King Jesus v. Man's Tradition

Matthew 15

Purpose: true disciples follow King Jesus and His Word, not man's tradition!

• True Disciples Never Invalidate the Word of God with Their Human Tradition!

Matthew 15:1 Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 "Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread." 3 And He answered and said to them, "Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 "For God said, "HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,' and, "HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH.' 5 "But you say, "Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God," 6 he is not to honor his father or his mother1.' And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 "You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you:

8       "THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS,

         BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.

9       "BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME,

         TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'"

10 After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said to them, "Hear and understand. 11 "It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man." 12 Then the disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?" 13 But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. 14 "Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit."

Matthew 15:15 Peter said to Him, "Explain the parable to us." 16 Jesus said, "Are you still lacking in understanding also? 17 "Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? 18 "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. 19 "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. 20 "These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man."

King Jesus confronts the Pharisees & Scribes about "tradition'

            King Jesus charges the accusers (echoed in v. 6)

Their error: they set aside the Word of God for the sake of their tradition (v. 3)

            King Jesus cites OT foundation (vv. 4-6)

            King Jesus declares they are fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy! (vv. 7-9)

                        FULFILLMENT of Isaiah 29:13

King Jesus teaches a parable about what comes from the heart (vv. 10-11)

King Jesus teaches the parable to the disciples (vv. 12-14 )

King Jesus explains the parable to the disciples (vv. 15-20)

• True Disciples Seek Jesus, No Matter Their Ethnicity!

Matthew 15:21 Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed." 23 But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, "Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us." 24 But He answered and said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 25 But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, "Lord, help me!" 26 And He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." 27 But she said, "Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." 28 Then Jesus said to her, "O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed at once.

            King Jesus Extends His Power to the Syrophoenician Woman, a Non-Israelite!

The woman implores the "Son of David" = Messianic! (vv. 21-22; see 2 Samuel 7)

            The disciples ask Jesus to send her away (vv. 23-24)

            The woman cries out all the more in great faith, Jesus heals her daughter (vv. 25-28)

• True Disciples Seek Jesus at Great Personal Cost!

Matthew 15:29 Departing from there, Jesus went along by the Sea of Galilee, and having gone up on the mountain, He was sitting there. 30 And large crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were lame, crippled, blind, mute, and many others, and they laid them down at His feet; and He healed them. 31 So the crowd marveled as they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, and the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.

Matthew 15:32 And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, "I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way." 33 The disciples said to Him, "Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd?" 34 And Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven, and a few small fish." 35 And He directed the people to sit down on the ground; 36 and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 37 And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, seven large baskets full. 38 And those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 And sending away the crowds, Jesus got into the boat and came to the region of Magadan.

The God of Israel is glorified! Covenant ramifications! (vv. 29-31)

This is how Jesus gathered them for the miracle of the multiplication!

King Jesus miraculously feeds 4,000 men plus women and children (vv. 32-39)

Conclusion:

Do you see the difference between the true people of God and the false ones here?

Do you see who the true disciples are, and who the false followers of God are?

Are you a true disciple?

King Jesus Is The Son of God

Matthew 13:53 "“ 14:36

Purpose: to worship Jesus the King, because He is the Son of God!

• King Jesus Teaches and Heals in His Hometown

Matthew 13:53 When Jesus had finished these parables, He departed from there. 54 He came to His hometown and began teaching them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? 55 "Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 "And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" 57 And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household." 58 And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.

         Again, Mary had other children, the brothers and sisters of Jesus

         The Miracles of King Jesus point to His Holiness and Power as God

         The unbelief of the people is their unbelief in God, were they religious atheists?

• The Holy Power of King Jesus Recognized

Matthew 14:1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, 2 and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him." 3 For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. 4 For John had been saying to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." 5 Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet. 14:6 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced 1before them and pleased Herod, 7 so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Having been prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." 9 Although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of 1his dinner guests. 10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 His disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus.

            Herod fears that Jesus is John the Baptist resurrected: The death of John

            Herod witnesses to the fact that Jesus has miraculous powers (v. 2)

• King Jesus Miraculously feeds 5,000

Matthew 14:13 Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the people heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14 When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick. 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, "This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." 16 But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!" 17 They said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish." 18 And He said, "Bring them here to Me." 19 Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, 20 and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets. 21 There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.

