Seeking Another Sign

After Jesus feeding the five thousand attracted a large following.  In another effort to discredit him the came asking of a sign as Matthew 16:1 describes.  “The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven.”   In essence, they were asking him to prove again that he was the Messiah, Just as Satan did when he tempted him.  Jesus didn’t fall for their request either. 

Instead, he pointed out that they did not need some miraculous signs to predict the weather, because certain natural events lead naturally to a certain result, as he pointed out in Matthew 16:2-3.  “He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.  And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?”  When the sun heats the ground and the air above it, the heated air rises, carrying moisture from the surface with it, and allowing cooler air to flow in and take its place.  As the hot air rises, it cools, and flows toward the place where the cooler air was originally.

Since the sun moves from east to West, surface winds tend to flow from west to east, while upper winds flow from east to west.  Red skies indicate light shining through very humid air.  As the air cools that humidity will condense and fall as rain.  Storm clouds tend to follow the upper level winds, so a red sky in the evening indicates the storm has already passed by, while a red sky in the east indicates rain clouds which are coming toward you.   Thus one can predict rain with a reasonable degree of accuracy near the ocean or other large bodies of water.  The farther one is from such bodies of water the less water is available, so it becomes less predictable.  Israel sits right on the Mediterranean coast and such predictions can be quite accurate. 

If the Jews could predict something as changeable as the weather by simply observing what was going on around them, why couldn’t they see the trends of much less volatile events and understand what was going on?  They had hundreds of prophecies describing what would be happening when the Lord came, and had seen many of those prophecies fulfilled. 

Jesus described their constant looking for more signs as being like an unfaithful wife who repeatedly threatens to leave her husband if he doesn’t prove his love by giving her what she wants, In Matthew 16:4.   “A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.”  He told them that there would be no special signs.  They would have to decide whether they wanted to be God’s people or not on the basis of the things he had already done for them.   

Like the unfaithful wife, as long as they were depending on another sign to keep them there, there was danger that someone else would come along with another offer and they would turn away from God.  Mark 13:21-23 warns, “…if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.  But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.”  People who are constantly looking for another sign that this is of God are susceptible to false teachings just as an unfaithful or uncommitted wife is susceptible to being seduced by someone other than her husband.  The refusal to commit is wicked.  

The Spirit, Not The Letter

Jesus had just condemned the scribes and Pharisees for substituting their own traditions and principles in place of God’s commands.  As he said, they made a big show of worshipping God, but it was meaningless, often encouraging people to ignore what God had said.  Their focus was on the wrong things.  He made the same point to the entire crowd, in Matthew 15:10.  “And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”  The focus of the law was on the attitude toward others, trying to protect them, rather than on the ritual of washing one’s hands.  Failing to wash one’s hands would not make one a wicked person.

Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?” (Matthew 15:12)

This was the opposite of what the Pharisees were teaching, and they resented being contradicted.  The disciples were concerned about what the Pharisees might do since they were viewed as the epitome of religious practice, and had a great deal of political pull, similar to the Pope and bishops among Catholics, the Prophet and Apostles to Mormons, or the Imams among Moslems.  They often begin to think of themselves as infallible.   

“But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.  Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” (Matthew 15:13-14)

Jesus reminded the disciples that God would separate out those who are not of God, and they should just let them alone, or as Paul says, avoid them.  I Timothy 1:5-7 points out that the Law was not simply about fulfilling certain rituals or keeping certain rules.  “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.”  The law was about developing a proper attitude of love and concern for others. 

Mt 15:15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.” (Matthew 15:15)  Peter asked Jesus what he meant when he said, “Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”  After all, that was what they had always been taught. 

“And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?  Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.” (Matthew 15:16-20)

Even the disciples were confused, because they had always been taught that serving God was about keeping the rules.   As Jesus pointed out, what person ate would not make him wicked, because it would simply be digested and any bad stuff eliminated.  The problems are with the heart attitudes and thought patterns that lead to evil behavior, such as murder, adultery, or theft.  Not washing one’s hands does not cause people to do these kinds of things.  They are the result of what a person thinks about. 

John 4:24 tells us, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”   Worshipping God is spiritual thing, and will not be accomplished by mechanically following a set of rules.  It requires a different attitude or spirit that is sincere about doing what is right.  Those who think they can please God by keeping a set of rules simply don’t understand who God is.    A godly person doesn’t do what is right because it is required, but because he wants to do right.  As a result, he only needs a set of guidelines as to what God expects, not a detailed list of what is allowed or forbidden.  

Man’s Ideas or God’s?

Most of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen, or did other physical work away from home, and were used to eating wherever they might be when they got hungry.  The Levitical Law specified washing one’s hands if he had come in contact with dead animals or sick people, to prevent the spread of disease.  Over the centuries, the Pharisees had greatly expanded the requirements, so that they were continually washing their hands, like germophobes today, constantly afraid of getting some disease.  The scribes and Pharisees were far more educated, working in stores, offices, or around the Temple, rarely getting dirty or being unable to wash their hands, so the restrictions didn’t cause them as much difficulty as it did those who worked at more physical jobs. 

Matthew 15:1-2 tells us they became upset when Jesus’ disciples did not use hand sanitizer before they ate as their traditions specified.  “Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Mt 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.”   The Old Testament Law said nothing about washing or sterilizing their hands before eating, but the Pharisees held tradition as being equal or even superceding the Law. 

