23: TRUTH or TRADITION (Matthew 11)

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When I was a little kid growing up in Sarasota, FL I always looked forward to coming to Perry to visit my grandparents…except on Sundays. I enjoyed church stuff and Sunday lunch, but it was afterwards didn’t like. I was forced to take a nap - something I now hold in high esteem - sacred slumber. Also, I was told that Sunday was the Sabbath and we weren’t to do any work…and somehow, that meant I couldn’t go fishing in the creek directly behind their house nor the pond a quarter mile away.

WHY did they tell me that? Because it was TRUE?

Where in Scripture are we told that the Jewish Sabbath - Friday sundown to Saturday sundown - was moved to Sunday? Where in Scripture were children forced to take a nap and then experience the cruel and unusual punishment not allowing them to go fish on a Sunday? Thankfully…it’s not in the Scriptures.

BUT…my grandparents had bought into this man-made TRADITION, thinking it was a biblical TRUTH.

We ALL have some man-made traditions that we have either adopted from another or made up for ourselves. And while some traditions are good practices - like eating with family and friends on Thanksgiving…and watching football - can I get an amen?!

- Some man-made traditions actually stand in opposition to God’s TRUTH. And when THAT happens, we have to make a decision, and answer this...

BIG QUESTION: Will we trust God’s Truth over Man’s Traditions?

…even when it doesn’t fit our preconceived expectations?

When we realize our beliefs don’t match what the Bible teachers, will we bend our beliefs to fit the Bible?

When we expect the God who loves us to heal us or keep us from going through tough times, and He doesn’t…will we still trust Him OR…will we turn from Him - because we have believed a man-made tradition that God won’t let us go through more than we can handle?

TODAY we will see how Jesus graciously answers disciples who are struggling to trust God’s truth over man’s traditions AND…we will see how Jesus pronounces judgment on those who refuse to bend their beliefs to fit what the Scriptures teach.

Before we go there, let’s pick up the context from 2 weeks ago we finished Matthew 10 where Jesus spoke to His disciples about counting the cost. Jesus warned them of persecution that was coming, even from their own family (Mt 10:37-39). Jesus doesn’t sugar coat anything as He makes it clear that He is to have first place in the lives of those who claim to follow Him.

He also encouraged His disciples of the future eternal rewards (Mt 10:42) worth the earthly persecution they were about to face.

Matthew 11:1–3 (NIV)

After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Matthew, later in his letter, explains that John the Baptist had been arrested for openly saying that Herod was living in adultery with his brother’s wife (Mt 14:3-5).

Before his arrest, John’s gospel tells us that John had earlier proclaimed Jesus to be “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (Jn. 1:29,36). John even heard about the deeds of the Messiah - Jesus. This is the first time Matthew has referred to Jesus as Messiah since the beginning of his writing (see Mt. 1:1, 16-17; 2:4).

But now John seems to be wavering on that. John - now in the confines and confusion of prison - is questioning what he told others about Jesus. I SO APPRECIATE this story, because - as we’re about to see - this great man of faith…was struggling - just like YOU and I have/will.

Have YOU ever wavered in your faith? Have you ever wondered whether what you believe is actually TRUE or not? It’s okay to BE there, but it’s NOT okay to STAY there.

John knew that and now John needs to know - is Jesus the one who is to come - is He the long awaited Messiah, OR...should we expect someone else?

Is there any greater question about Jesus that needs to be asked?

“Are You the ONE?” Are You the ONE who will make all things right? Did I have it right when I called you, ‘The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world?’

Maybe John was struggling with His preconceived idea of the Messiah, and Jesus didn’t fit into his box. If Jesus WAS the Messiah, why would He allow His greatest advocate - John - to be captive in prison.

Israel expected a political liberator, a King who would bring Israel back to preeminence. Why hadn’t that happened yet?

In both cases, Jesus wasn’t doing what they expected the Messiah to do.

Question: Has God ever done something different than what YOU expected or wanted? Did your faith falter OR were you willing to trust despite the struggle?

John the Baptist needs to know - has the Messianic age begun or not? Is Jesus the ONE that were awaiting…or not?

This is a pinnacle moment in Matthew’s writing. He wants to drive the answer to this question deep into the minds of his readers.

Jesus doesn’t rebuke John’s question or John’s doubt…and He won’t rebuke you if you genuinely are seeking the TRUTH.

