Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath
Matthew: Christ The Promised King • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 29:47
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· 43 viewsJesus is the Lord of the Sabbath
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Intro me
We’re continuing our journey through the story of Jesus, the biography of Jesus, as it’s told by Matthew in the Bible and today we’ve got a whole section focused on a guy called John. Many of you might know him as John the Baptist - because he was busy baptising people even before Jesus came along. Seems super-fitting for our own baptism plans this morning, right?!
We know Jesus did and said much more than is recorded for us in the Bible - because the bible tells us that straight up. Matthew chooses to include this next scene in his biography of Jesus. He does that for a reason: because it has something significant to say to us. But what? Well, let’s dig in and see.
page 976 and Jennifer is reading for us today [get off stage]
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?” 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. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” 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. 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. 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. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. Whoever has ears, let them hear. “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.’ 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.”
Jesus is “The One” - and we’ll all dance to his tune
Ok, so, did you get all that? Everything clear? There’s a lot in here and we’re not going to get to everything - but we will have a little time for Q+R in today’s programme and I’ll be around afterwards too if there’s something specific you want to explore. Let’s start by taking a look at the big picture, the overall structure, the big map. There are three sections to what we’ve read:
first, there’s John’s question and Jesus’ answer - v1-6
second, there’s Jesus’ statements about John - v7-15
third, there’s Jesus’ critique of “this generation” - v16-19
And I think each of those has something important to show us today.
First, John’s question and Jesus’ answer. We met John back in chapter 3, shortly after the whole Jesus story kicks off at Christmas. He shows up in the wilderness, calling the Jewish people to turn back to God because something’s about to happen - because God is about to break into the story of the world. Mt 3:1-2
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
John is baptising people as a sign of their turning back to God - so when Jesus shows up wanting to be baptised it doesn’t make sense to John - and it’s pretty confusing for us, too. Surely Jesus doesn’t have any turning back to do? John knows Jesus is someone special - “I need to be baptised by you,” he protests. But Jesus gets his way: reluctantly, John baptises him, and then Jesus disappears off into the wilderness.
John doesn’t see much more of Jesus after that - probably because his firebrand preaching quickly lands John in jail - which Jesus takes as his cue to withdraw further North, away from the heat.
The next eight chapters we worked through last year showed us Jesus teaching with authority, acting with authority, and sending out his followers with authority. And it seems John, in prison, has heard about this - heard about it, but, frankly, just not been that impressed.
Jesus isn’t behaving the way John expected. Not ticking the boxes. Not measuring up. Not delivering. From prison, John hears about what Jesus is doing - and Jesus is doing a lot: it sets tongues wagging, gets people talking; no wonder John hears about it - John hears, but what he hears isn’t adding up.
John finds himself less and less confident that he’s ID’d Jesus right - he knew there was someone coming - but is Jesus really that someone? In the end, he pops the question - via his followers: “Are you the one who is to come?” ... “Or should we expect someone else?”
Now you might think “oh come on, John. How many people are there going around healing and casting out demons, and even raising people from the dead?” It’s not like there’s a whole raft of potential candidates to be “the one” and it’s a struggle to decide so you need a “Messiah’s got talent”-style contest.
Jesus is doing stuff that amazes everyone. “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel,” they said. People can’t stop talking about him. Really, John! Duh! Of course he’s the one.
But.. before we totally write off John, he does actually have some reason to question… Jesus is a stand-out for sure - but we should remember what John said was coming - who John said was coming. Mt 3:10-12
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.”
“One who will baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire.” If you were with us when we looked at that passage, you might remember talking about what that dual baptism meant. We understood that describing the two ways each of us can meet Jesus: as saviour, forgiving us and transforming us through the Holy Spirit - or as judge. Because the pictures John uses before and after it are very much judgement central: chopped down and thrown in the fire. burned up with unquenchable fire.
No tree surgery from Jesus so far. No burning up chaff. So, actually, I can see John might be thinking, “uh, Jesus, where’s the fire?” Lots of teaching and healing and hanging out and stuff. But not a lot of fire. John’s been languishing in prison since Mt 4:12 for saying it straight - time for some judgement on his captors? At least on someone, Jesus?
And wasn’t the coming Messiah going to set the captives free Is 61:1? Well, if I was stuck there in prison and Jesus was off somewhere in the North doing his thing, I’d be asking questions for sure.
This is where I think what we’re reading begins to come home for us. Is God not working things out in your life the way you’d imagined, the way you’d understood he was going to, the way your theology tells you he should - the way you wanted him to? I could totally believe John wanted to see some righteous judgement - now, thanks, Jesus. Let’s light her up. But instead Jesus seems to be on a totally different track, off touring the highlands. Have you been there? Confused by what God’s doing - or more often isn’t doing?
In our own lives, inside our own hearts, how many things can we point to which just don’t seem to add up? Where what we understood of who God is and how he’s going to work just doesn’t match our experience, our reality. And I’d be lying if I told you that never shakes me. Honestly, I think probably every follower of Jesus in the room has asked this question - probably lots of times: “Are you the one? Or is there someone else?”
Well here’s some mighty good news for us: Jesus is gentle with doubters, with those who waver, with those who are confused as things go the opposite way to what we’d expected. He’s gentle. He’s patient. He’s merciful. He’s kind.