They were like some today, insisting they have an even higher standard than God set.  In Matthew 15:3-6, Jesus pointed out that their standard was not really higher than what God demanded.  “But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?  For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.  But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.” 

Their traditions allowed and even encouraged people to do things God had forbidden.  For example, God had said a person was to show respect for the parents, even specifying that person who disrespected or abused his parents was to be executed.  Like modern America, their tradition had become that parents did not have the right to make their children help around the house or help with the family business unless they chose to.  They did not have to obey their parents, in other words.  It was exactly the opposite of what God had commanded.

As Matthew 15:7-9 tells us, they were very hypocritical in the way the interpreted and practiced the Law.  “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”   Nearly seven hundred years before, Isaiah had prophesied saying the Jews made a big show of wanting to serve God, while making no effort to obey his word.   Instead of teaching God’s commands they were teaching human opinions, standards, and principles as if they were God’s commands.  Isaiah said their worship was meaningless as a result. 

Today we frequently see the same Pharisaical attitude in religious groups.  They may teach church traditions and customs, or implement a whole bunch of new programs, teachings, and standards, but they ignore what God has clearly commanded.   As a result, Christians think nothing of doing things God has expressly forbidden, while insisting on things the Bible says nothing about.  

Building On What We Already Know

In Matthew 13, Jesus used a number of parables to teach various aspects of being a Christian.  He finished off the series with two more illustrations.  The teachings are all interrelated with each parable giving a little more detail.  The parable in Matthew 13:47-50 reinforces the parable of the angels separating between the children of God and those of the world. 

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.  So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” 

A net catches everything that is too big to go through the holes, whether a cod, or a barracuda, or an old rubber boot.  When one pulls the net out, he has to separate the good stuff from the worthless, just as the farmer would have to separate the wheat from the tares.  For professional fishermen such as Peter, James, or John, this parable would be even more meaningful than the one about the tares and the wheat.  As Christ explains again, at the judgement, God is going to separate those who have believed in Christ from those who have not.

Revelation 20:11-15 describes that final judgment.  “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.   And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” 

Who will have his name written in the Book of Life?  Revelation 2:17 describes it.  “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”   Those who overcome the world will be given a new name, perhaps something similar to a PIN number or password that is written in stone so it cannot be changed and only they will know it.   Without that name one will be unable to escape eternal damnation.  I John 5:4-5 explains what is required to overcome the world and get that new name.  “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”  Faith in Christ enables us to obtain that new name.  John 14:6 tells us there is no other way.  “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” 

 Jesus used multiple examples of the same thing because he wanted to be sure they understood what he was teaching.   Matthew 13:51-52 tells us, “Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things?

They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.”

Understanding what it means to be a child of God is kind of like staying in someone’s home.  The longer you stay, the more you learn about what they have.  You see the same things over and over, but there are constantly new things you hadn’t seen as well.   As a Christian there is always a place to grow and learn.  Those who think they have it all down are like the child in school who doesn’t pay attention because he thinks he already knows it all.  They cease to grow and become stagnant, and spiritually unhealthy.  New things can only be learned as they are related to what one already knows.  It may not be exciting, but it is critical that we review what we already know if we are to fully understand something new.

“And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.” (Matthew 13:53)

Counting the Cost

After sending the multitude away, Jesus explained the parable of the tares in the wheat.  He then went on to use additional parables to help them understand more about the kingdom of heaven.  The first two, in Matthew 13:44-46 illustrate the value of being a child of God.  “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” 

Both men valued what they found so much they were willing to give up everything they had to obtain the treasure.  Had they not done so, they would not have obtained it.  It was not some impulsive decision, but required a deliberate effort to sell off what they had in order to obtain what they wanted.  It is the same point Jesus made in Luke 14:26-33.  “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?  Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?  Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.  So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”

The Greek word translated disciple, used here means a pupil or follower.  The verb form of the word means to cause to become a pupil or disciple, and is translated teach in Matthew 28:19.  “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”  The word translated teaching in the next verse is a different word and just means to teach.  Literally, Jesus said unless a person is willing to commit themselves fully to Christ they cannot be saved.  They need to give it serious thought before they make a profession of faith.  Matthew 7:21 warns,  “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”    Without a commitment to follow Christ they cannot be saved, and such a commitment requires counting what it will cost.  Far too often, people make a profession without counting the cost, and when persecution or problems arise they turn away, exactly as Jesus described the seed which fell on stony ground, because it had no root in itself.    

I realize that this directly contradicts many popular teachings today, so I recommend you do further study to see whether it is what the Bible teaches or not.  Remember that Jesus, and all the writers of the New Testament warned about false teachers.  Please take the time to find out what the scriptures actually teach for your own good.   

Growth Of The Kingdom

Before sending the crowd away, Jesus would use two parables about the kingdom of heaven.  When we look up the Greek words, we find that the term kingdom of heaven means literally the royalty of the sky, or where God lives.  This is interesting because I Peter 2:9-10 tells us, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”  The royalty of any country are families of the king, and John 1:12-13 tells us, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”  Clearly, the kingdom of heaven is talking about those who have received Christ, the body of believers, also known as the church.  Jesus is laying a foundation for the church in his teaching. 

The first of these parables is found in Matthew 13:31-32.  “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.”  Like a tiny seed, when the gospel is planted, it will naturally grow, spreading over a large area and benefit everyone around, even those who are not Christians themselves. 