Matthew 11:4–5 (NIV)

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”

Why does Jesus respond with this instead of just saying, “Yes”? Beyond demonstrating His incredible POWER, Jesus points the the prophecies littered through the Scripture. For example, Isaiah 35:4-6, written 700+ years before Jesus comes to earth, mentions:

Blind seeing

Deaf hearing

Lame walking

Isaiah 35:4–6 (NIV)

Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution He will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.

[Mt 11:4-5] Jesus also mentioned the healing of skin diseases, the dead being raised, and the good news proclaimed to the poor. Again, this is mentioned in Isaiah’s writing 700+ years beforehand and Jesus actually read this text from Isaiah in a synagogue and told them: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Lk 4:21)

Here’s the text:

Isaiah 61:1–2 (NIV)

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord [YaHWeH] is on me, because the Lord [YaHWeH] has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,

You can see why John might be struggling since he expects freedom for the captives and release from the darkness for the prisoners - which HE is.

He could be struggling with this thought too: “Why why You allow me to go through this after I’ve been faithful to YOU?”

Instead, John sits in a mountain fortress prison near the Dead Sea (Machaerus) [1], about 100 miles away from Jesus, [2] and he sends his disciples on the long journey to get an answer to this most important question.

And then Jesus gives this encouragement/warning:

Matthew 11:6 (NIV)

Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

What’s THAT about?

Why would anyone stumble because of Jesus?

Jesus said that some would stumble - get tripped up - because of Him, precisely because Jesus didn’t fulfill all their preconceived expectations.

Besides wanting Jesus to free him from prison, John expects Jesus to bring justice & judgement against his enemies right now. Remember when John earlier said these words?

Matthew 3:10–12 (NIV)

The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

[Mt 11:6] Many Jews would stumble on account of Jesus because they expected their Messiah to trample the Romans and lift Israel to prominence over all nations immediately.

And as the apostle Paul later writes, Jesus tripped up Jews who thought righteousness was attained by keeping the Law rather than by believing - trusting - Jesus.

Romans 9:33 (NIV)

As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.” * [combining Isaiah 8:14; 28:16]

In order for John not to stumble on account of Jesus, he had a decision to make…it’s the same decision WE have to make.

BIG QUESTION: Will we trust God’s Truth over Man’s Traditions?

Many in our culture will APPLAUD the build-a-bear Jesus of social justice and inclusivism, who never judges anyone.

But it should be no wonder that most of those people will be APPALLED that you will trust the God of Scripture - the One who judges sinners and forgives the repentant.

It is becoming more and more obvious in our culture, that the biblical Jesus causes many to stumble.

I recently talked with a dear friend back home in Sarasota who I believe has really turned from his sin and trusted Jesus. But…he has a lot of false beliefs that he allows to sync up with his faith in Jesus. I am encouraging him to seek Jesus of the Scriptures and not Jesus of the culture - to trust God’s Truth over Man’s Traditions.

You and I must do the same - get your face in the Scriptures and see if your version of Jesus is the biblical version of Jesus. If not, you must bend your beliefs to fit the Bible instead of doing the reverse.

Back to the text, John and his disciples have asked if Jesus is really the Messiah. Jesus has graciously responded, and then shares his heart about John the baptizer.

Matthew 11:7–9 (NIV)

As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

The people didn’t go to John because of his talk of health, wealth, & temporary prosperity. He was NOT a reed swayed by the wind - an expression symbolizing a man who bends to popular opinion. [3] John wasn’t a man who was worried about impressing other people. John was like a STIFF reed that refused to bend to man’s will. In fact, John sat in prison because he called King Herod out for his sin.

Matthew 11:10–11 (NIV)

This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

3 incredible insights here:

John IS the guy that Isaiah (Is 40:3) & Malachi (Mal 3:1) spoke of hundreds of years beforehand - the one who would prepare people for Jesus. While John the Baptist never performed a miracle, his task was more important than all other prophets before him.

John is the greatest prophet of them all! What an incredible reference on your resumé...“So, one of your references in Jesus of Nazareth and Jesus thinks you’re the greatest guy who’s ever lived on earth!” Wow! Greater than Moses or Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Malachi, or Jeremiah! That’s incredible! And to many of the religious leaders who thought John was a quack, this was a stick in the eye!

The least, the most insignificant person in the eternal kingdom of heaven is greater than John the Baptist on earth. How could that be? How could WE be greater than all the OT prophets?