            King Jesus fed 5,000 men plus women and children with 5 loaves and 2 fish

• King Jesus, Son of God, Walks on the Sea of Galilee

Matthew 14:22 Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." 14:28 Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 29 And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "You are certainly God's Son!" 34 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick; 36 and they implored Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were cured.

            Jesus sets up the miracle (vv. 22-25)

            Jesus encounters His disciples at Sea (vv. 26-27)

            Jesus and Peter on the water (vv. 28-32)

            The disciples in the boat confess Jesus as God's Son!! (v. 33)

            Jesus heals at Gennesaret, on the other side (vv. 34-36)

            What would Jesus say about your faith?

            The Holy Power of the King's Miracles Also Reveal that He is the Son of God!

            Do you worship Jesus, the King, the Son of God?

            Those who disrespect Jesus (His own hometown, Herod) are not true disciples.

True disciples (those in the boat) know Who Jesus is and worship Him!

Pictures Drawn By King Jesus [Part II]

Matthew 13:24-52 (NASB)

Purpose: to become true disciples by understanding the parables of King Jesus

• King Jesus Tells the Parable of the Tares & Wheat

Matthew 13:24 Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 "But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away. 26 "But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also. 27 "The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, "Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' 28 "And he said to them, "An enemy has done this!' The slaves said to him, "Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?' 29 "But he said, "No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 "Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn."'"

• King Jesus EXPLAINS the Tares & Wheat: Kingdom Integrity

Matthew 13:36 Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field." 37 And He said, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, 38 and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. 40 "So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. 41 "The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, 42 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 "Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear."

            The "characters"

Sower             =          Son of Man = Jesus (See 13:1-23 Jesus is the Sower)

                        Field               =          world

                        Good Seed      =          sons of the kingdom 

                        Tares              =          sons of the evil one

                        Enemy            =          devil

                        Harvest          =          end of the age

                        Reapers          =          angels

            FULFILLMENT of Daniel 12:3

• King Jesus Tells the Parable of the Mustard Seed: Kingdom Invitation

Matthew 13:31  He presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; 32 and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR come and NEST IN ITS BRANCHES."

FULFILLMENT of Ezekiel 17:23, 31:6; Psalm 104:12; Daniel 4:12

• King Jesus Tells the Parable of the Leaven: Kingdom Influence

Matthew 13:33 He spoke another parable to them, "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened."

The Kingdom is to spread throughout the whole "dough"

• Why King Jesus Spoke in Parables: Kingdom Intransience

Matt. 13:34 All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak to them without a parable. 35 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

"I WILL OPEN MY MOUTH IN PARABLES;

I WILL UTTER THINGS HIDDEN SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD."  FULFILLMENT of Psalm 78:2                    

• King Jesus Tells the Parable of the Hidden Treasure & Pearl: Kingdom Indulgence

Matthew 13:44 "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."

45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46 and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it."

• King Jesus Tells the Parable of the Dragnet: Kingdom Ingathering

Matthew 13:47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; 48 and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. 49 "So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, 50 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The parable itself (vv. 47-48)

            The parable explained (vv. 49-50)

• Are You a Disciple of the Kingdom?: Kingdom Instruments

Matthew 13: 51 "Have you understood all these things?" They said to Him, "Yes." 52 And Jesus said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old."

            A disciple of the kingdom of heaven = treasure bringer!

Pictures Drawn By King Jesus

Matthew 13:1-23

Purpose: understanding the Kingdom of Jesus through His parables, to become a true disciple!

• King Jesus Teaches The Parable of the Sower & Four Soils

Matthew 13:1 That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea. 2 And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach. 3 And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, "Behold, the sower went out to sow; 4 and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 "Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. 6 "But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 "Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. 8 "And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. 9 "He who has ears, let him hear."

• Why King Jesus Uses Parables

Matt. 13:10   And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" 11 Jesus answered them, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. 12 "For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. 13 "Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 "In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says,

         "YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND;

         YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;

15     FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL,

         WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR,

         AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES,

         OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES,

         HEAR WITH THEIR EARS,

         AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN,

         AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.'

16 "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 "For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

            Both to reveal and to conceal (vv. 11-13, 16-17)

            FULFILLMENT of Isaiah 6:9-10, see also John 12:38-41 & Acts 28:26

• The Kingdom of Jesus is Like the Sower & Four Soils

Matthew 13:18 "Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. 20 "The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 "And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 23 "And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty." 