The second parable, in Matthew 13:33 is almost the same.  “Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.”  Like the seed, the leaven will begin to grow as soon as it is introduced to the dough, eventually spreading throughout the entire mass, regardless how small the initial amount was,  This growth will continue until the bread is baked, killing the leaven.  In both parables, it isd apparent that if the gospel is present, it will have an effect on the world around them. 

In Acts 1:8 Jesus said, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”  When a person receives the Holy Spirit, he automatically becomes a witness for Christ, in everything he does because of the Holy Spirit’s working in him.  It is as natural as the seed sprouting or the yeast spreading through the dough, and the growth or spreading can only be prevented by killing the seed or leaven, or by taking away the Holy Spirit.  Notice that Acts 1:8 did not say we should be witnesses, but that we shall or are going to be.   When we constantly have to motivate the people to witness,  it clearly indicates they are working in the power of the flesh, rather than in the power of the Spirit, and as John 6:63 tells us, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing…”

Matthew 13:24-35 reiterates why Jesus used so many parables in his teaching.  “All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.”  Jesus was teaching things that had never been known to most of mankind, things that were known only to those who believed God.  He was fulfilling the promise in Psalm 78:1-4.  “Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.  I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.  We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.”  Only those who believed would take the time to understand.  

Separating the Godly and the Ungodly

Following the same general vein, Jesus used another parable about planting seed, in Matthew 13:24-30.  “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.  So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

He said unto them, An enemy hath done this.

 The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.  Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”

As Jesus had explained, the parables were intended to teach about things they didn’t understand using things they knew about to explain them. Those who were interested would try to learn exactly what he was saying while those who didn’t care would be entertained with the story and not interfere.  A little later, when the others left, the disciples asked Jesus to explain the parable, in Matthew 13:36.  “Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.”

Jesus had warned them that not everyone who claimed to be a Christian really was, and that there would be many false teachers who sought to mislead people by posing as teachers and prophets who were from God.  In Matthew 13:37-39, he explains that that is the basis for this parable.  “He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.”

God has given his word, using people who are those who have truly been saved and serve God.  Satan has deliberately injected false Christians to mislead and mess up God’s crop, by planting inedible plants among God’s people in the world in hopes of making them all unacceptable to God.  Just as the owner told his workers not to try to root out the tares because of the danger of uprooting the wheat, Christians are not to try to destroy the false teachers and religions.  If left alone, eventually it will become obvious what they really are, and at the time of Christ’s return they will be judged.  God will send his angels to separate his children from those who are only pretending to be.  Paul instructs us to be aware of false teachings and avoid them, but not to attack the teachers, in II Thessalonians 3:14-15.  And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.  Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”  If we attack them we may well drive away others by our judgmental attitude.  If we just overlook their false teachings we encourage others to think it is okay.    God is far better equipped to separate the saints and sinners than we are. 

Matthew 13:40-43 explains the separation in greater detail.  “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.  The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.  Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Those who are not God’s children will be separated out by God’s angels when Christ returns and cast into the lake of fire.  Those who believe in him will enter into God’s eternal kingdom and God will wipe away all their tears.  This is the picture painted in Revelation 14:14-19.  “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.  And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.  And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.  And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.  And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.”

The Parable of the Sower

One of the parables Jesus use was the story of the sower and the seed in Matthew 13:3-9.  “And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.  And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.  Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” 

As Jesus explained to his disciples, even those who were opposed to what he was teaching could enjoy listening to the stories, but because they didn’t care about what the stories meant, they would not waste his time arguing with him.  Those who were actually interested in what he was teaching would think about what he meant, and ask questions when they didn’t understand.  Later, he explained the meaning of the parable to those who followed him.   

“Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.” (Matthew 13:18-19)

Because they are completely unprepared, many people hear the gospel, but they do not understand why it matters to them, and as a result it makes no impression.  Before long they are distracted by other things and forget about what they heard.  These are those by the wayside, where there has been no effort to set a Christian example or teach God’s word.  It’s like throwing garden seed out on hard dry ground without plowing it.  The birds will probably eat the seed before it gets a chance to grow. 

“But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.” (Matthew 13:20-21)

The seed falling among stony places is the person who has a partial understanding of the promises and is excited by the promises.  He is eager to avoid going to hell, to overcome alcohol or drug addiction, to get out of prison, or to date a pretty girl, and eagerly makes a profession of faith.  For a while they may seem really excited about being a Christian and be very active in the church, but they turn away when problems arise, because they have not received the Holy Spirit, and have nothing to hold them.  They were not fully prepared to make a commitment to Christ before making a profession, and are not truly saved, as Romans 8:9 tells us.   “…Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” 

“He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.” (Matthew 13:22)

The seed falling among thorns represents the person who has been taught enough to fully understand what believing in Christ means and makes a sincere commitment to Christ.  Unfortunately, because he has not been taught how to live by faith, walking in the Spirit, he gets tangled up in making a living and does not live for Christ, even though he never turns completely away.  They are like a garden which has never been much of an effort to control the weeds, and they take away all the nutrients the crops need. 

“But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (Matthew 13:28)

When the gospel has been carefully presented, making sure people thoroughly understand why they need to be saved and What Christ has done, people will make sincere commitments to Christ, and if they are them taught how to live for Christ, they will produce fruit, causing others to turn to Christ, even though not all will produce the same amount.  This Parable illustrates the importance of fulfilling all the great commission of Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” 

It is not enough to stand on the street corner preaching the gospel. We need to make sure they actually understand that God loved them and made a way for them to be saved.  They need to understand that it is only possible because Jesus Christ paid the price for their sins, and that the Holy Spirit makes the necessary changes in their heart attitude.   Until that happens, baptism is meaningless.  Once their salvation is assured, we must teach them how to please God in their daily life, so that they can be fruitful for him.  

