Revealed in Rejection

January 31, 2010

Background Scripture: Matthew 11:20 – 24; 13:54 – 58; Luke 4:16 – 30
Lesson Passage: Matthew 11:20 – 24; 13:54 – 58

Jesus contrasted Israel’s rejection of him as their Messiah to what would have been the reaction of former communities that were destroyed for their wickedness without having the benefit of what these communities had seen and experienced. Although these communities could see the results of the miracles Jesus performed, they were still blind to the message Jesus proclaimed along with the miracles. This was especially true of those who were leaders and the religious citizens of those communities. On the other hand, the simple, unlearned, and poor were benefiting both physically and spiritually through Jesus’ ministry. Not only were they being blessed in receiving healing and physical restoration, they were also blessed because they simply accepted by faith the words that Jesus spoke. While those who were religious debated the merits of Jesus’ claims and sought to dismiss them altogether, the poor and disenfranchised embraced Jesus. They accepted the miracles as proof of the message. They did not pretend to know the scriptures or the prophecies concerning the Messiah therefore they had nothing to debate. For them, “the proof was in the pudding”. No man had ever been known to do the things that Jesus did therefore Jesus’ explanation of those things was accepted at face value. Although many were receiving and being blessed, the communities as a whole were rejecting the message Jesus proclaimed along with the miracles. Jesus verbally chastised the indifferent in the regions that had been witnesses to his miracles. Their condemnation was based on their reaction versus what others would have done had they been given the same opportunity. Jesus said that cities that were destroyed would have repented and been spared had they witnessed the same miracles. This is no light indictment! Jesus stated that Sodom would have remained standing for thousands of years—even to that date—had they been allowed to witness the same works! The Sodomites would have repented? One would think that their destruction was based on their being too far gone in terms of moral corruption to be spared. Yet, Jesus said they would have remained if they had witnessed the same works he performed in Capernaum. Capernaum’s judgment would therefore be much more severe because of their indifference to Jesus’ mighty works. Jesus encountered the same form of rejection in his home town of Nazareth. Perhaps here he was too familiar to them. They knew him, his parents, and his siblings. They could not imagine him being the Messiah because they thought they already knew so much about him. Here, even many of his miracles were also rejected along with his message. This led Jesus to declare that a prophet is not given honor by those who are the most familiar with him but rather by those who know very little or nothing about him. Even in the midst of rejection, Jesus took time to rebuke those who would not accept him or his message. Jesus used their rejection of him as another opportunity to provide evidence that he is the Messiah. He did so by declaring the reaction that past communities would have had if they had been given those present opportunities. Only the Messiah could have known such a thing.

Robert C. Hudson
January 18, 2010

Declared in Prayer

January 24, 2010

Background Scripture: Matthew 11:25 – 30
Lesson Passage: Matthew 11:25 – 30

How does the Messiah pray? What does he pray for and what does he pray about? Since Israel had been waiting for many years for the Messiah, how were they to know when he had arrived on the scene? In our lesson today we examine further evidence of Jesus as the Messiah as revealed through his prayer. This prayer comes at the end of a very harsh rebuke of those that were witnesses of his miracles but they still refused to yield to his message. Jesus declared that the works he did were enough evidence to cause the truly repentant to turn to God and be spared. After citing examples of cities from the past that were condemned as a warning to those that were indifferent during the time of his ministry, he then turned to the Father in prayer.

Jesus thanked God for opening the eyes of the spiritual babes while blinding the wise and the prudent. He was thankful because this was good in the Father’s sight to do so. He then declared himself to be the only link between God and man. All things come from the Father through Jesus. There is no other route or “Plan B”. There is no relationship with the Father outside of Jesus. This is a very dogmatic statement within the Christian faith. If a person is to know God, it can only be done through the Son. Jesus is not a way to God but he is the only way! This is a very different view than the philosophy within many other religious faiths of the world. Whereas many people believe and are taught that there are many ways to achieve spiritual salvation, this is in stark contrast to the Christian view that Jesus is, without equal, the only way that God has given to mankind to be saved eternally. The only way to know God is to accept the revelation of him as revealed through his son Jesus.

Jesus then made an impassioned plea, “Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” This was and continues to be the greatest invitation ever extended to mankind. Jesus offered to bring us to the Father. He promised to provide rest for weary souls. The invitation is for us to take on Jesus’ Lordship or yoke. He characterizes himself as an ideal Master. He does not overburden us or make our relationship with him difficult. His yoke is easy and his burden is light. He invites us to accept his Lordship and learn of him and thereby we shall find rest for our souls. Only the Messiah could do such a thing and Jesus declared it in prayer.

Robert C. Hudson
January 13, 2010