This week’s Wednesday Word is a summary of Dr. Wellum’s exposition of Matthew 11-12 given on Sunday, March 29, 2009.
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.”(Matthew 9:35)
This verse serves as the other bookend to Matt. 4:23. which enclose the chapters of Jesus’ teaching (5-7) and his ministry (8-9). Jesus looks on the crowds with compassion at the end of chapter 9 and tells his disciples to pray for workers to go into the harvest that is plentiful. In chapter 10, he sends the twelve disciples into the harvest. We can draw lessons from Jesus commissioning of the twelve for our own ministries, but we must realize that the commission is set in a place and time so that it is not a one for one transfer. For instance, the disciples are told not to go to the Gentiles while we clearly have such a commission (cf. Matt. 28:16-20).
The main thing that we can learn from this account is that the gospel will be met with success and opposition in the form of division and persecution. Those who follow Jesus cannot expect to be treated better than him when they proclaim the good news (v. 24-25). In the face of divided families and hostility, there are reasons to hope though. First, since the response has been revealed we know what to expect (v.26-27). Second, the knowledge that persecutors can only hurt the body while the soul is unharmed helps us to face opposition with courage (v. 28). Third, because God knows what happens to us even when we feel forgotten and because his affirmation is greater than the affirmation of man we can have hope when we face suffering for the gospel (v. 29-33).
As we move from chapter 10 to 11, the narrative we again encounter John the Baptist. John is having some doubts about Jesus, and Jesus responds from the OT, particularly Is. 35:5-7 and 61:1 to help John see that he is the hoped for Messiah. Jesus then says something remarkable about John, and upon examination about Himself. Jesus says, “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” This statement is enigmatic because John is declared to be the greatest man who is alive, and immediately others are said to be greater than him. Upon further reflection, it makes sense though. Standing between John and the least in the kingdom of heaven is Jesus Christ. John is the greatest prophet because he actually came just before Jesus and saw him, but the least in the kingdom is greater because temporally they know more about Jesus than John. This statement presents a very high view of Jesus Christ.
As we proclaim the gospel in the weeks, months, and years ahead we will know success, but we will also know opposition. We can hope in the face of opposition though because we know Christ. As Good Friday and Easter approach, let us reflect on the privileges we have in knowing Christ and in knowing about his death, burial, resurrection, and ascension - all of which John the Baptist never knew during his lifetime.
~TWM