Teaching In Parables

“The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.  And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.  And he spake many things unto them in parables…” (Matthew 13:1-3)

A parable is a short story or description of a common object or occurrence used to explain something unfamiliar by comparing similarities between the two.  Jesus used a lot of parables in his teaching, especially in teaching the large crowds. 

“And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.  And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” (Matthew 13:10-15)

Many times, even the disciples were not sure what Jesus was talking about in the parables until he explained it to them.  They questioned why Jesus didn’t just explain things more clearly instead of speaking in parables.  As Jesus explained, many of the people didn’t really weren’t interested in learning what God wanted. 

There are some basic principles involved if one is to teach effectively.  One of them is that you need students who are willing to learn.  It is almost impossible to teach those who think they know everything they need to know or who don’t want to know.  Students who don’t want to learn frequently disrupt classes, misbehaving, or arguing with the teachers.   They often hinder even motivated students learning as much as they can.   A second principle of teaching is that all learning has to be built on what one has learned previously.  For example, it is impossible to learn to add until one learns to count.  One cannot learn to read until he learns to combine the sounds represented by the various letters to form a word.   Several programs for teaching math or reading have failed because they forgot this basic principle.    

The scribes and Pharisees were sure they knew everything about God and were not interested in learning.   By teaching in parables, Jesus could hold their attention.  The stories would entertain and distract them so that they did not interfere with those who wanted to learn by trying to argue with Jesus.  At the same time, he could use things those who wanted to learn were familiar with to demonstrate godly principles, which he could explain more fully when the scribes and Pharisees were not present. 

The disciples and others who were interested would think about the meaning of the stories and learn from them, staying to learn more after the others left, enabling them to get the most from his other teaching.  As a result they would learn things that even the prophets the Pharisees revered had not understood, according to Matthew 13:16-17.  “But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.” 

The desire to know what God wants is crucial if we are to understand his word.  When we do, we will make an effort to read and study what the scriptures say, rather than simply clinging to what we have always thought.  People who don’t care won’t make the effort, and may not listen even when the meaning is clear.  

A New Spirit Is Needed

Jesus had pointed out that the heart attitude was the determining factor in whether a person was good or evil, because it governed what the person said and did naturally.  These are the things people will be judged on, not the things they do when they are making a special effort to be good or put on good show.

Matthew 12:38 tells us the Scribes and Pharisees decided to change the subject.  “Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.”   Jesus had just cast out a demon and healed a man who was deaf and dumb, demonstrating his power, and then shown that it was illogical to believe the power came from anywhere but God.  They insisted they wanted more evidence. 

“But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.  The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.” (Matthew 12:39-42)

Jesus described people who are constantly looking for signs as evil and adulterous, like a wife who is constantly threatening to leave her husband if he doesn’t prove his love again by giving her what she wants.  They refuse to commit themselves, and will not hesitate to follow someone or something that seems more attractive.   As Jesus pointed out, the people of Nineveh believed Jonah and committed themselves to God just on Jonah’s statement.   The Queen of Sheba believed in God just because she had seen how he had blessed Solomon.  The Jews had records of God’s love and power for nearly two thousand years, including hundreds of miracles in their own day, yet they refused to make a commitment to him, constantly looking for more proof.  Their lack of commitment will be highlighted by the faith of the Queen of Sheba and the people of Nineveh.    

The problem was that the Jews were focused on their own abilities, beliefs, and desires, rather than simply trusting God. In Matthew 12:43-45, Jesus made it very clear that changes in behavior as a result of human effort are little value.  “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.  Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.  Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.”  

Drug and alcohol programs, anger management classes, behavior modification, counselling, and moral or religious training can change a person’s outward behavior, making it more socially acceptable, but it does not completely replace the old wicked heart attitude.  Because they have gained a victory over drugs or other problems they may well become arrogant and proud, thinking themselves smarter or better than others.  They become greedy, dominating and abusive to get their own way, and refuse to consider any other view but their own, and will not admit they are ever wrong.  The more effective the programs are, the less likely the person is to realize he is a sinner and turn to Christ. 

When God changes a person, he does not simply refurbish him, but makes him a new person, giving him a completely new spirit or attitude, as we see in II Corinthians 5:17-18.  “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;”  The focus becomes on God rather than ourselves, and we are more interested in working things out with others or doing what is right than in getting our way. 

Sadly, far too often, like the Jews, Christians are far more concerned with changing the outward behavior or impressing others than with letting God change the heart attitude.  

The Heart Attitude

The Pharisees had accused Jesus of casting out devils by Satanic power.  Jesus had pointed out that the accusation made no sense, but n Matthew 12:31-33, he warns that if he is truly from God, then their accusations are themselves sin.  “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.  And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.  Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.” 

God is willing to forgive being falsely accused of doing things that are wrong, and he will forgive those who falsely accuse Jesus of doing something wrong, but he will never forgive those who impugn his essential nature, implying he is essentially evil, like the man who said “either he is not God or he is not good.” James 1: 13 tells us, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.”  God does not even consider doing evil, and he will never forgive those who accuse him of being evil.   Either a being is essentially good, or he is essentially evil, and it is easy to see which by watching what he does.  If he is evil, sooner or later it will show up.

