiah 55:3; John 6:37, 44-45; Isaiah 28:10-12; 48:17-18 peace is rest Luke 10:6; Jeremiah 6:16. Why are we heavy laden? Psalm 38:4; Isaiah 1:4. Christ says "come" because He says in verse 27 "All things are delivered unto me of my Father" meaning Christ has everything we need to overcome and to get the rest we need. He will give us rest from sin (which is the heaviest burden) and a guilty conscience and show us the love of the Father has toward us. The Bible says, we should cast our burden to the Lord…Psalm 55:22. Rest is believing in Christ including the Sabbath and allowing Him into our hearts and cooperating with Him. For His yoke easy, He can bear the burden better than us. 

 

Our Saviour’s words, "Come unto Me, … and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28), are a prescription for the healing of physical, mental, and spiritual ills. Though men have brought suffering upon themselves by their own wrongdoing, He regards them with pity. In Him they may find help. He will do great things for those who trust in Him. MH 115.4