Stepping back for perspective...

15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known.17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
    my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
    and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
    nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
20 a bruised reed he will not break,
    and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;  and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

(Matthew 12)

Jesus was getting quite a following.  Many were tired of "dead religion" with all its rules, regulations and ruts.  But Jesus did not want simply popularity of those who would "like" Him.  He avoided the limelight as much as possible, staying out of the streets and on the hillsides. He kept perspective.  So did Matthew. In the midst of presenting Jesus as the Messianic King, he two times reminds himself, his readers, and us, that Jesus came to bring Gentiles, those outside of historic Israel, forgiveness, hope and justice.  Let us be reminded that Jesus does not just love me and mine, but all the peoples of the earth, and that as we share our relationship with Him with others, we may find that He joins us to people whom we consider "not like us", more than He does those we see as our own.  Following Jesus isn't meant to be popular, just life-changing.

"Doing Good" on the Sabbath...

9 He went on from there and entered their synagogue. 10 And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse him. 11 He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. (Matthew 12)
Jesus had just dealt with the Pharisees on the question of the Sabbath, but then it had to do with His disciples gleaning grain - interpreted as "doing work" - which one could view as selfish.  Jesus takes it a step further - what about "doing work" to meet someone else's need?  He makes it really hard are them, because He does not "do" anything. He simply says: "stretch out your hand." No laying on of hands, spitting, prying out his fingers, or any other "work." He simple speaks, which of course is all He needs to do as the Word of God.  Yet it was enough to raise the ire of the Pharisees to plot to get rid of him. Rather than rant and rave about what they did, however, let us stop and think about the other side of the coin.  What good do we do on the Sabbath for others?  Do we go out of our way to see, even find, someone in need and do something for them, even say something to encourage them? Or are we living selfishly on the day that celebrates God's creativity, ignoring the needs of his highest creation - others made in the image of God.  What good can you do?  

Who Created Whom for What?

At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” 3 He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? 6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12)
We humans have an interesting tendency toward God: we want to create Him in our own image; we want to impose upon Him limitations and characteristics that fit into our plans for our lives.  Jesus faced that head on in dealing with the self-righteous religionists of His day.  They wanted to look religious by looking grumpy, by making God out to be an ogre we can appease by our good works.  God is not looking for grumps (except to change them...) and He does not make His laws to make us miserable.  His laws come out of His character. He made the laws of the sabbath to reflect His creativity, including the fact that He made all things good for us to enjoy.  His "restrictions" on Sabbath working are not to make our lives more difficult or painful, but so we will appreciate Him, His creation, and our relationship with Him to the full.  So let's not make any "rules" which get in the way of a great day; let us enjoy Him and what He has made. 

God's Gracious Will...

25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11)
Jesus came, He healed, He taught He loved.  Yet many did not get it. Those who should have responded most quickly and whole-heartedly often just walked away.  It had to be discouraging to come offering salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life, yet be rejected.  But Jesus turns to the Father with thanksgiving and a realization that God's plan is being fulfilled.  He then makes this announcement, inviting us to come to Him.  It is not easy street; there is a yoke. But He shares it and bears the bulk of the load.  He will not drag us at a speed we cannot keep up to.  He makes life bearable, yes, desireable.  In short, He offers us God's gracious way, and the grace we need for real life.  No jamming it down our throats, just a reassurance that it is the right way to go. It is a compelling invitation we ought not ignore. Come, take, find, live.

The What and Why of the Woe...

20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.” (Matthew 11)
When we see these sharp-cutting statements of Jesus, it's like he aimed a shotgun of words at each of these Jewish areas and let loose in anger and vengence, and there is that sense of stern warning He is giving: refusal to repent is a serious matter.  God's mercy and offer of forgiveness is not to be ignored!  But there is more than what these words say; there is the why. The word "woe" also carries with it a sorrow, a brokenness over sin.  Jesus is just as sad as He is mad at the lack of repentance in light of God's grace.  He is not taking pleasure in "telling them off"; He is weeping as He warns.  What a terrible, terrible thing to be offered such good news and reject it! Opportunity squandered. Grace rejected.  Judgment pronounced.  As we share and live the Gospel, may we have hearts like Jesus: sharing and caring that people receive what God is offering them. May we not develop hard hearts like those who refuse Him. 

What's the Song in Your Heart?

16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

17 “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
    we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” (Matthew 11)

I love music.  Christianity is a "singing religion."  But music can also reveal some of the darker sides of life and what lies within us.  Just as our society is very much "entertained to death", it is inundated with conflicting songs. There is music of lust, rebellion, sensuality and materialism working its way into the cracks of our brains and crevices of our hearts every second.  Sometimes the music is so overwhelming we cannnot and do not think or discern. But most of all, what music comes out of our hearts and mouths, and why?  The "music" that was heard in Jesus' day was often extreme: John was too tame and a "party-pooper", while Jesus was too wild and free.  The fact is we need some somber refective tones like John offered, as well as responsive songs of rejoicing that the Messiah should bring when we encounter Him.  Some people are never satisfied.  In Jesus' day they did not want to sing either song.  What kind of song is in your heart and mind this morning?  Are you responding to Him? Making up your own music ignoring Him?  So caught up in the "sounds of today" you cannot hear His Words or tune?  Is it time to switch the channel???

