Daily Reading: Matthew 11&12
Matthew 11:1 “And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.”
So…was he done with the instruction part of discipling the twelve? Were they now going out to start their internships? Matthew also says that he went to teach and preach in their cities. Whose cities? The cities the disciples came from; or the cities of all the people who were listening to him? I assume it’s the disciple’s cities. I wish I could understand this better. I know that God will reveal His Word as He needs us to understand it. I’m wondering though if it wouldn’t be beneficial to take a Bible class somewhere. I’d like to know more.
I love verses 7-9 “And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? (8) But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. (9) But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.”
He just jokes with the people and is so effective here as a speaker. I can hear the people laughing between the questions and while they are being somewhat entertained He is causing them to really question their curiosity. He made them comfortable with admitting their questions and waiting for His answer. He set them up to laugh at themselves and to think for themselves and then to think like Him. It was like He was saying…we’re all friends here…lets be honest with ourselves. We were curious, so we went to see the crazy guy preaching by the river. When we got there…we found ourselves convicted by a prophet…but it was more than that. He was softening our hearts…but why? So that we could accept this man who is least in the kingdom, this man who is greater than Jonah (12:41), greater than Solomon (12:42) and accepting of anyone willing to do the will of His Father as a brother (12:50). What a confusing man this must have been to those who heard Him speak.
I find myself trying so hard to understand even now, what he meant by each phrase he spoke. I love this guy!