Jesus, King of the Sabbath

Matthew 12 (NASB)

Purpose: to worship Jesus who is Greater than the Temple

• King Jesus is Greater than the Temple and Lord of the Sabbath

Matthew 12:1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, "Look, Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath." 3 But He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions, 4 how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone? 5 "Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent? 6 "But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here. 7 "But if you had known what this means, "I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,' you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

            Jesus is greater than the temple!

            Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath!

            FULFILLMENT of Hosea 6:6

• King Jesus Has Compassion, Healing a Man on the Sabbath

Matthew 12:9 Departing from there, He went into their synagogue. 10 And a man was there whose hand was withered. And they questioned Jesus, asking, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" "” so that they might accuse Him. 11 And He said to them, "What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 "How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." 13 Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand!" He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him. 15 But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. Many followed Him, and He healed them all, 16 and warned them not to tell who He was. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet:

18     "BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN;

         MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL is WELL-PLEASED;

         I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM,

         AND HE SHALL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES.

19     "HE WILL NOT QUARREL, NOR CRY OUT;

         NOR WILL ANYONE HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.

20     "A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF,

         AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT PUT OUT,

         UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY.

21     "AND IN HIS NAME THE GENTILES WILL HOPE."

            FULFILLMENT of Isaiah 42:1-3

            Jesus is the Hope of the Gentiles!

            True Compassion is not about Pharisaical Rules, but Saving the Nations!

• In Jesus, The Kingdom of God has Come Upon You!

Matthew 12:22 Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed him, so that the mute man spoke and saw. 23 All the crowds were amazed, and were saying, "This man cannot be the Son of David, can he?" 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons."

25 And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 "If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? 27 "If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges. 28 "But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 "Or how can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30 "He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters. 31 "Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. 32 "Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

33 "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 "You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35 "The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. 36 "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. 37 "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

            Teaching about "a house divided against itself" answering the Pharisees (vv. 22-30) 

            Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit not forgiven (vv. 31-32) 

            From the heart the mouth speaks, a tree is known by its fruit (vv. 33-37) 

            The Kingdom of God has come in Christ, i.e., it is not future only

• King Jesus is Greater than Solomon, and the Sign of Jonah

Matthew 12:38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You." 39 But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; 40 for just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 "The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42 "The Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

43 "Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it. 44 "Then it says, "I will return to my house from which I came'; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. 45 "Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation."

            FULFILLMENT of Jonah 1:17

            Like one inhabited by more evil spirits, an evil generation seeks signs (vv. 43-45)

            The error of this generation = they did not repent! (vv. 41-42)

• King Jesus and His Family

Matthew 12:46 While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. 47 Someone said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You." 48 But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" 49 And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Behold My mother and My brothers! 50 "For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother."

"Whoever does the will of My Father" is "My brother and sister and mother"

See Matthew 28:18-20

Note: The context necessitates that the first set of family described is the earthly family of Jesus, His blood relatives, in order to distinguish them from those who do the Father's will. Therefore, any teaching that Jesus had no earthly family because Mary is a "perpetual virgin" is proven incorrect by this text.

Scripture Fulfilled Even In Those Who Oppose King Jesus

Matthew 11

Theme: To see the Sovereignty of God fulfilled even in those who oppose Jesus the King

• King Jesus and Elijah!

Matthew 11:1 When Jesus had finished 1giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He departed from there to teach and preach in their cities. 2 Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to Him, "Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?" 4 Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. 6 "And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me."

Matthew 11:7 As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 "But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings' palaces! 9 "But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. 10 "This is the one about whom it 1is written,

         "BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU,

         WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.'

11 "Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. 13 "For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 "And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come. 15 "He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Matthew 11:16 "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 collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds."

• 1-6 John the Baptist's disciples question Jesus

                        FULFILLMENT of Isaiah 35:5; Is. 61:1

• 7-19 Jesus teaches about John the Baptist

                        FULFILLMENT of Malachi 3:1

                        FULFILLMENT of "all the prophets and the Law" v. 13

                        FULFILLMENT of Malachi 4:5, the Elijah to come

• God's Purpose for the Miracles of King Jesus? Repentance!

Matthew 11:20 Then He began to denounce 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 will 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 will 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 will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you."

            "Woe" to Chorazin, Bethsaida, & Capernaum as compared to OT cities

• 20 "because they did not repent"

            i.e., the wickedness and hard-heartedness is worse during Jesus' time

                        than during the OT times of the cities mentioned! 

