All About Pocket Knives

Jesus Commissions the Twelve

Matthew 10:1–15 “These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, ‘Go…to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’” (vv. 5–7).

Before Matthew gives us the bulk of Christ’s missionary discourse (10:5–42), he lists the twelve disciples who follow Jesus during His ministry in Israel. Scripture says little about most of these men, but what we do know explains Matthew’s ordering of their names (vv. 1–4). Peter is listed first because he is the most prominent of the twelve, the first to preach the Gospel after Pentecost (Acts 2:1–41) and the first apostle to see Gentiles converted (chap. 10). Judas’ later betrayal of the Lord earns him the last place in the group (Matt. 26:14–16).

These twelve are those to whom Jesus first directs His call to ministry in today’s passage (10:5–15). This is important because the fact that the disciples are the ones specifically commissioned in these verses probably means that not everything in this passage is directly applicable to the post-apostolic era. For instance, we know that the command of Christ not to go the Gentiles (vv. 5–6) cannot still be in force, because after His resurrection our Savior tells His people to preach the Gospel to all nations (28:18–20). Similarly, Matthew 10:8a tells the disciples to perform various miracles, but most Reformed scholars understand that the gift of miracles ceased with the death of the last apostle, though God Himself does still heal people at times in answer to prayer.

However, Jesus teaches several principles in this text that are also reflected in passages dealing specifically with the church’s ongoing work in the post-apostolic age. Matthew 10:9–10, for instance, tells the disciples to acquire no money and take with them only what is necessary for their task (verse 10 probably only forbids an extra pair of sandals and staff). Clearly, Jesus is commanding His ministers to live simply, a requirement found also in 1 Timothy 3:1–3, which limits the office of elder to those who do not love money. Of course, these passages do not tell us the church should not take good care of her pastors. It just says that ministers are not to be greedy or in it for the money. John Chrysostom comments that they are not to look “constantly for better fare, which would vex those who would be receiving [them] and give [them] the reputation of self-indulgence” (Homilies on the Gospel of Saint Matthew, 32.5).

Coram deo: Living before the face of God

Jesus’ selection of twelve disciples is intentional and patterned on the twelve tribes of Israel. Just as God once formed His people from the twelve sons of Jacob, so too does Christ form a new people starting with the twelve apostles. These disciples, indeed, all Christians, are to be content with what is necessary to fulfill their vocations and are not to be greedy. Does your life reflect such simplicity, or are you consumed with the things of this world?

For further study: Genesis 49:28

Titus 3:4-7
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 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.

Thanks for posting Willy!

Deuteronomy 31:8
And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Seeking the Lost

Luke 15 “I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (v. 7).

Generally speaking, a dog owner will search high and low for his pet if he finds that his animal is missing. He might walk through his neighborhood yelling out the name of his dog in hopes that it will come running. The local animal control center may receive several visits a day from this owner, hoping to find that the dog has been picked up and brought there. Normally, he will also plaster the telephone poles on the local streets with flyers promising a reward for the animal’s return. He may even go door-to-door, asking his neighbors if they have seen his pet.

While dogs are a good gift from the Lord, it is indeed sad that too many followers of Christ are more concerned to find lost pets than they are to find lost people. We easily grow complacent about our participation in the mission Jesus has given to us (Matt. 28:18–20). The task of world evangelization is so large that we often ignore it. Without necessarily bearing a malicious intent, most of us probably overlook the desperate needs found even in our own communities. Church buildings are often treated as doctor’s offices. Just as a physician waits at his practice for patients to come for treatment, so too do we act as if sinners will of their own accord visit the church in order to find salvation.

The task of seeking, however, belongs to the Christian community. As indicated in the three parables found in today’s passage, God’s passion is to seek out the lost. If they died tonight, the unrepentant sinners around us would go to hell, and our concern for these unbelievers is to be so great that we search them out, share the Gospel, and then rejoice when someone trusts Jesus (Luke 15:1–10). Lest there be any doubt about the Creator’s desire to find and be reconciled to lost sinners, the parable of the prodigal son tells us that the Father Himself rejoices when errant men and women return to Him (vv. 11–32).