     

“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.  A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” (Matthew 12:34-35)

A person’s heart attitude determines what he says and does.  People with a wicked attitude naturally say and do wicked things because that is their nature.  People with a good attitude naturally say and do good things because that is the kind of things they think about in their heart.  The first place where the attitude shows up is in what people say.  Thus, what people say is an important indicator of what they are really like.  Matthew 12:36-37 warns, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”  The thing we say in unguarded moments are the clearest indicator of how we really think, and those are the things that will be used to judge us when we stand before God. 

Unfortunately, most people blow off the things they said on the spur of the moment as being unintentional.  While we may accidentally say something we don’t really mean or think, if it is repeated several times, it is pretty clear that is how we really feel and it is a much harder to forgive.  

Is It From God or Satan?

The Pharisees were focused on finding something that would discredit Jesus and destroy his reputation, accusing him of violating the Law and having no respect for God’s commands.  Each time he had shown that their claims were false, but they continued to look for something that could be construed as evil.  

“Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.  And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?” (Matthew 12:22-23)

Jesus had healed a number of people of what were considered incurable diseases already, and when he healed a man who was demon possessed as well as being unable to hear or speak,   The people knew his parents, that they were both descendants of David, and they knew that the Messiah would come from David’s family.   That Jesus was able to heal a man with so many problems convinced the people he had to be the Christ. 

“But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.” (Matthew 12:24)

It didn’t matter what Jesus did, the Jews would try to spin it as something evil.  They accused Jesus of casting out demons through satanic power.  It made as little sense as Al Gore’s claim that the growth of the polar ice packs at both the north and south poles and snow as far south as Tallahassee, Florida and the Sahara desert are the result of human caused global warming.   It was totally illogical, contradicting known facts, and Jesus pointed this out. 

“And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?  And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.” (Matthew 12:25-27)

As Jesus pointed out, if Satan was casting out demons, there was in effect a civil war in among his followers that would eventually destroy his power.  It would be a stupid action on Satan’s part.  In addition, there were certain Jews who performed exorcisms who were highly respect Jewish leaders, claiming they were empowered by God.  If Jesus did the same thing under Satan’s power, how were they to know whether the other exorcisms were from God or from Satan.     They needed to check it out rather than simply jumping to conclusions. 

This is a very important point.  When we see people  raising their hands and swaying back and forth the same way at a rock concert as they do in a worship service, for example, we need to question whether it is the Holy Spirit or some other spirit causing the behavior.  People in many different religions around the world, including the Church of Satan speak in tongues and prophesy much like those in many modern churches.   Since some of those groups are definitely not of God we need to check each incident carefully to see if it is from God.   Satan can cause or fake every sign, and in Mark 13:22, Jesus warned, “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.”  Signs and wonders do not prove a thing is from God, but only that there is something that needs to be checked out.

Matthew 12:28-30 continues, “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.   Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.  He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.”  If Christ were casting out demons by Satan’s power, then it only reinforces demonic power, but if he was doing it by God’s power, then they were seeing God’s power and kingdom revealed because it would not be possible for a weaker being to force Satan’s demons out.  People need to check whether they are following Christ or chasing after Satanic teachings.  I Timothy 4:1 warns, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”   If we don’t make sure what the source of those signs and teaching is, we may well be led away from the truth.   Remember, I John 4:1 commands, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." 

The Meek Messiah

The Pharisees were looking for something they could use to discredit Jesus.  When he showed that their accusations of violating the Sabbath had no merit, they got together to see if they couldn’t find something else to accuse him of, as Matthew 12:14 tells us.  “Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.”  They were determined to destroy him no matter what it took. 

In Matthew 10:14, Jesus had commanded his disciples, “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.”  He took his own advice, in Matthew 12:15-18.  “But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; And charged them that they should not make him known: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the Gentiles.”   Rather than arguing with them, Jesus left town.  He warned the crowd that followed him not to antagonize the Pharisees by spreading the word that he was the Messiah, even though he healed all of them who were sick. 

In doing so he fulfilled Isaiah’s statement that he would have the same spirit or attitude as God.  Although God is sovereign, and could force everyone to do as he wants, he has chosen to allow mankind to make their own choices.   As II Corinthians 3:17 tells us, “…where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”  Jesus would not even try to make them go along with him, as Matthew 12:19-21 explains.  “He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.  A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.  And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.”  Until the time of judgment, mankind is to be allowed that freedom.  Jesus will not attempt to coerce them into following him, but one day, they will be judged for their decision.  He is meek, but not weak.  He just allows us to decide what we want.

The Gentiles, those who had the least knowledge of God would in many cases be the ones most willing to follow him, while the Jews, who had known more about God than anyone would be the least likely.  In Romans 9:30-10:2, Paul says, “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.  But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.   Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.  For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” 

While the Gentiles recognized they didn’t know how to get to heaven and simply trusted God to forgive them, the Jews were convince they could get there by just keeping God’s law.  They failed tu understand that the law was only to make them understand that they were not good enough, as Paul explained in Romans 3:19-20.  “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” 

Unfortunately, the same thing often happens today, with those who hold the strictest standards thinking they are already good enough since they do all the “right” things.  They resent any implication that they are not good enough.    

The Spirit, Not The Letter

Later the same day the Jews complained about Jesus’ disciples picking the grain to eat on the Sabbath, Jesus went into the local synagogue of Jewish church, according to Matthew 12:9-10.  “And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.” 