• King Jesus Prays to the Father and Invites the Weary

Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. 26 "Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. 27 "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 "For My yoke is 1easy and My burden is light."

King Jesus prays and praises the Father that He has hidden "these things"

            = fulfillments and judgments = hidden from the wise but revealed to "infants"

• 27-30 Eternal truth of election with an open invitation.
• 27 "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and

no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him."

            Jesus says, "come to Me. . .", "take My yoke . . .", "learn from Me"

                        FULFILLMENT of Jeremiah 6:16

            Do you answer the invitation of Jesus? Or do you oppose Him?

King Jesus Chooses His Apostles

Matthew 10

Purpose: To follow Jesus means we witness without fear and persevere when persecuted.

• King Jesus Calls the Twelve

Matthew 10:1 Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him.

Jesus summons the 12 Apostles from the other disciples

Jesus commissions them to go to the lost sheep of Israel

Jesus prepares the apostles for their mission!

• King Jesus Prepares the Twelve Physically

Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: "Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; 6 but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 "And as you go, preach, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. 9 "Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, 10 or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support. 11 "And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. 12 "As you enter the house, give it your greeting. 13 "If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. 14 "Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. 15 "Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.

            Preach, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand"! Now, in Jesus Christ!

            Trust God to provide for your mission, He sent you, He will take care of you

The testimony to Israel, comparing to Sodom and Gomorrah, prepare for the King!

• King Jesus Prepares the Twelve Spiritually

Matthew 10:16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 "But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; 18 and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 "But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. 20 "For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. 21 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 "You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. 23 "But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.

Sheep to wolves; be wise serpents and innocent doves

            Do not worry, the Spirit will give you your testimony

            Persevere, keep proclaiming the Kingdom of Jesus, keep on going!

• King Jesus Explains True Discipleship

Matthew 10:24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. 25 "It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household! 26 "Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 "What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. 28 "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 "So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. 32 "Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. 34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 "For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; 36 and A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD. 37 "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 "He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.

True Discipleship is:

To follow Jesus without fear

To confesses Jesus before men

To take up your cross being willing to be persecuted like Jesus was

Goes into the public realm expecting persecution

Loves Jesus first in witness, life, and family

• 35-36 FULFILLMENT of Micah 7:6

Trusts God, as with the sparrows, that our hairs are numbered, so GO!

• Will You Receive the Message of King Jesus?

Matthew10:40 "He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41 "He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42 "And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward."

Jesus encourages true reward in the work for the workers and the "receivers"

This is all tremendous empowerment to proclaim the kingdom of God in Christ along with warning and teaching about persecution; the King's encouragement to persevere!

Christmas Hope!

Purpose:  To show us that the only sure hope we have in this life is in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

• We Hope in Jesus Because Angels Worshipped Him!

Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 2:8-14

• We Hope in Jesus Because Kings Worshipped Him!

Matthew 2:1-12

Psalm 2:1-12

Phil. 2:9-11 Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (NASB)

• We Hope in Jesus Because Shepherds Worshipped Him!

Luke 2:15-20

 "A man should not teach his son to be . . . a herdsman . . . for their craft is the craft of

robbers." (Mishnah: Kiddushin 4:14)

See Luke 4:18 quoting Isaiah 61

• We Hope in Jesus Because He is the Hope of the Nations!

Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD said to Abram,

         "Go forth from your country,

         And from your relatives

         And from your father's house,

         To the land which I will show you;

2       And I will make you a great nation,

         And I will bless you,

         And make your name great;

         And so you shall be a blessing;

3       And I will bless those who bless you,

         And the one who curses you I will curse.

         And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."

Genesis 15:5 And He took him outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."

Romans 4:18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become aa father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, "SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE."

Galatians 3:8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU."

Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation."

Revelation 7:9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10 and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."

A Christmas Poem by Christopher Smart:

Where is this stupendous stranger?                O the magnitude of weakness,

Prophets, shepherds, kings, advise;                If eternal is so young.

Lead me to my Master's manger,                   God all-bounteous, all creative,

Show me where my Savior lies.                     Whom no ills from good dissuade,

                                                                        Is incarnate, and a native

O most mighty, O most holy,                         Of the very world He made.

Far beyond the seraph's thought,

Art thou then so mean and lowly

As unheeded prophets taught?