Here’s how: A Seat in Eternity is better than a Pulpit on Earth. As great as John was - the greatest prophet with the greatest task - pointing to the Messiah’s entrance to Earth - John would quickly be willing to exchange his great role on earth for the lowest position in eternity.

Further, we have the complete message - to reveal Jesus to others! John wasn’t able to tell others about Jesus’ death to pay for sins, His resurrection, and His coming judgement! We do!

And then comes a really strange phrase, but in context, points to persecution faced by those who belong to God’s kingdom.

Matthew 11:12–13 (NIV)

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.

John had been persecuted verbally by religious leaders, and now was physically persecuted by King Herod as he sits in prison, and will shortly be beheaded. And John is the last Old Testament/Covenant prophet - pointing to the New Covenant King! The kingdom of heaven has been under attack, and that would continue, but would not change the truth.

Then Jesus drops this bombshell.

Matthew 11:14–15 (NIV)

And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. Whoever has ears, let them hear.

WHAT!?!? The Jewish people were awaiting the return of Elijah before the coming of the Messiah. That’s why Orthodox Jews, with this prophecy in mind, still leave a place for Elijah at their Passover feast, expecting his return. But, according to Jesus, God in skin who righty interprets Scripture, it is not the Old Testament prophet - Elijah - who would return, but John the Baptist - the one who resembled Elijah - and who pointed people to Jesus.

I have written a brief paper on this for you to dig into, if you like - in your notes. [4]

John is a godly prophet, and those in the kingdom are greater than him, but…what about those who trusted Man’s Tradition over God’s Truth?

Matthew 11:16–17 (NIV)

To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: “ ‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

What an intriguing word picture Jesus paints! This is a picture of children playing in the marketplace after hours.

At first they want to play 'wedding' and when they played the pipe everyone was expected to celebrate & dance...but SOMEONE would NOT play their game.

That would be John. John and his disciples were playing 'funeral' - fasting, praying, & calling people to repent - and the people of this generation didn't like it.

Later the 'children' decided to play 'funeral'. When they sang a dirge, everyone was expected to cry & drag their feet in the dust..but SOMEONE would NOT play their game.

That would be Jesus. They even got onto Him & His disciples because while John & his disciples fasted, Jesus and His disciples feasted (Luke 5:33). - Jesus and his disciples were playing 'wedding' and their generation didn't like it.

Neither John nor Jesus could satisfy the fickle people of their generation. They would not manipulate & control this Messiah nor His prophet, John….like a puppets.

In the movie Clear and Present Danger, Jack Ryan - played by Harrison Ford - confronts the President of the United States and refuses to be intimidated or pressed into saying something that is untrue. The President warns that Jack Ryan’s refusing to play by his rules will be destroyed while the President and his men get a slap on the wrist.

The President finishes his warning with this statement that speaks of George Washington’s escape from his enemy: It's the ol' Potomac two-step, Jack.

Jack Ryan responds: I'm sorry, Mr. President, I don't dance.

John did not dance at their ‘wedding’ & Jesus did not cry at their ‘funeral’.

And now Jesus makes his illustration clear.

Matthew 11:18–19 (NIV)

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

John was a quirky guy who smelled like dirt & hollered when he preached. He ate bugs & dressed like a mountain man. He wouldn't show up and the parties, spent lots of time fasting and alone, & certainly would not have engaged people on social media. Some even thought John’s ability to draw other people was due to demonic power.

Jesus was the guy who loved to be around people. It seemed like He was always with people. He didn't fast, looked a lot like everybody else in town, and would have had hundreds of social media friends just waiting to read his next post or watch his next video. Jesus was always eating and drinking with others and certainly wasn't as strict as those who followed the Rabbical Rules.

John and Jesus didn’t fit into their preconceived tradition of Elijah nor the Messiah. Despite the evidence that these men were fulfilling the Scriptural prophecies, that generation refused to bend their beliefs to fit what the Bible taught. Instead, they trusted Man’s Tradition over God’s Truth.

But wisdom is proved right by her deeds. Those who had the wisdom to weigh the evidence of Jesus’s deeds - the blind see, lame walk, skin diseases cured, deaf hear, dead are raised, & good news is proclaimed to the poor (Mt 11:4-5) - will choose to...

Trust God’s Truth over Man’s Traditions.

And Jesus’ patience was wearing thin with the lack of faith by so many who had seen His miracles yet refused to repent, so...

Matthew 11:20–21a (NIV)

Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!

Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum (a town mentioned in a moment) were all places where Jesus spent a lot of time doing ministry. But, despite the evidence proving Jesus was the Messiah, most of the people there refused to repent of their sin and turn to Him.

Matthew 11:21b–22 (NIV)

For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.

Tyre & Sidon were towns mentioned in the Old Testament, full of pagan people, mentioned for their Baal worship & pride. (Isa. 23:1–17; Jer. 25:22; 27:3–7; Ezek. 26:2–9; Joel 3:4–8; Zech. 9:2–4). Now Chorazin & Bethsaida are more accountable, after hearing the Messiah and seeing His miracles. They will face harsher eternal punishment than the pagan nations of Tyre & Sidon.

Matthew 11:23–24 (NIV)

And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

Capernaum became the home base for Jesus and His disciples for their ministry around the Sea of Galilee. Yet, despite Jesus living among the people and doing incredible miracles, most people did not repent. Therefore, they would be held more accountable than Sodom on the day of judgment and go down to Hades - the place where the dead are tormented. [5]

There’s a warning here for us - if God has used His people and His Scripture to reveal His will to you…and you stiff-arm Him…you are MORE ACCOUNTABLE and will face a harsher judgment than those who don’t know what you know.

Sadly, the prideful people - often the more educated & wealthy people who believe the traditions of man over the truths of God, while the more humble folks - less educated & less wealthy - see the evidence of Jesus and believe Him.

And just the people in these 3 cities rejected what they saw and heard from Jesus, and judgment remained on them, Jesus gives both a warning to those who reject Him and an invitation to respond to Him.

Matthew 11:25–27 (NIV)

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

When you consider the apostles Jesus chose to reveal God to, most weren’t highly educated or have extensive religious training. Many of Jesus’ own disciples were like little children - needing to grow & willing to listen & trust the Father rather than rely on their own wisdom.

Kent Hughes put it well: “We must not think a child cannot come to God until he is like a man, but a man cannot come until he is like a child.” [6]

And listen to the invitation Jesus extends to those men and women who will come to Him like children.

Matthew 11:28–30 (NIV)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Can you imagine ME saying THAT? “Come to ME…and I will give you rest?” You would likely and rightly think, “Jackie, just who do you think you are?” Yet this is exactly what Jesus is doing - inviting people to follow HIM, to seek HIM for their ETERNAL REST. This is no mere prophet or preacher - this is God, the Son!

A yoke was a wooden frame that fit on the shoulders of animals like oxen or donkeys to pull heavy loads or plow fields. This image became symbolic for laws or teachings that others submitted to. Jesus used this symbolism to show the difference between Him and many religious leaders who:

1) didn’t practice what they preached and who

2) refused to help their disciples with the heavy load they put on them (see Mt 23:4).

By contrast, Jesus was offering rest to anyone who is weary and burdened - those who are exhausted and tired of carrying a heavy load - that includes your daily difficulties, sin struggles, unrealistic expectations.

This rest is not retirement. This is NOT a ceasing of work. but a changing WHO you’re working for! We find rest for our souls when we submit to a Master who is lowly and humble, a Master who has modeled what obedience looks like; a Master who won’t put too heavy a load and leave you to fend for yourself; a Master who lays down His life for His servants.

And so the question we started with is the question we end with…Will we...

Trust God’s Truth over Man’s Traditions?

When Jesus & the Scriptures say something different than our culture, family, or friends say, WHO will we choose to TRUST?

FEET2FAITH

READ the Gospels. Don’t wait…schedule it…get your phone or calendar out right now…I’m serious…I’ll wait. Set an alarm or write a time to read from 1 of 4 gospels every day this week.

WRESTLE with Tough Teaching. You’re going to run into tough stuff and it’s okay not to like it…to struggle with it. Ask mature believers to help you understand it. And ask yourself this question: Will I trust God’s Truth over Man’s Traditions?

RESPOND in Obedience. Don’t just read it, live it!

A lady once told Dr. Howard Hendricks - a Bible professor, "Dr. Hendricks, I've been through the Bible 29 times.” Dr. Hendricks responded, "Wonderful Madam. And how many times has the Bible been through you?” Live what You Read.

PRAY

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Flavius Josephus and William Whiston, The Works of Josephus: Complete and Unabridged (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1987), 484.

Michael J. Wilkins, Matthew, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2004), 412.

R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Luke’s Gospel (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1961), 409.

https://bit.ly/2ndComingElijah

Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 290–291.

R. Kent Hughes, Luke: That You May Know the Truth, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1998), 202.