The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 11 Part 3 Christ's Gospel Opens Hearts To New Life

John was a good man whose steps were ordered by the Lord to advance His kingdom.

Matthew 11:7-10  And 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? 8)  But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9)  But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10)  For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 

Jesus answered the question that John the Baptist's disciples asked.

Jesus pointed them to His preaching and miracles in order to strengthen their faith.

We shall see going forward that Jesus also encountered strong opposition because Jewish leaders wanted a military Messiah who would defeat Rome and re-establish Israel as an independent nation.

They did not want or expect a Messiah who was meek and lowly and who came to seek and save sinners from eternal condemnation. 

Many Jews did not understand that Messiah was going to suffer first before He returned in great power and glory to establish His kingdom.

We noted that God's prophets did not have a full understanding nor did the apostles see that God was going to do something new through the birth of Christ's church.

Yet, all these various things were foretold by the prophets but were misunderstood or misapplied by rabbis and teachers.

Then we noted how Jesus upheld the righteous character of John the Baptist who functioned as His forerunner.

John was not a reed shaken by the wind for his faith was firm and his trust in God's Word was unshakable.

John was not like kings and rich people.

He did not wear fancy clothing or enjoy a life of luxury.

John the Baptist lived very much like Elijah and other prophets of old, depending upon God for his needs and awaiting God's call to go speak to His people.

Jesus then declared that John the Baptist was more than a prophet because he embodied the spirit and power of Elijah. 

We noted that John's ministry as Christ's forerunner was foretold by Isaiah and Malachi.

Jesus testified of the greatness of John's ministry to the crowd of people.

Matthew 11:11  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. 

Jesus summarized John's position as that of being a great prophet of God.

The phrase "there hath not arisen a greater than John the Baptist" is yet another virtue Jesus ascribed to John.

Christ called John greater than any prophet from the beginning of the world till that time because he was prophesied by them in texts where God is speaking of the Baptist's ministry (See Isaiah 40:3, and Malachi 3:1).  

John's ministry was greater than the prophets of old because he had the privilege of showing how their prophecies were fulfilled by Christ.  

John's ministry was greater because he saw and enjoyed that salvation which they could only foretell and make diligent inquiries about since they did not understand it.

Of all that God had raised up and called to service , John is the most eminent, even beyond Moses himself. 

It was John who began to preach the glorious gospel truth about remission of sins to those who truly repent.

He was given wonderful revelations from heaven, for he saw heaven opened, and the Holy Ghost descend in the form of a dove. 

John heard the Father's voice declare that Jesus "is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased." 

John was blessed with success in his ministry as many Jews flocked to hear him and many responded with the fruits of repentance.

Gospel power was displayed when John preached about repentance and remission of sin.

Matthew 11:12  And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 

We need to look at a few words in this text in order to gain a right understanding of what Jesus said.

The word translated "suffereth violence" is a military term that means to use force to inflict violence.

The word translated "the violent" means those who are in eager, forceful pursuit of something. 

The words translated "take it by force" literally means to take away by force, with eagerness and anticipation.

The Greek word is the same word that refers to the rapture of Christ's church at the resurrection of life.

Let us examine a couple of passages where this same word is used so that we can get a right sense of what Jesus is saying.

Philip led the Ethiopian to salvation and was "caught away by God's Spirit to another place.

Acts 8:38-40  And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39)  And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. 40)  But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. 

We know that the Spirit of God directed Philip the evangelist to go and ask the Ethiopian eunuch what he was reading.

Philip explained the passage to the eunuch and he repented of sin and trusted Christ for salvation.

Immediately after Philip baptized the eunuch, he was "caught away" and transported by the Spirit of God to a new location miles away.

Christ will return one day and all believers alive will be "caught up" with the saints in heaven.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17)  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18)  Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 

When Jesus returns to the atmosphere of earth to take His bride, the church, home to heaven, we find the same word translated "caught up."

When Jesus said that "the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force" He speaks of the power of the gospel unto salvation to all who will believe (See Romans 1:16-17).

Thus, the picture is that large crowds attended John's preaching and were convicted of sins and pressed in on John to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins.

The gospel broke through the darkness of sin in their minds and they responded with a hearty, powerful will to receive the forgiveness that John preached.

Prophecies about Christ's forerunner were literally fulfilled in the life and ministry of John.

Matthew 11:13-15  For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14)  And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. 15)  He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.  

The phrase "All the prophets and the law prophesied until John" means that they were instructors concerning the Christ who was to come, until John came.

John's preaching showed that all prophetic predictions and types and ceremonies of the Old Testament were now to be fully and finally completed in Christ.  

The prophet Malachi predicted the coming of John the Baptist in the spirit and power of Elijah and he gave the three distinct characteristics of him. 

First, that he should be the forerunner and messenger of the Messiah (See Malachi 3:1).

