Jesus stopped commanding his disciples and departed to preach in their cities. John was still in Prison but he heard about what Christ was doing and sent two disciples to check things out. They ask Jesus, if he’s the one they are looking for or should the find someone else. And Jesus asks them to tell John about what they see and hear.
They blind can see, the lame walk, the lepers are clean, the deaf hear, the dead are alive, and the gospels are preached to the poor! And on top of that who ever isn’t offended by me is blessed!
As they left JC began talking to everyone about John. What did you go to the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What did you go out to see? A man with soft clothes? Those folks live in the king's houses. What did you go out to see? (I would go out to see what the point of this is…) A prophet? I am but I am more than a prophet!
I am the one they wrote about, I send my messenger to you , and he’ll prepare my way. Who amongst you has risen higher than John the Baptist (Jailbird Johnny), noting that he is the least of the kingdom of heaven (ooh burn JC!). Since John the Baptist started preaching, until now the kingdom of heaven has been taken by violent force. Wait huh? When did heaven suffer an invasion. What are you talking about?
All the prophesies led to up to John. And if you will hear it, this is Elias, who was coming. What? If you have ears, hear this!
What is this generation like? Like children, sitting in the market calling to their friends, saying we made music but you don’t dance! We’ve mourned you but you don’t mourn. John can and didn’t eat or drink, they say he’s possessed by the devil!
The son of man came and ate and drank and they said, look, what a drunk pig! He’s friends with publicans, and sinners! But children are wise.
Then he scolded the cities where his best work was done because they didn’t repent. Woe to you Chorazin, Bethsaida, if my mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented ages ago, wearing sackcloth and ashes! Wow, it sounds like Chorazin and Bethsaida are in trouble. It will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on judgment day than for you.
Capernaum which has risen to heaven, will be thrown down to hell, because you all have been doing more sinning than Sodom! You should be so lucky as Sodom on judgment day because you guys are way worse!
Jesus thanked his father for hiding these things from the wise and prudent folk, like they were babies. Even JC had thought things had seemed good.
No one knows who my dad is (except me), but I’m the only man dad knows, so he won’t know about any other men unless I tell him about them. Come to me with you heavy burdens and I’ll give you rest, take up my yoke, and learn about me, I am meek and lowly of heart, and your souls will rest. My yoke is easy and burden is light.
Wow, that ending came out of nowhere. This chapter ran the gauntlet of emotions and topics. JC seems to be both praising and mocking John the Baptist. Then he’s calling people simple, cities evil and in a vaguely threatening way reminding us that he’s got the ear of his father, god. But take up his burden because it’s light, and he’s got a gentle heart. Um… I don’t know about all of this.
One thing I have learned is that JC has anything but a gentle heart. That fellow is vindictive and petty. I'm just saying, but I would need some much more pleasant stories to convince me that this guy was worth following.
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