Matthew 11-21

We have just finished reading Matthew 11-21. In this section of Matthew we see the mounting complaints, criticisms, and opposition toward Jesus. We see this opposition coming from all quarters and we see how Jesus handled it; by continuing to teach, preach, and heal. Jesus was not swayed nor distracted by the opposition. His heart was steadfast and steady in following His Father's will. He would use this criticism as an opportunity to teach.

Look at how the opposition grew from thinking to the accusation of Jesus being in league with the devil. Compare 8:33-34, 9:3-6, 10-11, 14, 32-34, 12:1-2, 9-14, 24, 38, 46-50, 13:53-58, 15:1-2, 16:1, 22-23, 17:24-27, 19:3, 21:14-16, 45-46. Notice what Jesus teaches during these occasions of opposition and criticism. Here is the question: What do you do when you are criticized and opposed? Do you try to defend yourself? Do you consider your actions in light of God's will? Do you seek to learn from the stress of it? Do you seek to teach others from the situation? Jesus shows us how to handle opposition.

This sections also gives us a clear teaching on the purpose of miracles. In 11:20 we learn that the purpose of miracles is to lead us to repent. Look also at 12:38-42, 43-45, 16:1-4. In each of these passages repentance is the key. Why would we repent in the sight of a miracle? Most of us would respond with "Wow; did you see that?" But Jesus teaches us that we should respond with, "Woe is me, I am undone; a man of unclean lips..." Repentance. Jesus is teaching us that the only way for a miracle to happen is if God is present and active. Only God can do miracles. Miracles are the work of His hand. And turning (repentance) to Him in every occasion is always the right thing to do, it is always the right response.

There are different kinds of miracles in this section. There are restorative miracles, like when Jesus would restore a person's eyesight or speech (12:22). There are nature miracles where Jesus changes things into a different nature, like when He and Peter walked on the water (14:22-33). There are creative miracles, like when Jesus healed the man with the withered hand. He created muscle and tendons that were not there before. The question we must ask as we see this is: What kind of repentance do these miracles lead me to? In the presence of creative miracles my repentant response should be; "Lord, create in me a clean heart." In the presence of a restoring miracle; "Lord, restore unto me the joy of your salvation." The the light of a nature miracle; "Oh God, change me; I'm so easily swayed and tossed about by every wind and wave of temptation; Change me into a solid witness for you; transform my mind; my will; my emotions." The last miracle in Matthew done by Jesus is found at the end of this reading section for the week, 21:18-22. It is the strangest miracle that Jesus performed in that it was the only destructive miracle He ever performed. Notice the teaching Jesus gave as the result of it. How would you respond with repentance as a result of that miracle and teaching?

In this section we also see two of the five blocks of teachings from Jesus; chapter 13 on the nature of the Kingdom and chapter 18 on the nature of the Kingdom in me; or greatness in the Kingdom. In 13:24, 31, 33, 44, 45, and 47, it says "the Kingdom of heaven is like..." and then lists six very different things. Each of these things reveals something about the nature of the Kingdom. Jesus is teaching us that the Kingdom is like things that are in our lives, things that we can understand. He is letting us know that if we are interested in the Kingdom we can learn about it. But in chapter 18 Jesus teaches us that there comes a point when we must decide whether we want to know about the Kingdom or do we want to enter it. In chapter 18 we learn of greatness in the Kingdom, or how great it is in us when we enter into it. Jesus says three things about the greatness of the Kingdom; humility is great in the Kingdom, our witness and the rejection of sin is great in the Kingdom, and forgiveness is great in the Kingdom. Forgiveness gets most of the print in this block of teaching. When Jesus tells the parable of the wealthy king who entrusted 10,000 talents to a servant (a talent was one lifetime's wages for a common laborer; @ $7 an hour/48 hrs/week/ 51 wks./year X 10,000 it equals $2.9 billion), then asked for his account, the king learned he had lost it all. This is a very wealthy king. This is a very irresponsible servant. The servant begs for forgiveness and receives it. This king is so wealthy, the loss of $2.9 billion doesn't set him back. But when this servant goes out and finds a fellow servant that owes him 100 denarii (a denarius was one day's wage), or about $5,600, and the fellow servant begs for forgiveness but does not receive it from the irresponsible servant. The other servants report the injustice to the king. The parable ends with one of the most startling statements made by Jesus in 18:35, to emphasize that forgiveness received and given is a big deal in the Kingdom.

One of the most misunderstood statements of Jesus is found in this section of teachings, 18:18. This is when Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." The context is forgiveness and reconciliation with a brother. What Jesus is teaching is that binding and loosing has to do with relationships. We are to be bound together as brothers and sisters in the Kingdom and are to loose forgiveness with each other here on earth because this is what is bound and loosed in heaven. This is an application to the prayer Jesus taught in 6:10, "...Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven..."

The point is that if we desire to enter the Kingdom, we must realize the greatness of it and be willing for great humility, great rejection of sin in our lives, and great forgiveness to be received and given. We must be ready to receive great change in the way things have been in our lives. What about you? Do you desire a change in your life or do you want to continue simply being you? If you are satisfied in being you, don't follow Christ. But if you desire a Life that fully pleases God, follow Christ and receive His. Christianity is about the Life of Jesus being lived in you, through you, as you before the watching world, for His glory.

Next week we finish Matthew's gospel with the section of chapter 21-28.