Grace Community Church Ramona Podcast

They were the evidence given when John the Baptizer doubted. They forced the Pharisees to accept or reject his claims. So, how would his "home crowd" respond? How will Herod, who has only heard of him, respond?

Jesus has been rejected by the nation of Israel. His offer of the Messianic Kingdom has been withdrawn from that generation. Through the following parables Jesus reveals the nature of the interim Kingdom. He is preparing His disciples for their role in interim Kingdom.

The sign of Jonah is the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth after three days in the grave! The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate sign and proof that Jesus is the promised Messiah-King. But as Matthew will report, even the ultimate sign of the resurrection of Jesus will be rejected by the scribes and Pharisees.

Matthew interprets Jesus’ withdrawal as the fulfillment of Isaiah 42:1-4 which emphasizes that Messiah’s ministry will be Holy Spirit empowered, non-combative, expanded to include Gentiles and ultimately successful.

Jesus shifts from persuading the nation to liberating individuals from the bondage of Pharisaical Judaism in order that they may truly know God and experience His life of soul-rest (11:27-30).

The campaign may have taken well over a year as the goal was to reach every town and village in all Israel. The Pharisees have begun a counter-campaign likely utilizing the network of synagogues to spread their lie. The lie: Jesus is empowered by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, not the Holy Spirit of Yahweh.

Everything between 10:5 through 11:1 pertains to this Big Push to evangelize all the towns and villages of Israel. It is likely this campaign lasted many months or more, possibly a year. Jesus will go to those towns/villages the disciples discover are favorable to Him.

To repent means "to change one’s mind". About what does Jesus call the Jews to repent? Jesus calls His fellow Jews to change their minds about whom they are following. He calls them to follow the new wine of His teachings and to turn away from the old wine of the scribes and Pharisees.

Jesus calls His fellow Jews to change their minds about whom they are following. He calls them to follow the new wine of His teachings and to turn away from the old wine of the scribes and Pharisees.

Jesus proved He has authority to forgive a person’s sins. Sin includes all the ways we fail to love and honor God, our fellow man and all the ways we violate God’s revealed will. Our sin separates us from God. Forgiveness of our sins restores us to God. Do you need forgiveness?

Scribes were highly educated, highly trained in reading, writing, record keeping and in copying the Scriptures. They were considered experts in the Law (Torah). The scribe expressed his desire to join Jesus on this trip across the Lake.

Beware of false prophets. They won't represent themselves truthfully, but you can recognize them by the fruit of their lives and you can't fake fruit.

Critical judgment and prideful correction tear down. Persistent prayer for wisdom and humility builds up.

Work for the Kingdom of God and seek His righteousness, and He will take care of your future.

Be careful not to do good things just to get attention. If you do them so people will notice you, the only reward you’ll get is their praise. There won’t be a reward from God.

God sets the incredible example for us in loving His enemies, not only by giving them life and provision, but ultimately by sending Jesus, who would give his very life as a gift for his enemies.

Jesus teaches that God’s will is for a man to be faithful to his wife both physically and mentally; God’s will is for a man to be faithful to his wife in body and soul. This is the true righteousness of Jesus that continues to be true to this day. All of us married men should be striving for this quality of faithfulness with our wives.

The repentance required of the Jewish people was to embrace Jesus as their Messiah and spiritual teacher and break away from the teaching and example of spiritual externalism modeled by the scribes and Pharisees.

Externalism: The belief that what was required by the law was adherence to outward behaviors and rituals rather than inward righteousness.