Thursday, August 11, 2011

Matthew 11 - Why more people didn't recognize Jesus' divinity

Matthew 11 seems to be a point when Matthew gives multiple examples of people needing help to recognize Jesus' divinity or not recognizing it at all. It appears that he's trying to answer the question: If Jesus was the Savior, why didn't more people know it? Here's some answers.

1) You recognize John as a great prophet and John took some time to recognize Jesus was the Christ even after the baptism experience. However, John's role was to prepare people for me. Here's some verses from Matthew 11:

2 Now when aJohn had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those athings which ye do hear and see:

5 The ablind receive their bsight, and the lame walk, the clepersare cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and thedpoor have the gospel preached to them.

Then Jesus points out how bad the people are at recognizing prophets and God's work. He compares them to children who just don't understand what's going on:

16 ¶But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,

17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

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

19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and aa winebibber, a friend of bpublicansand sinners. But wisdom is justified cof her children.

Jesus also addresses the issue of more people towns not recognizing He is the Savior. It wasn't for a lack of miracles:

21 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 arepented long ago in sackcloth and bashes.

22 But I say unto you, It shall be more atolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.

23 And thou, Capernaum, which art aexalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to bhell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of aSodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

And finally, Jesus explains why it's wise that many people weren't easily convinced that he is the Savior. The "wise and prudent" couldn't recognize His works as the works of God, but the "babes" who are more humble and not influenced too much by what they expected to see in a Savior do see Jesus as the Son of God. These then benefit from Jesus' help:

25 ¶At that time Jesus answered and said, I athank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast bhid these things from the wise and cprudent, and hast drevealed them untoebabes.

26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

27 All athings are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither bknoweth any man the Father, save the Son, cand he to whomsoever the Son will drevealhim.

28 aCome unto me, all ye that blabour and are heavy laden, and I will give you crest.

29 Take my ayoke upon you, and blearn of me; for I am cmeek anddlowly in eheart: and ye shall find frest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is aeasy, and my burden is light.

I appreciate Matthew's explanations about why some didn't see Jesus as the Savior. It appears he systematically brings up many points explaining how Jesus is the Savior.

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