Point Of Hope - Issue26 - February 2016 February 2016 | Page 26

Jesus Responds t o t he Messengers
Matthew 11:11-19
?Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater
than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers
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 receive it, he is Elijah who is to
come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
16 ?But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the
marketplaces and calling to their companions, 17 and saying: ?We played the flute
for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not lament.?
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, a glutton and a winebibber,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners!?But wisdom is justified by her children.?
Jesus wanted the people of Israel to have a
responsive heart towards Him. The Prophets
had spoken of His coming and all He would
bring. However, the people of Israel resisted
Jesus. Jesus brought forth change and some
were not willing to follow Him.
?To what can I compare this generation? They
are like children sitting in the marketplaces and
calling out to others: We played the flute for
you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge,
and you did not mourn.? Jesus had
condemned the attitude of His generation. No
matter what He did, they were skeptical and
cynical. Isn?t this the same attitude in our
generation today? We see the works of God
being performed in lives, and yet many
question His ability, compassion and authority.
Just as Jesus challenged the people about
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Point of Hope Magazine

their comfortable, secure and self-centered
lives, He does the same with us. We can no
longer make justifications for our behavior.
Nor can we validate our inconsistent living.
When our attitude and actions reflect these
things, we are resisting God and the change He
desires to bring about within our lives.
Jesus stated ?He who has ears, let him hear.?
The word ?hear? does not mean to hear as with
our ears but to comprehend or understand. In
other words, it isn?t enough to just listen to
Jesus, but He wants us to understand His
teachings and apply them to our lives. Are you
resisting God? Are there behaviors you are
justifying because you don?t want to change?
If so, ask God for His grace to help you get into
alignment with His will.