Tuesday, 17 March         Seeking the Messiah.       Matthew 11:20–30

In this remarkable passage, we see two completely different sides of Jesus. In vv20–24, there are stern judgements; in vv25–30, there is gentle invitation and compassionate empathy.

Please note, I did not say ‘opposite’ sides. I said, ‘different’. It is as not as though Jesus is conflicted, inconsistent, unable to be trusted for a response, like some cranky, irritable, unpredictable despot. That is the criticism so often thrown at the God of the Old Testament by ignorant critics. Jesus is God. He and the Father are One. What is true of the Old Testament God will be absolutely and equally true of Jesus. They are not different beings.

So now, perhaps the word ‘remarkable’ that I used above may be heard more clearly. This passage is deserving of remark, because we see clearly set out for us these two complementary aspects of God: the stern judge and the merciful redeemer-friend. But see the words at the beginning of v25: At that time… At which time? At the same time, or at least, immediately after, he has delivered his striking judgements. Jesus can exercise both characteristics at the same time. They are not opposite poles. They are the two sides of the same coin.

We had better pay close attention to this. Something is happening here that marks out the ending of this first Seeking the Messiah phase of the Behold! Your King is Coming! story.

First, Jesus rebukes the major population centres of Galilee. (He hasn’t yet been to Jerusalem – at least, not in Matthew’s Gospel.) Bethsaida, Korazin, Capernaum – in all of these he has performed miracles of healing and deliverance. He has preached that wisdom which has so attracted and entranced the common people. Yet, the cities (in our terms, they were probably not much more than villages, but we’ll use Matthew’s term) have not fallen on their collective knees and repented. 

There is a harshness and superiority of spiritual arrogance there. The religious leaders think they know better than Jesus what truth is. They believe that they do not need to hear his wisdom. This is always the simple definition of human rebellion against God: they think that their cleverness exceeds God’s wisdom. This might sound familiar in our 21st century age of rebellion against God. 

Jesus (God) has small patience with those who pit their intellectual skills against him. The beginning of wisdom is to recognise and revere God. It is wise to acknowledge that he is God, and I am not. Only after that confession, can we begin to talk. It is precisely this failure of the religious leaders to recognise that Jesus is the Messiah that initiates Jesus’ condemnation of them. 

Remember all those interactions with the religious leaders in the previous chapters, where they accused Jesus of being in league with the devil? These were the theologians, the church officials, the bishops and senior pastors to put it in our terms. If there is one group for whom Jesus left little wriggle room, it was those who should have known better.

They could read the scriptures in the original languages; they had been paid to study by the offerings of the faithful, they had leisure to study on the public purse while others had to work with their muscles to earn a living. They had close contact with the wisdom and traditions of the ages. God’s judgement on them when they reject his truth is severe and uncompromising.

But note carefully! Why was his judgement directed so clearly at them? Because they refused to recognise who he was! Behold! Your King is Coming! So, what should we do? Get ready to receive him. Seek him out. Worship him. This was what the expert religionists failed to do. 

If we have carried any of the Jesus is kind and gentle, welcoming everyone with open arms, not condemning anyone attitude, this would be a good place to dump it, right here, for ever. 

There is a prerequisite for the welcoming Jesus – and it is this: the recognition that he is God, I am not; that he is pure and holy, I am not; followed by the simple conclusion that I need to repent. Rebellious humanity rails at such humility, but there is no other way. Once we humble ourselves to come to Jesus, asking for his help – ah! Then there is a welcome way by which we can come back home:

Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (v28).

Jesus closes this section that we have identified in Matthew’s story, with the clearest indication yet that he really is the Messiah. 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 (v27).

The coming King has now clearly declared himself. He has pronounced a warning to all who refuse to bow the knee. He is the gentle Redeemer, but he is also the Judge of all the earth. His will is not capricious. He willingly accepts all who come to him in humble repentance. But he is the King. We must bend the knee. 

Our biggest human problem is not poverty, lack of education, political freedom, animal rights, or climate change. It is our arrogance and pride that refuses to accept that the world is not ours. We do not control it. We are here as vice-regents only. It is a noble position, to be sure, above that given to any animal or other creature. You come of the Lord Adam and the Lady Eve. And that is both honour enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on earth. Be content.

If we are correct in thinking that this comforting declaration closes this first section of the revelation of the Coming King, we might expect to see a change in tone or emphasis as we continue. We will see if that is so, tomorrow.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus Christ, I confess that I have not always been properly humble. Too often, I have ‘stood on my digs’. Too often, I have protested that my opinion was worth more than yours as revealed in scripture. Too often, I have refused to bend because I was so sure that I was right. I am sorry. Please forgive me. I long to live under your gentle authority. Amen.