Secondly, that Messiah's forerunner should appear before the destruction of the second temple which occurred in 70 A.D.

Thirdly, that Messiah's forerunner should preach repentance to the Jews; and that later the great and terrible day of the Lord should come, and the Jewish land be smitten with a curse (See Malachi 4:5-6).

All three aspects of John the Baptist's ministry were literally fulfilled.

Thus, Jesus warned "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." 

This is another way of saying you need to understand this truth and be born again into the kingdom of God.

Jesus faced a largely apathetic, hateful unbelieving generation like pastors of today.

Matthew 11:16-17  But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, 17)  And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. 

Jesus began to rebuke the generation of Jews who refused to hear and heed the gospel that John preached with the words "But whereunto shall I liken this generation?"

The men of that age were often stubborn and perverse Jews who were pleased with nothing.

They found fault with John's ministry and then with  Christ's ministry.

They critiqued whatever they heard, or saw done by Jesus.

There were many indeed that pressed into the kingdom of heaven but most continued in unbelief and obstinate sin. 

John was a great and good man, but the generation to whom he preached was as barren and unprofitable as could be, and unworthy of him. 

God uses a variety of means and methods for the conversion and salvation of sinners. 

God would have all men to be saved and He did everything necessary in order to bring us to Himself. 

God aims at melting of our wills into compliance with His will through the revelation of Himself in the scriptures.

In this parable, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of heaven is called His piping to us, and His mourning to us.

God has piped to us by gospel preaching and the joy for those who respond with repentant faith, yet most who heard the gospel did not dance with joy of the good news.

He has mourned over those who refuse the gospel and go their own way, dead in sins and trespasses. 

Most did not mourn and lament bitterly for their sins and the potential of eternal condemnation.

Unbelievers and haters of God condemned John for not eating or drinking like normal people did.

Matthew 11:18  For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.

John mourned over the lack of repentance among His own people, the Jews.

He abstained from certain foods and drank no wine and his raiment was coarse and humble.

Yet, most Jews did not receive John's call to repentance and some even claimed that the Baptist was demon possessed.

Unbelievers and haters of God condemned Jesus for eating and drinking like normal people did.

Matthew 11:19  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. 

In contrast, Jesus Christ came eating and drinking as the bridegroom with his bridal party, but they accused Jesus of being a glutton and drunkard.

They defamed Jesus' integrity by His association with the despised publicans and sinners. 

Pharisees and scribes were deeply prejudiced with hatred and animosity toward sinners in general and tax collectors in particular.

Thus, when they saw Jesus sit down with publicans to eat, they were incensed.

Luke 5:27-32  And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. 28)  And he left all, rose up, and followed him. 29)  And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. 30)  But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? 31)  And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 32)  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 

Jesus made His mission of salvation very clear to the hard hearted scribes and Pharisees.

Those who are sick with sin need a physician for their soul and thus Christ came to them.

He did not come to call the self righteous religionists to repentance because they already spurned the gospel and trusted their own works to merit salvation.

Therefore, Jesus came to call sinners to repentance preaching the same gospel John did. 

Wisdom is vindicated by her works, i.e. the good effects prove that the cause is excellent.

The children of true wisdom can justify all God’s ways in their salvation; as they know that all the dispensations of Providence work together for the good of those who love and fear God.

But wisdom is justified of her children. Christ is Wisdom for in Him are hid treasures of wisdom and the saints are the children God has given him, (See Hebrews 2:13). 

James 3:13-18  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14)  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15)  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16)  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17)  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18)  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. 

The gospel is pure and true wisdom from above. 

Those who are haters of God and remain in stubborn unbelief are mired in a devilish wisdom that create confusion, chaos and evil works.

The wisdom of God is in the power of the cross of Christ and the preaching of His gospel.

This heavenly wisdom transforms our life, and brings the gracious fruit of God's Spirit working in us and causes Christ's followers to be gentle, merciful, peaceful and productive Christians. 

What does this teach us about Christians following Christ while living in the midst of a corrupt and decaying culture?

First, there will be those who hate God and reject His Son and despise the gospel of Christ. 

Their lives will be marked by willful sinning, hardened hearts, hateful attitudes and sometimes violent behavior.

Second, there will be those who critique and verbally disparage all who seek to live for God's glory in this life, until He calls us home to heaven.

Third, there will be some who will hear the gospel and their hearts will be pricked to such a degree that they repent and turn to Christ with all their will and being.

Last, our duty is to live in accord with the gospel and to share the gospel of Christ in love, seeking to save the lost like Jesus did.

Let these words comfort us when we receive pushback for sharing the gospel with others.

Let these words strengthen our resolve to follow our Lord and be a testimony of light into the sin darkened world and with fresh salt that slows down the rate of cultural decay.

May the Lord guide each of us this day and may He show us those to whom we should share the gospel with.

Bob