We who have been found by Christ must never forget our desperation, lostness, purposelessness, and hopelessness before the Savior found us (Eph. 2:11–12). May we go out of our way to find and befriend non-Christians so that we might be used of Jesus to lead them into His kingdom.

Coram deo: Living before the face of God

How much do you know about the spiritual needs of your city? Where is the closest neighborhood to yours that has been given over to drug lords and other criminals because the hope of Christ is so absent? Where are those affluent areas in which people attempt to find purpose in their possessions because they do not know the One who makes life meaningful? Work with your pastor and elders to find unbelievers and then go and do what you can to bring the Gospel to them.

For further study: Ezekiel 34:11–16

Philippians 2:1-2
Humility and Unity
Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, complete my joy, so that you are in agreement, having the same love, united in spirit, having one purpose.
(Lexham English Bible)

The Biblical Basis for Missions

John 3:16–17 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (v. 17).

Even Christians who attend churches that are faithful to the teaching of Scripture have an unfortunate tendency to see a tension between God the Father and God the Son. Without necessarily being conscious of it, many think of the Father as harsh and vindictive, seeking only to punish mankind. At the same time, His Son Jesus Christ is viewed as the compassionate and merciful one who must persuade His Father to spare some of His people from wrath. However, this is a gross distortion of the biblical teaching.

As today’s passage indicates, it is the Father Himself who, out of love for creation, has sent His Son to save transgressors (John 3:16–17). In fact, when we look at the wide scope of redemptive history, we find that the Almighty has always been the one who sends out emissaries for the purposes of salvation. God sent Moses to Pharaoh to liberate the children of Israel from bondage (Ex. 3:1–10). Likewise, He sent the prophets to call the people to repent of their sins in order that they might be rescued from destruction (2 Kings 17:13).

The concept of God sending His servants into the world to save them from judgment is so important that the church recognizes her call in the very word used to describe worldwide outreach — missions. This word comes from the Latin verb missio, which means “to send.” When the church sends evangelists and missionaries to preach the Gospel, she is imitating the Creator Himself.

Furthermore, the church sends proclaimers of the Word to the ends of the earth in order to fulfill the Savior’s direct command. First, the Father sent Jesus to save sinners, and now, Christ sends His people to bring the word of salvation to those who have never heard of Him (John 17:16–18). Loving our Redeemer requires us to obey His commandments (14:15), one of which is the call to world missions. We need not fear any opposition that may arise when we go forth, because as we follow Jesus we can be assured that He has asked the Father to send the Holy Spirit to go out with us (vv. 16–17). His presence assures us that the task of missions is not impossible; our preaching will surely be used to bring salvation to the ends of the earth when we are sent into the world.

Coram deo: Living before the face of God

Not all of us are called to be full-time missionaries, but all of us are called to be involved in missions — if not as goers, then as senders. Have you fully grasped the importance of world missions to the plans of God? Consider today the budget you have established for giving to worldwide outreach. Try to increase what you give to the sending of workers — if not permanently, then in a one-time gift to a missionary who needs support to fulfill his call.

For further study: Isaiah 6:8

Systematic Evangelism

Acts 8:1–8 “There arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles” (v. 1b).

Regrettably, we often overlook what today’s passage tells us about evangelism in the early church. Immediately after the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:54–60), a “great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem,” which caused all of the Christians there, except the apostles, to be scattered throughout Judea and Samaria (8:1b). In other words, the laity in Jerusalem were forced to flee the city and leave those ordained to church office behind. This is significant because it was these scattered laypeople who began preaching the Word beyond Jerusalem (v. 4), beginning the spread of the Gospel to the ends of the earth as Jesus predicted (1:6–8). From the church’s earliest days, lay Christians have been faithful and effective evangelists.

Nevertheless, many believers in the church today feel unequipped to proclaim the Gospel, or they think the responsibility to preach Christ to non-Christians lies solely with the pastor. Such sentiments are easily explainable: No one has taught them how to share the good news of Jesus Christ. If people are to proclaim the Gospel, they must learn how to share it with others.