The leaders were looking for a way to discredit Jesus, and they knew he healed many people, including some on the Sabbath.  There was a man there who had an injured hand that was atrophied from lack of use.  When Jesus saw the man the Synagogue leaders essentially dared him to heal the man since the Law forbid doing any work on the Sabbath.   If he did not heal the person they could imply he didn’t really care, but if he did, they could accuse him of breaking the Sabbath and ignoring the law. 

“And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?  How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.” (Matthew 12:11-12)

Instead of arguing with them, Jesus pointed out that they would be very upset if one of the sheep fell onto a pit on the Sabbath they would consider it wrong to leave it suffering until the following day.  In fact, Deuteronomy 22:1-4 commanded, “Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother.  And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again.  In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself.  Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.”

 They were forbidden to ignore straying cattle or those who were in pain or danger.  As a result, they would rescue the animals with no concern whether it was the Sabbath day or not.  A human being is far more important than a sheep, and it would be even worse to refuse to help him on the Sabbath.  The Law was about showing love toward God and to others, and there are times when following the Law to the letter defeats that purpose.  When we insist on following our standards to the letter, we overlook God’s mercy and love as Jesus told the Pharisees in Matthew 12:7.  “But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.”    Our insistence on following our standards becomes sin in such a case.  Romans 7:6 reminds us, “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.”  God is more concerned with the attitude or spirit that prompted the action than he is in the action itself. 

The Pharisees were left with nothing to use against Jesus, because clearly the both the Law and their customs supported his claims.  Jesus then turned and told the man to stretch out his arm, in Matthew 12:13-14.  “Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.  Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.”  There was no special actions or ritual, the man just straightened out his arm and the muscles grew back just like the other arm.  Though they could not challenge Jesus’ position, like the Anti-Trump forces today, the Pharisees refused to admit he was right.  They got together and discussed how they could find something to accuse him of and destroy his credibility.   They were more concerned with keeping their prestige than with pleasing God.  

Let God Set The Standards

“At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.  But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.” (Matthew 12:1-2)

Jesus had just told his disciples that unlike the demands the religious leaders set on the people, His demands were much easier to meet and maintain.  Shortly thereafter, on a Sabbath day, Jesus and his disciples were passing through a field on their way to where Jesus was planning to speak.  Having not eaten, they were hungry and began to pick some of the heads of wheat and after rubbing off the husks between their fingers, began to eat.  By law, when a person walked through a field, he was permitted to pick the fruit or grain and eat it, but was not allowed to carry any away with him. 

Under the Old Testament Law, the Jews were not allowed to do any regular work, not even so much as building a cooking fire or preparing food on the Sabbath.  Any food that was eaten was to be eaten just as it was.  Though the disciples were simply eating the grain as they found it, the Pharisees viewed it as harvesting the grain, which would violate the law and accused the disciples of violating the Law.  It was, at best a questionable position since they were only picking it to eat on the spot. 

“But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the showbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?  Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?  But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.  But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.  For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.” (Matthew 12:3-8)

Jesus reminded them how, when fleeing from Saul, David and his men ate the Shew bread, even only the priests were allowed to eat it, and was never rebuked.  He also reminded them that every Sabbath, the priests butchered the various sacrifices and built a fire to burn them to fulfill the Requirements of worshipping at the Temple, even though the people were not allowed to build a fire or butcher an animal.  While the Temple was made for the purpose of worshipping God, he makes the rules, and can suspend them when he sees a need. 

There was some question whether the disciples were doing anything wrong at all, and even if they were, it was not intentional.  By condemning them for eating the grain, the Pharisees displayed their lack of understanding of God’s merciful nature and love.  God overlooks many unintentional sins because he really doesn’t get pleasure out of the sacrifices.  He would rather people were trying to do what is right, and sacrifices are for when they have not.    

Romans 14:1-3 commands, “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.  For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.  Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.  Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.”  We are not condemn people for doing things God has not specifically forbidden.   Many times the problem is not with the act itself, but the reason behind it, and since we may not know the motivation, we cannot make valid judgements.  Only God is qualified to make such judgments, and we should leave that responsibility to him.

We should be more concerned with helping others grow closer to God than with their doing what we think is right, as Romans 15:1-2 tells us.  “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.”  When we begin to impose our personal standards on others, we are usurping God’s authority.  As Romans 14:15 makes clear, if we turn others away by our personal standards, we are not showing the love of God.  “But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.”   God is not going to judge people by the standards we set, but by the ones he set.  

Christ’s Burden Is Light

“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.” (Matthew 11:25-26)

The religious Jews were very sure they were more godly than other people. but they paid little attention to the signs and wonders God did among them to show that Jesus was the Messiah.  As Jesus said in the previous verses, even people who had no knowledge of God would have recognized his actions and changed their behavior.  Jesus simply stopped to thank God that ordinary people that the highly educated and wealthy considered as ignorant and gullible would listen and learn when those who considered themselves so much wiser and better, the elite, considered his teachings simplistic and impractical. 

Like the political elite of today, the Jewish elite had never struggled to pay their bills or find a job, and thus assumed they were smarter than those who had experience with such things.  They demanded people live by the standards they set while exempting themselves from following them, as Matthew 23:4 describes.  “For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” They had no idea what God actually wanted. 

Jesus had received his teaching directly from God, as we see in Matthew 11:27.  “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.”  Only those who God caused to recognize Jesus would recognize him as the Messiah, and only those who listened to Jesus would learn what was needed to please God. 

