Mat. 11:1 – 3
John knew who Jesus was but he questioned him.
4, 5
Jesus is quoting the Prophet Isaiah. Tell John what you see.
v. 6 – Blessed is he who is not offended by me….
They thought Jesus was going to set up an earthly kingdom. If you’re the Messiah when are you going to kick Herod out of here. Why am I in prison.
Is. 8:14 – Another prophecy of Messiah. He will be as a sanctuary (holy abode) and stone of stumbling and rock of offense….
This was part of the prophecy also.
Are you offended at Jesus? Does the Jesus of the bible offend you? John may have been a little offended because Jesus was supposed to set up an earthly kingdom, so he was offended that Jesus was going to fulfill these scriptures.
The church today is offended at the Jesus of the bible. They worship a Jesus but it’s not the Jesus of the bible. He’s a stumbling stone to people who claim to be Christians today.
Dominionists - They want earthly power here and now. Prosperty bunch don’t want to hear about forsaking all.
Do you want him to establish an earthly kingdom through you with your earthly talent?
Jesus said you have to lay down everything. Unless he forsake all that he has he cannot be my disciple. Do you want an earthly kingdom that allows us to heap up riches here and now?
Blessed is he that is not offended by me. John was in prison. Jesus was out doing the work for which his Father sent him. You have to serve him for who he is.
Mat. 11:7 parallel Luke 7 – lived delicately in king’s clothes.
Is that what John was?
v.12 – if you were drowning you would fight with all that is in you to survive.
Amplified Bible: Matthew 11:12 – And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize – a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion].
Jesus is saying that those who take the kingdom need to be like that when it comes to apprehending and walking in the kingdom of God. The violent take it by force (harpazo) used in 1 Thes. 4:17 – that’s the rapture word. Caught up together in the clouds. Snatch up, to take, to grab up. Mat. 13:19 – parable of the sower – the enemy comes and catches away. Jn. 6:15 take him by force and make him king. Acts. 8:39 Philip was caught up by the Lord.
Getting your prayers answered. Be persistent. Take hold in the spirit with everything that you have. Get a word from the Lord on how you’re supposed to pray. You have to be unwilling to let go of it.
Mat. 20:29 – Walking where God’s will rules and reigns. Well meaning people are going to try to stop you. That’s taking hold of the kingdom with violence.
Mat. 15:21 – She persisted. She had great faith.
More examples in Mark 9:14 –
Luke 11:5 – Persistence.
Acts 4:13 – The kingdom was suffering violence and they took hold of the kingdom by force. They refused to turn loose the kingdom of God. They were persistent and God answered their prayer.
2 comments:
Good for people to know.
God bless you, Perdy. Your comment was an encouragement to me to know that somebody is reading the posts and being blessed by them.
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