All Christians can benefit from systematic evangelism, that is, some kind of evangelistic program that is easy to memorize and use for spreading God’s Word. Getting to the basic facts of the Gospel — the demands of the Lord’s holiness, our sin, the atonement and resurrection of Christ — and packaging them in a way that is easy to learn and repeat can go a long way towards helping people evangelize. Many different programs exist, one of the most popular being Evangelism Explosion by Dr. D. James Kennedy. Churches that have used this program testify to its success in getting people involved in evangelism.

Of course, we run the risk of distortion any time we try to reduce the Gospel to its simplest points. However, even the apostles worked with a simplified message when they went to those who knew nothing of the Bible. The apostolic sermons in Acts show us that the kerygma, the basic message of the Gospel, was delivered to the Gentiles who knew nothing of God’s Word. Only after people were converted did systematic, in-depth teaching of the Scriptures begin.

Coram deo: Living before the face of God

Many people leave evangelism up to Sunday school teachers and the preaching of the pastor. However, this confuses teaching with evangelism. The teaching ministry of the church is essential to the growth of the kingdom, but its primary task is to educate those who are already Christians — any evangelism that happens is secondary. If you feel unequipped to share the Gospel, seek a program designed to help you preach the Gospel to those who do not know Jesus.

For further study: Psalm 86:11

Prepare to Be Persecuted

Matthew 10:16–25 “A disciple is not above his teacher… If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household” (vv. 24–25).

Having surveyed the wider biblical teaching on missions and evangelism, we return to the gospel according to Matthew and resume our study at 10:16, right in the middle of Christ’s missionary discourse. Now that He is about to send His disciples into a world hostile to God’s kingdom, our Savior takes time in today’s passage to warn His followers that they will often bring His words to sinners who are all too eager to “shoot the messengers.”

Knowing what is ahead, Jesus describes how we are to conduct our outreach. Verse 16 exhorts us to act with a wise innocence — “innocent as doves that we may not harm anyone; cautious as snakes that we may be careful of letting anyone harm us” (Augustine, The Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the Twenty-first Century, vol. 3, 3:189). We are not to be naïve, but we must realize that not all whom we encounter are who they say they are. Still, our mission is not one of subversiveness or automatic mistrust of everyone we meet.

In Matthew 10:17–23, Jesus speaks both of events near in His day as well as things in the distant future. The prophets frequently speak in such ways, describing in the same paragraph judgments that are soon to come for their contemporaries as well as things that are far off. Today’s passage, for example, says the disciples will be unable to visit all of Israel’s towns before “the Son of Man comes” (v. 23). We will explore this idea in more detail when we study the Olivet Discourse (chap. 24), but for now note that Jesus is most likely predicting Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 a.d., an event that happens within the lifetimes of most of the twelve. The reference to Gentile persecution (10:17–18) deals more with oppression after the disciples preach the Gospel to the Israelites, and, indeed, events to occur time and again in church history.

To be a Christian is to imitate Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). If many have persecuted Him, so also will many hate us for preaching His Gospel. We who follow Him cannot expect to escape the tribulation our Lord also endured (Matt. 10:24–25). Let us embrace this truth and, as John Calvin says, “be bold and courageous, that [we] may be always ready for martyrdom.”

Coram deo: Living before the face of God

John MacArthur is forthright about what Matthew 10 teaches the church: “Christ will have no one deluded into thinking that He calls believers to a life free from conflict” (The MacArthur Bible Commentary, p. 1,142). Are you ready for the conflict that comes with following Jesus? If you will not stand up for Jesus today when you talk to unbelieving friends and family members, will you be prepared to stand up against more hostile adversaries?

For further study: 2 Chron. 24:20–22

Thanks for that lesson Willy!

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Fearing the Right Person

Matthew 10:26–39 “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (v. 28).

