How to Live in this Troubled World

 

Matthew 11:1-30

Jesus and John the Baptist

This is a Troubled World Yet with Blessing from God (vv 1-15)

Matthew 11 begins by telling us about the story of John the Baptist. John the Baptist was the forerunner of the Lord, who pathed the way for Him. He used to proclaim that the Lord Jesus was the Lamb of God, and He baptized Jesus in the water. However, he was then unsure of whether Jesus was the coming Christ, and hence, he sent someone to ask Jesus about it.

At that time, John was imprisoned by King Herod, because he had openly rebuked Herod and his sister-in-law about their unlawful marriage. Given that John was imprisoned for a long time, he began to doubt Jesus’ identity as the coming Messiah.

Jesus replied to John and said that He healed the blind, the lame and the deaf, and healed lepers from their leprosy. He raised the dead and preached the good news of God’s favor to the poor. All these miracles were done under the anointing of the Holy Spirit which testified Jesus as the Messiah.

Jesus did not feel offended by John’s confrontation. He did not accuse John for being weak, backsliding, and stumbling along his spiritual journey. Jesus understood and sympathized with John. He understood that John was imprisoned, and was not in his good mood, and hence he became doubtful.

Instead, Jesus praised John, and referred to him as prophet Elijah of the day. It was because John played the role of prophet Elijah, that he resisted the evil boldly and directed people to God.

Jesus also said that there was no one who was better than John in accomplishing the missions of God. However, in the coming Kingdom of God, all others shall receive more spiritual inheritance than John, as they have seen and known Christ and trust in His finished work on the Cross.

Today, the grace that we have received from Jesus is beyond what John have received, and we are indeed the blessed ones! Since we are so blessed as children of the Heavenly Kingdom, our lives should reflect the identity of the Heavenly people. In that, we should live out our lives full of courage, unwavering faith, determination and perseverance, for hardship and persecution shall follow all followers of Jesus.

This is a Troubled World with Indifference and Cynicism (vv16-19)

Jesus gave John a good compliment, but He made charges against this age, and said, “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.” (v 16-17）

People blow pipe when there are happy events at home, like when a bridegroom fetches his bride, a birthday celebration, a full-moon celebration of a child, or an unemployed person finds a job, etc. When someone’s relatives and friends all gather together and rejoice in celebration, yet you are the only one who think it unnecessary, and shake your head and walk away with a twitching mouth.

Mourning is observed during sad events, for example, when somebody’s parent pass away, or when someone’s baby dies prematurely, or when somebody’s life partner meets an accident or is inflicted by a disease, etc. The person involved is stricken with sadness, but we are indifferent in seeing all these.

The Bible requires us to remember those who are in prison, as if we are together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if we are suffering (Hebrews 13:3); And we must rejoice with those who rejoice; and mourn with those who mourn.  (Romans 12:15).

Unfortunately, everywhere there are indifferent and self-centered people. When they hear people playing pipe, they do not dance, and when they see people mourning, they do not beat their breasts! This generation is indifferent and self-centered.

The people of this age not only are indifferent, but they are also people of cynicism. They like to look at people negatively. They attacked John the Baptist and said that he was crazy, because he lived in the wilderness, wore clothes made of camel’s hair, ate locust and wild honey, and called people out for repentance the whole day near the Jordan River.

John said also that God “would raise up stones to replace us, and the ax is already at the tree, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” They thought that John’s words were ridiculous, for they perceived themselves to be the true descendants of Abraham and hence, they would surely not be destroyed!

On the other hand, they also did not see Jesus as the Messiah, but someone who was a glutton and drunkard, for he invited Zacchaeus, the tax collector, to dine with him. Jesus in fact did attend the feasts of the Pharisees, and he was also present at the wedding feasts.

Little did they know that neither did John the Baptist go crazy because he was not possessed by evil spirits, nor was Jesus a glutton and a drunkard. People made such criticism and judgment because their hearts had become calloused. They only knew how to behave righteously before men, but inside they were full of wickedness (Matthew 23:29).

Jesus reproached this generation that they only knew how to ridicule and doubt those things that were true and meaningful. Jesus in fact challenges us to leave our comfort zone and self-centered living.

The Apostle Peter admonished us that we must keep our tongues from evil if we would love life and see good days. He commended that Paul’s letter was full of the heavenly wisdom (2 Peter 3:15-16).

The words of Apostle Peter make us come to realize that we need people who know how to appreciate, understand, and sympathize more with others and people who are willing to contribute their efforts.

Please do not be that kind of people who have words without deeds, and would only criticize and judge and find excuses for themselves. Please don’t be the people who always want to be seen living on a moral high ground but actually have done nothing to remedy the wrongs and damages.

