SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 12/9/2021 10:41 AM
My Worship Time Focus:
Introduction to Matt. 11:16-24
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: Matt.
11:16-24
Message of the verses: 16 “But to what
shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market
places, who call out to the other children, 17 and say, ‘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, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man
and a drunkard, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is
vindicated by her deeds." 20 Then He began to reproach the cities in which
most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin!
Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which
occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 “Nevertheless
I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day
of judgment, than for you. 23 “And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to
heaven, will you? You shall descend to Hades; for if the miracles had occurred
in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day. 24 "Nevertheless
I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the
Day of Judgment, than for you.’”
Since the introduction to this section from John
MacArthur’s commentary is very short I will just quote it. He entitles this section “Responding to
Christ with Criticism or Indifference.”
“Jesus’
words in verse 15 were a warning to the people to take seriously what He had just
said about responding to John the Baptist:
‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear.’
A fundamental teaching of Scripture is that God’s truth demands
response.
“In
the present passage Jesus continues to deal with various responses of men to
Himself. John’s questing had reflected
honest doubt. For the various reasons
already discussed, he came to have some misgivings; but his primary attitude
was no doubt but faith, because even when doubts came he looked to Jesus to
resolve them.
“Now
Jesus mentions two negative responses—criticism and indifference—which were
much more serious than John’s, because they reflect basic rejection of
Christ. As is John’s case, honest doubt
can come even to a believer. But the
criticism and indifference Jesus mentions here came from unbelief.”
The
two main section in what we will be looking at as we go through these verses is
1) “The Response of Criticism,” (verses 16-19) and 2) “The Response of Unbelieving
Indifference” (verses 20-24).
Spiritual meaning for my life today: In looking at these verses I look
forward into what the Lord has for me to learn as in these verses I see some very
strong words coming from the lips of Jesus.
My Steps of Faith for Today: Continue to
trust the Lord to be able to teach the truth in our Bible Study tomorrow, and
then also in my Sunday school class Sunday as we are in a most difficult
section of Hebrews chapter six.
12/9/2021 11:00 AM
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