Many of the Jews worked very hard to keep the Law in order to gain a place in heaven.  Unfortunately, all the efforts to keep the Law would never get anyone into heaven, as Romans 3:20 tells us.  “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”   Hebrews 10:1 states that like a shadow resembles the object casting it, the Law only resembled God’s requirements.  “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.”  As a result, it could never produce a truly godly life. 

Fortunately, Romans 10:4 tells us, “…Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”  The Law no longer applies to those who believe, although it still applies to those who do not.  Believers no longer have to worry about keeping all those laws in order to be saved because “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree,” according to Galatians 3:13.  As a result, in Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus was able to say, “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.” 

As Christians, we don’t have to work to earn our salvation because as Romans 6:23 tells us, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  We have been given eternal life as a gift.  Please note that it says eternal life, life that never ends.  We do not have to work to keep that life, because I Peter 1:5 says we “…are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”     

Before we believed we were slaves to sin, making it impossible to please God.  When Christ freed us from the Law he freed us from the power of sin, as Romans 6:14 tells us.   “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”   We can get victory over our sin by simply letting the Holy Spirit have control, as Galatians 5:16 tells us.  “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”  We no longer have to work nearly so hard to please God because Ephesians 1:6 tells us, “…he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” 

We often hear how hard it is to serve the Lord and are encouraged to work harder.  Jesus said his burden was light and his yoke was easy.  If we are finding it that hard to serve the Lord, we are carrying the wrong burden or serving the wrong master.  We don’t have to carry all the burdens the religious elite lay on us.  

Don’t Be Childish

After Jesus sent out his disciples, some of John the Baptist’s disciples came, asking Jesus if he was truly the Messiah.  After pointing out the various signs that were done, he talked a little about why they followed John.  In Matthew 11:14-15 He describes the relationship between John and himself.  “And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.  He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”  John was just fulfilling the promise that before Messiah came, one like Elijah would come and prepare people to listen to him. 

Unfortunately, many of the most religious people did not receive John as the prophet God had sent and were not listening to what he said.  Jesus described them a being like a bunch of little children playing in the streets, in Matthew 11:16-19.  “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. “ 

While the Jews were quite strict about what they ate, John only ate locusts and wild honey, so turned down their invitations to eat with them, although not demanding that others follow his practices.  The Jewish leaders accused him of being demonically possessed because he was so strict and unsociable.  When Jesus accepted invitations to eat with various people, including the religious leaders, they accused him of only being interested in food and wine, especially since he did not limit himself to religious elite.  That they were hypocritical in their attitudes never occurred to them.  Unfortunately we can nearly always justify what we are doing on the grounds that our standards are better than other people’s.

 Jesus had spent most of his time preaching is few villages around the Sea of Galilee.  While the people had witnessed the miracles, bringing many to him for healing, most of the people had not felt any need to trust him or follow his teachings, convinced they were already good enough.   Jesus scolded those cities for their attitude in Matthew 11:20-23.  “Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 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. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.  But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.” 

Ezekiel 26 prophesied of the destruction of Tyre and Sidon because of their wickedness.   The original city of Tyre was on an island just off shore, but later a suburb of the city was located on land.  When Alexander the great destroyed it in 332 BC, He burnt the entire city, throwing the constructions materials into the ocean and even digging up part of the island.  Later another city, known as Tyre was built nearby, but it is not on the original site, and all that is left of the island are some reefs, making the original harbor unusable.  The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah for their excessive wickedness is described in Genesis 19.  Jesus said that if he had done the miracles in Tyre and Sidon or in Sodom or Gomorrah, they would have recognized that the power came from God and repented of what they were doing.  In their self-righteous attitudes, Bethsaida, Chorazin, and Capernaum considered themselves as deserving those miracles and made no effort to change their lifestyles, not believing they had done anything wrong. 

When we see miracles and blessings from God, Christians need to understand it is not the result of their goodness, as Titus 3:5-7 tells us.  “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”  We were saved because he loved us so much he was willing to forgive us even though we were wicked.  Rather than making us complacent or proud, the miracles and blessings ought to make us realize how much God loves us and result in a desire to draw closer to him.  Too often like the Jewish leaders, we define ourselves as the proper standard, condemning others for not being like we are, with no awareness of how sinful we are.  Miracles or blessings are considered proof of our goodness.   It is the same attitude described in Romans 2: 3-4.   “And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”   

Putting Christ First

When Jesus came, the Jews expected him to come in as the mighty king, overthrow the Romans, and make Israel the most powerful nation in the world, so that no one would dare to attack them, and they could live at peace.  While God did promise that one day Messiah would come and set up his earthly kingdom, he also warned that some other things would happen before he did.  Since those things were not as desirable, they overlooked them.   In Matthew 10:34-36, Jesus made the point that his coming was not for the purpose of making peace between the good and the evil.  “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.  And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. “ 

In fact, Christ’s coming would emphasize the difference and widen the gap between good and evil.  The conflict would get even worse as a result of his coming.   Children would reject their parent’s teachings and standards, resulting in an expanding generational gap.  The young and old would literally be fighting each other, with those who should be closest being the worst enemies.  This has been true ever since Christ came and we are seeing it played out again in modern American society, between the young people and the older adults, between liberals and conservatives. 

In Matthew 10:37-38, Jesus said, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”  Luke 14:26-27 gives a slightly different account of the same teaching.  “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”  Literally, Jesus said that a person who was more concerned with either side than with God could not serve God, no matter how much they might want to be a Christian.  The choice is not between liberal and conservative ideologies, but between God and the world, as John 14:23-24 makes very clear.  “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.  He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.”