This is a Trouble World that Refuses to Repent and Turn to God (vv 20-24)

Tyre, Sidon and Sodom were notorious ancient cities, and they were either cursed or destroyed by God because of their wickedness. The city of Nineveh was heinous, but Nineveh “believed in God and declared a fast” after hearing the words of Jonah. The people in the whole city put on their sackcloth and they confessed their sins and repented before God.

Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum were cities near the Sea of Galilee. The people there had witnessed the great miracles of healing and deliverance performed by Jesus, and they heard Him preaching the Word of God.

However, these Jews were stubborn and stiff-necked, and they refused to believe in the words of Jesus and the signs and wonders He performed. They did not want to repent in their sackcloth and ashes. It was probably because they were too familiar with Jesus, and they overlooked him and only saw his outward appearance, but they could not see “life in Him.” (John 1:4)

The Lord Jesus said to Bethsaida, “Woe to you!” and to Chorazin, “Woe to you!” And He said to Capernaum, “You will go down to Hades.” The Lord likened Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum to the most wicked city of Tyre, Sidon and Sodom. The people in those cities who had seen the miracles of Jesus would have to receive greater punishment than those who never saw it.

Today, many places all over the world have churches and every family does have their own bibles. If these people would not to repent and believe in Jesus, they have no excuses for their sins and have to receive severe punishment!

How shall Christian live in this generation? How? Disappointed? Forsaking their faith? Don’t feel like praying? Not going to the house of worship? Have you grown weary for seeing such a rebellious world and thinking of stepping down from serving God? See how the Lord Jesus responded!

Submit to God and preach the Gospel of God’s favor in this Troubled World (vv 25-30)

When Jesus was accusing this generation for not repenting, for not believing in Him, He raised His head and thank the Heavenly Father, and acknowledged that the Heavenly Father was Lord, and all powers were in His hand.

Jesus pointed out that there are two kinds of people in this world. The first kind is the intelligent, who is puffed up because of their knowledge. The other kind is the humble like a baby, who open themselves to accept the truth of God. Are you clever in your own eyes or are you seeking the truth with a child-like faith?

Jesus is Christ, the Holy Son. In Him, the Heavenly Father is revealed fully to all. Jesus revealed to us clearly all the aspects that we need to know about the Heavenly Father, so that we can know Him. We can be accepted by the Heavenly Father through trusting in Jesus. Therefore, Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

This generation has been inflicted by many disasters. It is like a blind leading another blind, and the foolish could not understand the truth. The wicked are still arrogant and defiant, and kind people are still under persecution.

I listen to the daily news, and therein are news that talk about the human atrocities, anger, sadness and lawlessness, which make people helpless and it is beyond their control.

Living and being well informed in this current context, we however must not be affected nor start doubting about our faith when we face such many problems. E.g., we doubt whether we are saved, and whether our sins are forgiven, and whether God is working in our lives, and whether God reigns in this world, etc.

Only God has the answers, and He shall reveal them to the innocent. Only when we become like children, and we purely believe and trust in Christ like how little children believe and trust in their parents, then only can we see the goodness of our Heavenly Father and be blessed by Him.

We are to observe God’s promises and evidence given to us when we study the Bible. We must walk with God and not turn away from Christ, but to turn to Him. By this, we will surely see our lives changed, and the whole world will be changed accordingly. Those who consider themselves “wise and learned” will only see temporal things before their very eyes, and they will be deceived by the devil to leave the way of God. They will suffer in the long run and in the eternity.

When Jesus was charging against the generation that refused to repent and believe in Him, He was preaching the Gospel humbly to them and hoping for them to repent. Jesus wants to deliver us from the yoke of slavery, and to give us rest. It means we shall receive God’s love, healing and peace in His presence. Building relationship with God turns our meaningless and troubled lives into lives that are full of direction, meanings and spiritual effectiveness.

We must also follow the footsteps of Christ in preaching the Gospel of peace and rest to this generation. I pray that the Heavenly Father will forgive and heal the earth. I pray that the Heavenly Father will bless our friends, neighbors and relatives, and that He will bless my family too.

Though many things have happened around us, including things that have caused us troubles, we might not understand the reasons behind them, but we raise our hands and praise our Heavenly Father. Our Heavenly Father has His own plan and timing of doing things. And like our Lord Jesus, we must submit to His will and give Him the highest honor. “Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.”

Our Heavenly Father knows what is better, and His will is the best. Life is fleeting and insignificant, and there are many things we cannot understand, many burdens we can’t bear, and endless questions we can’t afford to answer. Let the Heavenly Father take sovereignty over us! We need to submit to God for these things.

On the other hand, we need to take care of others. Let us extend our hands to many others who are in need, by giving them even a cup of cool water, a word of encouragement, a word of comfort, and a word that sounds good in their ears.

We need to rejoice with those who rejoice, and to cry with those who cry, and lend a hand of support to others in their ministries. Let us learn from our Lord Jesus and give others a ray of hope and a beam of light. And let us tell others that Jesus is aware of their bitter burden, and He shall give us rest!