The Son of God’s incarnation makes Him uniquely able to understand human frailties (Heb. 2:14–18). Jesus has walked “a mile in our shoes,” having chosen to put up with a lower status for a time without casting off any of His divine attributes (Phil. 2:5–11). Thus, Christ anticipates the worries we will have when persecuted for His name’s sake. He allays these fears in Matthew 10.

Many believers, our Lord knows, worry about what they will say if they are brought before an angry court because they are not eloquent speakers. Yet these disciples need not fear; the Father’s Spirit will give them the right words to say (vv. 19–20). Jesus is not teaching that we may neglect the study of His Word, He is promising that the Holy Spirit will show Himself strong in our weaknesses. Christians across the ages have seen Him keep His pledge (Acts 4:1–13; 6:8–15).

Today’s passage further encourages us not to fear those who hate the Gospel. In Jesus’ day, Palestinian homes have flat roofs from which news is often proclaimed. Our Savior’s disciples need not worry about what will happen when they give His Word from the rooftops, that is, when they preach the Gospel boldly. Even if His people are maligned now, the truth will win out in the end and the goodness of His witnesses will be vindicated (Matt. 10:26–27).

Jesus’ sovereignty comforts us when the Gospel divides families. The Lord’s design in sending the Gospel includes its bringing of strife (vv. 34–39). However, though Christ brings the sword, He does not create the conflict. The peace Jesus offers comes on terms many refuse to accept. Strife comes not directly from the Lord’s hand, but from the response of secondary, human agents who hate Him and those who embrace the Gospel. Saying that He brings the sword is a Semitic way of attributing an indirect result of His mission to Himself even though He is not to blame for the outcome. Christ does not directly set family members against one another; those who reject the Lord are the culprits (Rom. 9:19–20).

Finally, the persecuted find greatest comfort in knowing whom to fear. Wicked men can only kill the body, but God destroys body and soul in hell (Matt. 10:28). Those who adore Him will rise, body and soul, to eternal life (Rev. 21).

Coram deo: Living before the face of God

John Chrysostom, one of the finest preachers in the early church, once declared, “Let the hope of the good things to come raise you up. For the true story of your testimony cannot be suppressed forever” (Homilies on the Gospel of St. Matthew, 34.1). Though we may face opposition and persecution now, we know that in the end all will be set right and the servants of Christ will be vindicated. Let this precious truth encourage you to stand firm for the Gospel.

For further study: Psalm 58:11

Fulfilling the Call to Missions

Matthew 10:40–42 “Whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward” (v. 42).

Fundamental to the New Testament’s teaching on the church is that all believers have an important part to play in the extension of the kingdom of God. The body of Christ is made up of a variety of people who possess a variety of gifts (1 Cor. 12:12–31), all of which are necessary for the church to function properly. The church’s task cannot be accomplished by one individual; all of us must work together to advance the Lord’s mission. Furthermore, all who work to achieve the ends for which our Father has created His church will be rewarded, no matter the particular part they play in the kingdom’s advance.

This truth is taught clearly in today’s passage, the conclusion to Christ’s missionary discourse. So far, Jesus has called His disciples to ministry and has prepared them for the inevitable opposition from this fallen world (Matt. 10:1–39). But what about those who want to follow the Savior and yet lack the skills, gifts, or qualifications to engage in full-time Christian service? How can they extend the Gospel? Jesus answers these questions in verses 40–42 by promising a great reward to all who support His emissaries.

Receiving His workers (v. 40) — providing room and board for His full-time servants — deserves a prize, not because the messengers themselves are worthy, but because to do such things for Christ’s disciples is to treat the Lord in the same way. John Calvin comments that “if any one would receive [the disciples] in a friendly manner, and do them kind offices, [Jesus] would be as highly pleased as if their benevolence had been exercised towards his own person; and not only so, but that in such a sacrifice God the Father would smell a sweet savor.” There is such a strong connection between Christ and His people that what we do for a believer we do for the Savior. Even if we are not in full-time ministry ourselves, we serve Jesus Himself when we provide for the Gospel’s extension.