We have to understand that being a Christian is not about getting what we want, but about what Christ wants, as Matthew 10:39 points out.  “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”   In our efforts to get what we want out of life, we may give up our soul, just as a person may give up a happy marriage in the effort to gain a promotion or win some special recognition.  Mark 8:36-37 reminds us, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”   

Most people do not set out to deliberately destroy their marriage or reject Christ, they just become so focused on attaining their goals they neglect the relationship with their mate or with God and allow the it to die.  Ultimately, the extra money or the special recognition turns out to be rather insignificant as compared with the relationship that was lost.

Refusing to listen or assaulting or killing an American ambassador is an affront to the United States that may result in breaking of all relationships, while showing respect may result in improving relationships.       The Apostles, and Christians today are sent out as representatives or ambassadors of Christ.   Treating them with respect and listening to what they say shows a respect for the Lord himself, and leads to an improved relationship.    Matthew 10:40-42 tells us, “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.  He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.  And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”  Even a little concern for Christ and his word can have a tremendous impact.   It will be well worth our time to listen to God’s messengers, and put him first.

Preach The Word

When he sent out the disciples, Jesus gave specific instructions as to what they were to speak.  They were not to worry about how people would receive the message, or attempt to make it more appealing, as Matthew 10:27 tells us.  “What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.”  The Lord would teach them what they needed to know privately so that they could learn exactly what he intended, but then they were to proclaim it publically.  Attempting to make the scriptures more attractive or popular may well defeat the entire purpose, as I Corinthians 1:17 reminds us.  “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” 

Jesus had already warned that the world would persecute the Christians.  We are not to let that fear silence us or change our message.  Matthew 10:28 reminds us that the worst thing the world can do to us is kill our body but that God’s judgment will last for eternity.  “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”  While the world can torture us, sooner or later we die and they can do nothing more.  Mark 9:43-48 makes it very clear it would be better to be maimed and live in constant pain than to be cast into hell, because there the torture never ends and the victim never dies.  “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.  And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.  And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” 

The worst the world can do is nothing compared to the judgment of God for their persecution of his servants.  Matthew 10:29-31 points out that Christ values his servants very highly.   “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. Mt 10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.  Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”   

Christ loved us enough to give his very life for us, and he cares enough to keep track of how many hairs are on your head.  Obviously he cares far more for us than we care for ourselves.  He promises to introduce those who serve him at God’s throne, rewarding them for their faith and service. Those who deny Christ, refusing to accept him will be rejected, even though, like Judas Iscariot, they may have been very active in their religion, even acting as an apostle.  Matthew 7:21-23 warns, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Those who have received Christ will be rewarded according to what they have done, as I Corinthians 3:13-15 tells us.  “Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” 

If we wish to receive rewards, it is important that we teach the word, without fear, not modifying it to satisfy the world around us.  II Timothy 4:2-4 commands, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”  Modifying our message to placate the world defeats God’s purpose.  Just preach the Word the way God intended it.

Trust God In The Trials

Our human nature tends to be somewhat militant in trying to get our way and push our agenda.  Jesus did not send his disciples out to impose his will on other people.  Far too many today think of themselves as God’s army.  That was never God’s plan.    Matthew 10:16-18 warns, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.  But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.”   

While Christ has given us some defensive armor to protect us from spiritual attacks, we have no offensive weapons to attack our enemies.  Even an animal as strong as an elk or moose can be brought down by a pack of wolves in the right conditions, and sheep are really no challenge.  It is critical for the sheep to be aware of danger and stay away from the wolves, because even that cute friendly wolf pup will turn on them when he is with the rest of the pack.    Similarly, even those we thought were on our side may turn against us under pressure from the world.  We need to be careful not to expose ourselves to satanic attack.  Given the chance they will have us arrested and falsely accused of wrong doing because of our stance for Christ.  Be aware that when it happens, it stands as a testimony against them for disobeying God, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.   

Christians are going to be falsely accused from time to time and Matthew 10:19-20 commands, “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.  For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.”  Instead of spending a lot of time and money planning your legal defense, allow the Holy Spirit to speak through you.   One can only wonder how much different the scopes monkey trial would have turned out if they had depended on God rather than Clarence Darrow to present their case.  Similarly in Roe v Wade or numerous other court decisions. 

Public opinion controls most people, with the result that even our best friends and closest relatives may turn on us.  Matthew 10:21-22 warns, “And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”  Satan is the God of this world, and controls most public opinion.  He hates those who serve God, and will cause others to hate and harass you.  II Timothy 3:12 warns, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 

Anyone who serves God is going to suffer trials and persecution.  I Peter 4:12 warns, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.”  We should not let ourselves get upset by the persecution, as Matthew 10:23-26 tells us.  “But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. 

The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.  It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?  Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.” 

Instead of trying to force them to acknowledge your rights, simply move to another place where you are not persecuted.  We will never be able to reach everyone, and it is a waste of time trying to force people to accept what they don’t want.  It is better to move on to a place where people are more receptive.   We need to remember that Jesus was not received by everyone in his day either, and we are not better than he was.  He was accused of doing evil things, and can expect to be treated like he was.  We need to remember God is the judge, and knows exactly what is going on.  At the proper time, the truth will come out, and in the meantime, we can trust God as Romans 8:36-reminds us.  “As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Nothing they can say or do will separate us from God’s love.