Eyes to See, Ears to Hear...

 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,

“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
    who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

(Matthew 11)

Everyone should have been watching, and waiting, and listening. The prophets had been telling about A prophet who was to come - another prophet to prepare the way for the Messiah.  John looked like a prophet, sounded like a prophet, smelled like a prophet, yet most did not take him seriously - they did not look on him as authoritative or listen to him with open eyes and ears.  They treated him as they had most prophets, taking his challenge to repent lightly.  They did the same with Jesus.  It was, and still is, a matter of having eyes to see and ears to hear what God has to say - through His prophets, and especially His Son.  Today, may we have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to respond. 

Not So Easily Offended...

2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” (Matthew 11)
We live in an age where people are most easily offended.  If someone looks at, speaks to, or talks about them, or anything that remotely affects them, and what is said or done causes the least bit of hurt, anger, or conviction, the "offender" is deemed to be a "problem" to be punished or banned.  Jesus was in effect "replacing" John the Baptist on the spiritual scene; John was about to "lose his job" of pointing to the Messiah.  If anyone had reason to be "offended", it was him; he was not.  He was blessed, because he had been able to see where he "fit in" with the plan of God, and He had seen the Messiah come in his time.  We can be blessed as well, if we are willing to not be offended when Jesus calls us sinners needing a Savior, selfish people who need to submit to God's way, and sheep who are willing to come through the one and only Door - Him. Another great "offense" in our day is the thought that "in Christ alone" we can be saved.  Such "narrow gate" thinking draws the ire of self-righteous people.  How about you?   Are you offended by Jesus, or saved by Him? 

What's in it for me?

40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. 42 And 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.” (Matthew 10)
Why? Why should i follow Jesus? Why should I endure persecution and suffering for my faith? At the end of the road, what's in it for me?  We do have this tendency toward selfishness and self-fulfillment.  What Jesus is talking about here is a receptive trust - not some fanciful gullibility, but a trust in Him as God's messenger, a trust in His prophets as they proclaim repentence and truth, and a trust in those who are right with God. This opennesss of heart is also seen in our looking out and seeing others in need and doing something about them. The rewards here are appropriate. As we look at the prophets of the Old Testament, when widows or others trusted them, they received what they needed - food, sons raised to life, etc.  When one receives a "righteous" person, you can be sure they will treat you right.  And when one receives Christ, trusts in Him as Savior, and allows Him to come in and change his/her life, the result will be God's Glory - His working out His perfect plan in our lives.  Are you willing to trust Him?

Priorities in Persecution

34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10)
Pulled out of context, if one did not know who was speaking, this would seem very untypical of Jesus.  They sound like fightin' words.  Especially when elsewhere His mission is referred to as bringing peace. Context is everything. He has been talking about the persecution to be expected when one truly follows after Him; if they persecuted Him, they will persecute His followers.  Sometimes such persecution comes from where we least expect it: those we love, whom we would hope would support us.  Christ demands and deserves to be first. When one's family gets in the way, it is a hard choice to make, a cross to bear, a sacrifice to make.  In the first century, and throughout history to this date, many who have chosen to follow Jesus have faced unthinkable treatment at the hands of their own families: being shunned, beaten, considered dead, and literally made dead.  It seems unimaginable to many of us with our "freedoms," but it is very real.  For us, we need to be thankful, pray for those who are being persecuted, and examine our lives for how easily anything and everything, and even anyone and everyone, comes before Him in our lives. May conviction be a piercing sword in us. 

Misplaced Fear

26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And 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. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10)
We often go through life fearing those things which will never happen, and if they do, which are not the great threat we thought them to be.  We live in the land of abundance, yet many fear they will go without what they need. We live in a land of freedom, yet many fear they will lose freedom of speech, religion, or many lesser choices we are allowed.  We live in fear of public opinion instead of the opinion of God.  In fear we hide. We hide what we think, what we believe, and even what we really are.  "Perfect love casts out all fear." Christ does that. When we really trust in Him, all these fears that drive us are dispelled. May we live today in the open as His followers, not afraid of life, opposition or harsdhip. May we only fear that we will miss out on the great life He has for us today and forever. 

Expecting Pushback

16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so bewise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israelbefore the Son of Man comes. 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. (Matthew 10)

The picture we get of these closest followers of Christ was that they readily left all and followed Him - that early on, they saw Him, heard Him, and trusted Him enough to sign on and stay on.  Along the journey they saw crowds come to Him - even come from far and wide to hear and see Him - but eventually the crowds died down.  They hecklers were always there, because Jesus challenged their authority, and their sin.  If they did it to Him - the One with all the answers and all the authority of God, then be sure they will do to all who seriously follow after Him.  Our calling is simple: remain true to the message and the lifestyle He has laid out before us.  Do not retaliate; do not react; do not fear. God will take us where He wants us, give us the words to speak, and grant us the grace to endure whatever may come our way.  Be Bold.