Even the tiniest service does not go unnoticed; those who give cold water to Christ’s ministers, an inexpensive act of hospitality, are not forgotten (v. 42). As Matthew Henry says, Christ values the aid offered to His people “not according to the cost of the gift, but according to the love and affection of the giver.”

Coram deo: Living before the face of God

Only a small percentage of Christians are called to full-time service in the church. Yet even those who do not work in the foreign mission field or hold ecclesiastical office are vital to the extension of the Gospel. Besides working diligently in our jobs and evangelizing those in our lives, praying for the growth of the kingdom, volunteering in the church, and giving money for outreach are all ways we can fulfill Christ’s call to care for His ministers.

For further study: 1 Samuel 21:1–9

Disciples from John

Matthew 11:1–6 “Go and tell John…the blind receive their sight and the lame walk…the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me” (vv. 4–6).

Among the more persuasive evidences for the authenticity of Scripture is the Bible’s willingness to tell the whole truth about the people it describes even when they look bad. Scripture does not hide the faults of the great heroes of the faith. The authors of the various biblical books could have passed over the occasions on which figures like Moses doubted the Lord (Ex. 4:1–17). Such episodes are included because the apostles and prophets, under the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, knew they had to tell the truth about these people, warts and all.

Of all people, we would expect John the Baptist to have the fewest doubts about the person and work of Jesus. After all, he is the Messiah’s forerunner and has already baptized Him, recognizing Him as the Father’s Anointed One (Matt. 3). Yet even John, a great man of God, wavers when the going gets tough. John’s righteousness in standing up to Herod Antipas has landed him in a jail cell in Herod’s fortress at Machaerus, located southeast of Jerusalem on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea (4:12; 14:1–4). There has been no judgment of evil or vindication of holiness, which John expects to happen at the hands of Jesus, God’s Messiah (3:11–12). As a result, John begins to question His identity, and he sends some of his disciples to inquire of Him (11:1–3).

Jesus answers John’s question indirectly with a list of miracles (vv. 4–5), most of which are drawn from messianic prophecies in Isaiah 35 and 61. Interestingly, He does not recite the promises of vengeance also found in these chapters from Isaiah. It is as if He is saying to John, “Yes, I am the Messiah and my miracles prove it. But the final judgment is yet to come. In the meantime, I will preach the Gospel to the poor and redeem God’s people.” Christ is inviting John to read Isaiah again and bring his expectations of the Messiah’s work into line with what the prophet says about how the righteous (especially Jesus) must suffer before the kingdom comes in all its fullness (chap. 53).

Like John, we live in an era when the good guys do not always win. Righteous people suffer and this can lead us to doubt God’s promises. But Christ’s kingdom is growing, and we look forward to its sure consummation (Heb. 9:27–28).

Coram deo: Living before the face of God

Matthew Henry writes: “The remaining unbelief of good men may sometimes, in an hour of temptation, strike at the root, and call in question the most fundamental truths which were thought to be well settled. The best saints have need of the best helps they can get for the strengthening of their faith, and the arming of themselves against temptations to infidelity.” Let us turn to the Word and other Christians so that doubt does not fester into unbelief.

For further study: Psalm 27

More than a Prophet

Matthew 11:7–15 “For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come” (vv. 13–14).

Given John the Baptist’s earlier declarations about Jesus, his doubts about the Lord’s identity raised in Matthew 11:1–6 could have led many to question the consistency of his ministry. How could they not doubt his steadfastness and teaching since he has gone from exalting Jesus (3:13–17; John 3:22–36) to inquiring if He is truly the Christ? Alternatively, how could they trust in Jesus as the Messiah if the beloved John the Baptist had doubts about Him?

Jesus addresses these thoughts with His own questions. When swayed by the wind, the long reeds beside the Jordan River are visual metaphors of those who teach according to the whims of men. Christ’s inquiry about the reed intends to ask if John is one to change his message with the blowing of the wind (Matt. 11:7). He expects the people to answer that John was a faithful preacher. Similarly, Christ’s question about soft clothing (v. reminds them that they sought John, a prophet who like Elijah wears camel’s hair (2 Kings 1:8), not fine linen. Jesus is saying that John is a prophet whose words must be embraced.

