Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: (Matthew 11:20)
As we studied in a previous lesson, God allowed Jesus to perform miracles for two main purposes: 1. to show that He is a loving and caring God, who feels our pain and is willing and able to help us; and 2. to prove beyond any doubt that Christ Jesus is the Only Begotten Son of God, and our eternal Savior. (see THE GOSPEL: From Death to Life, Through Faith) We would think, being eye witness to these miracles would cause the children of Isreal to believe in Christ and completely understand the Word of God, that had been given to them, since their calling as God's "special people". NOT! “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.” (Matthew 11:21-24; Luke 10:13-15) "He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.” (Luke 10:16)
Well, it goes to show that no matter what God does, people are going to either believe or not believe. And how embarrassing for the Jews that Jesus would say that if countries that did not have the Word of God, the "Gentile" countries, the "pagan" countries had witnessed His miracles, they would have repented long ago, they would have remained. Yet again, Jesus is reiterating there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last. Being a Jew did not and still does not guarantee any of us a place in heaven. Whether we go to church or not, get baptised or not, give tithes and offerings or not, help people in need or not, do etc. etc. etc. or not, if we do not repent, we will be brought down to Hades [Hell]; knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ,... (Galatians 2:16) Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:17) We should do the "works", but as an outward expression of the change that has taken place in us, that we have accepted Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord.
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. 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. (Matthew 11:25-27; Luke 10:21-22) Yet again, Jesus explains that knowing or being able to recite the Word of God does not mean we know God or have a relationship with Him. Only through our relationship with Christ Jesus is this possible, because No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. (John 1:18) As we will study in a future lesson, Jesus taught that Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” (Mark 10:15)
Most of us would think that children are not "wise" or "prudent", meaning exercising good judgement or common sense, showing care and thought for the future. But in actuality, as babes and little children we learn more by the age of five than we will learn the rest of our lives. (see article "Growth and Development") Why? Because children don't think they "know it all", they just want to learn. Children gain knowledge, and as we Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6) The wisdom, knowing how to make the right choices and decisions based on the knowledge and understanding we have, comes with age; Age should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom. (Job 32:7) But as Jesus explains above, sometimes the wisdom and prudence that comes with age also becomes distorted by the cares of this world; So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. (I Corinthians 1:20 NLT) Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. (I Corinthians 3:18 NLT) Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. (Proverbs 3:7-8)
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.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Just like babes and little children are totally dependant on their parents or caregivers for all of their needs, God wants us to be that way towards Him, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (I Peter 5:7) We all have a "load to bear", but Jesus tells us to bear "it" with His yoke. A yoke is a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull. Jesus is saying we will be yoked, or paired up with Him, and He will be right beside us, helping us bear all of our cares of this world. Not only will it seem that it's "easier" and "lighter" for us to deal with whatever life throws at us, but through the power of His Holy Spirit in us, we will have rest for our souls. Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.” (Luke 10:23-24) Blessed are all of us who have "eyes to see" and "ears to hear" the Truth, the Word of God, the Son of God, Christ Jesus!
No comments:
Post a Comment