Day 4: Matthew 11-13, From John the Baptist to Parables
In the beginning of this section of Scripture, we find out that John the Baptist is in prison. He's in prison and he's asking about Jesus. He sends his disciples to Jesus with the question, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" Jesus responds by asking John's disciples to return with a report of what they have heard and seen.
And what have they heard and seen? "Those who were blind are able to see. Those who were crippled are walking. People with skin diseases are cleansed. Those who are deaf now hear. Those who are dead are raised up. The poor have good news proclaimed to them."
Jesus preaches good news to the poor, but he doesn't mince words either. In this passage there are words of comfort: "Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest." I gravitate to passages like these, thirsty for comfort. But I can't help noticing that Jesus is not just speaking comforting words here. He is speaking judgment on those who will not repent (that is, in my translation, those who will not "change their hearts and lives.") He is especially hard on those who are sticklers for keeping the rules regarding working on the Sabbath and healing on the Sabbath.
To those who are measuring themselves and others by harsh yardsticks, he uses a harsh yardstick himself. But to those who need relief, rest, comfort, he is merciful. He heals a man with a withered hand, and a demon-possessed man who is blind and unable to speak. Some people think he could be the Son of David. Others think he is a son of the devil. Jesus says that this doesn't make sense. "A house divided against itself cannot stand," he says. Why would the devil work against his own cause?
Jesus teaches and heals, comforts and challenges, and then, in chapter 13, he turns to another kind of teaching: parables. Matthew 13 is full of parables, long and short parables, parable with explanation, and parables that defy explanation. There is the famous parable of the sower and the seeds, and its allegorical explanation (I confess to loving the parable more than the explanation). There is the parable of the wheat and the weeds. There are short parables of the mustard seed, and the yeast and the pearl of great price.
Near the beginning of chapter 13, Jesus tells his followers that he speaks in parables so that people will not understand him (vss. 10-15). At the end of Matthew 13, Jesus tells his disciples that he speaks in parables so that he will "declare what has been hidden since the beginning of the world" (vs. 35). So, which is it? Does a parable reveal what has long been hidden? Or does it create a greater mystery? Or, could it be a little of both? What do you think?
I can tell you one thing: every one of these parables says way more than you would think, at first. Take that mustard seed, for example. It seems clear enough, right? The tiniest seed will become a mighty tree; that's what the kingdom of heaven is about. But if you knew what a mustard tree (or bush, exactly, looked liked), you might think calling it a "mighty tree" a pretty good joke. As well, a mustard bush was consider sort of a weed, perhaps an "invasive species". The kingdom of heaven is like an "invasive species." hmmmm. As the nature of God is mysterious, so are parables. They both reveal and they hide.
At their best, they surprise us. Are you surprised? Which parables surprise you?
And what have they heard and seen? "Those who were blind are able to see. Those who were crippled are walking. People with skin diseases are cleansed. Those who are deaf now hear. Those who are dead are raised up. The poor have good news proclaimed to them."
Jesus preaches good news to the poor, but he doesn't mince words either. In this passage there are words of comfort: "Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest." I gravitate to passages like these, thirsty for comfort. But I can't help noticing that Jesus is not just speaking comforting words here. He is speaking judgment on those who will not repent (that is, in my translation, those who will not "change their hearts and lives.") He is especially hard on those who are sticklers for keeping the rules regarding working on the Sabbath and healing on the Sabbath.
To those who are measuring themselves and others by harsh yardsticks, he uses a harsh yardstick himself. But to those who need relief, rest, comfort, he is merciful. He heals a man with a withered hand, and a demon-possessed man who is blind and unable to speak. Some people think he could be the Son of David. Others think he is a son of the devil. Jesus says that this doesn't make sense. "A house divided against itself cannot stand," he says. Why would the devil work against his own cause?
Jesus teaches and heals, comforts and challenges, and then, in chapter 13, he turns to another kind of teaching: parables. Matthew 13 is full of parables, long and short parables, parable with explanation, and parables that defy explanation. There is the famous parable of the sower and the seeds, and its allegorical explanation (I confess to loving the parable more than the explanation). There is the parable of the wheat and the weeds. There are short parables of the mustard seed, and the yeast and the pearl of great price.
Near the beginning of chapter 13, Jesus tells his followers that he speaks in parables so that people will not understand him (vss. 10-15). At the end of Matthew 13, Jesus tells his disciples that he speaks in parables so that he will "declare what has been hidden since the beginning of the world" (vs. 35). So, which is it? Does a parable reveal what has long been hidden? Or does it create a greater mystery? Or, could it be a little of both? What do you think?
I can tell you one thing: every one of these parables says way more than you would think, at first. Take that mustard seed, for example. It seems clear enough, right? The tiniest seed will become a mighty tree; that's what the kingdom of heaven is about. But if you knew what a mustard tree (or bush, exactly, looked liked), you might think calling it a "mighty tree" a pretty good joke. As well, a mustard bush was consider sort of a weed, perhaps an "invasive species". The kingdom of heaven is like an "invasive species." hmmmm. As the nature of God is mysterious, so are parables. They both reveal and they hide.
At their best, they surprise us. Are you surprised? Which parables surprise you?
I always enjoy reading fulfilled prophecies this time referring to John preparing the way for Jesus. I also like the verse 11:17 that says we played the flute you did not listen we mourned you did not repent. It is true today that unbelievers don't respond to the truth. they don't understand because the fact that they're unbelievers. In 11:11 the verse explains that he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than John the Baptist. It's kind of confusing. I'm not sure if I really understand it. I tried doing research and there are many explanations of what it means, some of which I still don't even understand. and so I'm wondering is John not in the Kingdom of Heaven because he hasn't been baptized yet and that's why those that have been baptized in the Kingdom of Heaven are greater? Of course I've always loved the passage 28 that speaks of his yoke being easy and his burden being light. I had the basic understanding of what that meant but reading my Bible commentary I learned more specifically that his yoke is an open free and loyal relationship and his burden is obedience to laws righteousness as opposed to the heavy burden of Jewish legalism. the scripture means so much more to me after learning that. I enjoy the passage that speaks of a kingdom, house or City divided against itself cannot stand. I like to think of that also as to how Satan puts thoughts and lies into our heads to dry try to divide ourself, creating an inner conflict that makes us full of doubts and suspicions. The devil knows with those inner conflicts how hard it is to stand firm in our faith. I think The Parables both create a greater mystery to unbelievers and reveal what is been hidden to Believers. I love The Parables, but I am very thankful that he explains them! Also, I appreciate your explanation of the mustard bush comparison to the kingdom of heaven. That was good!
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