However, John is not only like Elijah, he is Elijah. In verses 9–10, Christ says John the Baptist fulfills Malachi 3:1, which looks for a special messenger to come before the Day of the Lord. This messenger is Elijah (Mal. 4:5–6), and in going before Jesus, John is revealed as the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy. Of course, John is not Elijah reincarnated. Just as the prophets refer to the coming Messiah as David (Jer. 30:9) because David is the prototypical king, so too does Malachi say the Messiah’s forerunner is Elijah since Elijah is the exemplary prophet. But Jesus is not literally David, nor is John the Baptist literally Elijah.

John is indeed great, but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater still (Matt. 11:11). Here Jesus contrasts John’s place in redemptive history with that of the new covenant believer. John saw Jesus, but he died before the Lord’s death and resurrection. After His resurrection, we understand the work of Christ more clearly. Moreover, even today we experience new covenant benefits — like immediate access to God’s presence (Heb. 10:19–22) and the indwelling Spirit (Rom. 8:9) more powerfully than John did when he walked the earth.

Coram deo: Living before the face of God

John Calvin says the new covenant minister’s preaching is greater than John the Baptist’s because “it holds out Christ as having rendered complete and eternal satisfaction by his one sacrifice, as the conqueror of death and the Lord of life, and because it withdraws the veil, and elevates believers to the heavenly sanctuary.” John the Baptist was blessed, but we are more greatly favored to live in an era more cognizant of God’s grace in Christ.

For further study: Zephaniah 1:7

What Is Evangelism?

Romans 10:15 “How are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” (v. 15).

Now that we have defined the Gospel, we will begin looking at what it means to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Evangelism is the term we use to refer to the preaching of the Gospel. It comes from the same Greek word for gospel (euangelion) and means, literally, “gospeling.” When we evangelize we are “gospeling” — we are spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Evangelism is one way in which we can fulfill Christ’s call to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). In biblical categories, witnessing involves making visible what is otherwise invisible. The reality to which we bear witness is the invisible kingdom of God, and in witnessing we strive to make the Lord’s reign visibly manifest. Among the many ways we can bear witness to Jesus is through loving our fellow believers. We reveal to the world that we belong to our Savior when we love other Christians (John 13:34–35). Celebrating the Lord’s Supper proclaims visibly the Lord’s death until He comes again (1 Cor. 11:26). In preaching the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus in our evangelism, we are also helping to make visible the invisible reality of Christ.

The distinction between witnessing and evangelism is important because it is easy to think we are evangelizing when all we are doing is bearing witness to the Savior. Giving one’s testimony is a good thing, but it is not evangelism. Testifying to the work of God in our lives bears witness to what Christ has done for us; it does not by itself give the content of the Gospel. Living a righteous life manifests the work of the Holy Spirit, but we have not evangelized our neighbor if we have never shared the Gospel with him. No one is converted by our kindness or honesty; they are brought into the kingdom of heaven only through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:25–34).

God has created us with different personalities and gifts, and some of us are more adept at the verbal proclamation of the Gospel than others. Nevertheless, declaring the message of salvation through Christ is the responsibility of us all, and we must seek opportunities to preach the Gospel. Only if we confess Him before men will He confess us before the Father (Matt. 10:32–33).

Coram deo: Living before the face of God

Declaring the Gospel is a job given to every Christian, but we can hardly preach the good news of Jesus Christ if we do not know any unbelievers. How many non-Christians do you know? If you do not have any contact with non-Christians, look for an opportunity to make contact with a neighbor, co-worker, or someone else. This week let us all share the Gospel with at least one person who does not know the Savior.

For further study: Psalm 68:11

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

An Obstinate Generation

Matthew 11:16–19 “To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates” (v. 16).

Jesus finishes His teaching on Elijah and John the Baptist with the enigmatic statement, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matt. 11:15). This saying presupposes the biblical view of human depravity, revealing that human beings need more than ears to hear — to receive, understand, and act upon — divine revelation. It is not as if those who oppose Christ’s message cannot hear spoken syllables and sounds with their ears. Instead, the hurdle that prevents sinful humanity from receiving and embracing the Lord’s message is a moral one. Apart from God’s sovereign grace, His enemies do not want to believe His promises or follow His agenda (Ex. 7:13; Matt. 23:37–39; Rom. 1:18–32).

Christ makes this point forcefully in today’s passage, assessing the hearts of His contemporaries using a back-and-forth exchange between two different groups of children. Some kids complain that the other group does not dance to the tune of a flute; the other group complains that their dirge does not make the first crowd of children lament (Matt. 11:16–17). The kids represent those set against the Father. On the one hand, they did not join in when John came in the wilderness living an austere life and exhorting Israel to repentance (3:4–6). Yet this same group does not rejoice when Jesus preaches about the inauguration of God’s kingdom (4:17; 9:32–34). In other words, there is nothing that the Lord’s messengers can do to make those who hate Him happy. Whether the message is joyful or sad, the Father’s opponents will find an excuse to deny it (11:18–19). Their hearts are hardened, and their failure to embrace the Almighty’s word to their generation is the fault of neither Jesus nor John.

As one commentator has noted, many of those living during the ministry of Jesus are like children who pout and whine when others will not play their game. They are hypocrites who will always find a reason to complain when God’s Word offends their ears. Without seeing the inconsistencies of their view, they reject both lamentation and celebration. But in attributing sin to John and Jesus and not themselves, they show themselves to be fools. For the miraculous works of Jesus show that the unbeliever’s estimation is patently false (11:19b).

Coram deo: Living before the face of God

Matthew Henry asks, “If people will neither be awakened by the greatest things, nor allured by the sweetest things, nor startled by the most terrible things, nor be made aware by the plainest of things; if they will listen to the voice neither of Scripture, nor reason, nor experience, nor providence, nor conscience, nor interest, what more can be done?” There are none so blind as those who will not see. Are you like those who refuse to heed our Lord’s call?

For further study: Numbers 11

Enjoyed it WillyC.

doglegg wrote: ↑Tue May 03, 2022 1:48 am Enjoyed it WillyC.

Amen!
GREATLY enjoyed!

Same here brothers, same here.

"In the world ye shall have tribulation."
John 16:33

Art thou asking the reason of this, believer? Look upward to thy heavenly Father, and behold him pure and holy. Dost thou know that thou art one day to be like him? Wilt thou easily be conformed to his image? Wilt thou not require much refining in the furnace of affliction to purify thee? Will it be an easy thing to get rid of thy corruptions, and make thee perfect even as thy Father which is in heaven is perfect? Next, Christian, turn thine eye downward. Dost thou know what foes thou hast beneath thy feet? Thou wast once a servant of Satan, and no king will willingly lose his subjects. Dost thou think that Satan will let thee alone? No, he will be always at thee, for he "goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." Expect trouble, therefore, Christian, when thou lookest beneath thee. Then look around thee. Where art thou? Thou art in an enemy's country, a stranger and a sojourner. The world is not thy friend. If it be, then thou art not God's friend, for he who is the friend of the world is the enemy of God. Be assured that thou shalt find foe-men everywhere. When thou sleepest, think that thou art resting on the battlefield; when thou walkest, suspect an ambush in every hedge. As mosquitoes are said to bite strangers more than natives, so will the trials of earth be sharpest to you. Lastly, look within thee, into thine own heart and observe what is there. Sin and self are still within. Ah! if thou hadst no devil to tempt thee, no enemies to fight thee, and no world to ensnare thee, thou wouldst still find in thyself evil enough to be a sore trouble to thee, for "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." Expect trouble then, but despond not on account of it, for God is with thee to help and to strengthen thee. He hath said, "I will be with thee in trouble; I will deliver thee and honour thee."
Charles Spurgeon