Look, he could have gotten the question from John, shook his head, and said [L on head] “looser.” Written John out of the story, figuring he was too stupid or too faithless. Replace him with some better v2 - Barry maybe; Barry the baptist - Now that works better. Forget John, John’s cancelled. Let’s run with Barry instead.
But Jesus doesn’t give up on John. Jesus is gentle with doubters, with those who waver. With those who made a good start, a good call on who Jesus is, then got shaken by life. Doubting is not the same as falling - and it doesn’t have to lead there either. It’s not a one-way street: go direct to faithless and do not pass go or collect £200.
Instead of sending John an abuse-gram back, Jesus graciously sends John yet more evidence - a show-and-tell. The list he gives John is tailor-made to show him that yes, Jesus is indeed The One. I don’t have time but I could show you that in the details. Jesus gives John another chance, more time. And then Jesus goes on to honour John, to big him up - not to tear him down.
Oh yes, this is mighty good news for us doubters.
And look, it’s good news for us ourselves, when we waver, when we question - but it’s also a model for us - as everything Jesus does is. Think about your children; think about your friends - have you wondered whether their faith is wavering? Perhaps you’ve basically written it off? Well Jesus is gentle with doubters - and we should be too. Gentle. Patient. Kind. So rather than freaking out when someone has questions, how could we instead feed and nurture faith? What’s the best “potting compost” for that? The best conditions to help it grow even after a setback? What truths, what words, what actions could encourage or help?
[pause]
There’s so much more in this passage I’ve got to move on. Second thing: Jesus isn’t behaving the way John expected - but Jesus is the one John expected.
Jesus sends John’s followers back with encouragement and invitation - and then he turns to the crowd to say some more about who John really is - whether John knows it or not - even if John doubts it.
Did you just go out sightseeing in the desert? Jesus asks (“a reed swayed by the wind” is one of the distinctive bits of scenery where John was baptising.) Did you go for the fashion show? John’s dress code was anything but impressive. (A personal inspiration!) No, says Jesus: you - the crowds - you were on to something. You knew John was someone, had something to say, had a message from God.
But - Jesus adds - he was something even bigger: “More than a prophet.” What does that mean? Well, Jesus explains: John was more than just a prophet because of his unique place, his unique role: the one preparing the way. He’s the one who rolls out the red carpet as the main event arrives, checking all the details. He’s like the secret service bodyguard running along ahead of The Beast and Mr Prez. John knew ultimately it wasn’t about him at all - but about the one who comes after.
That’s what makes John special: he’s penultimate - the one before last. That’s the point Jesus is making with his quotation in verse 10 Mt 11:10 . That’s the point Jesus is making in verse 14: Mt 11:14 I understand it’s a bit mysterious to us. “He is the Elijah” might not mean much to you. But the last prophet in our Old Testament, Malachi, the last recorded communication from God before Jesus shows up, tells us that God is coming back to sort things out - and a messenger will prepare the way before him. Malachi tells us that “the Elijah” will come ahead of that day, serving notice that it’s at hand. And that’s who John is - more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’
And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
Jesus is making much of John - yes - but notice how everything we hear about John actually just puts the spotlight more and more on Jesus. John’s the forerunner - forerunner for who? John’s preparing the way - preparing for who? Every word about John just builds expectation around THE ONE who will follow.
And Jesus keeps doing the same thing. Looking for a solid complement for someone you’re keen on? Try this: Mt 11:11
Matthew 11:11 (NIV)
Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater
Jesus labels John top dog - well, top human. Of all those ever born. I don’t know who you’d have on the top of your list of greatest people ever, but Jesus’ audience would be thinking “greater than the great king David? greater than the great deliverer Moses? greater then the great patriarch Abraham? Seriously? this John?”
Yet this “big man,” this “greatest” is just the forerunner - less than the least of what’s to come. So who’s the main event? Jesus, of course.
Now if you think Jesus is just a tragically misunderstood guy with some good ideas of how to be nice to each other, you’ve really got a problem here. Jesus is making much of John. But he’s making much of John as the forerunner to himself - to someone who is so much more, so much greater - more than the greatest of those ever born of women. It is simply impossible that a Jesus who says things like this - about John - and himself - is just some nice bloke. That door is closed. Jesus is either totally deluded - or wickedly manipulative - or actually who he says he is.
And Jesus keeps piling it on. Mt 11:13 Everything spoken and written up to John is coming to a climax, with John the final forerunner. The main event is just around the corner. Notice here Jesus talks about the Prophets and the Law - that’s a unique ordering; everywhere else - everywhere - it’s the Law and the Prophets. Why does Jesus switch it up? To put emphasis on the foretelling, the prophetic aspect of the Old Testament. It’s all been pointing forward - to what? Jesus. It’s all coming to a head here are now, he says.
For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
It’s simply not plausible the Jesus saw himself as just an ordinary guy. Jesus knew he was the climax of history. That John, the final prequel, had run his course and prepared the stage for the main event, the main actor. Jesus is the focus, the centre. “The hinge on which history turns.” And he knows it.
If Jesus wasn’t, he’d be totally crazy - or worse, totally evil. But Jesus is here to turn the world upside-down (or, really, turn the right side up again). Jesus is God himself, coming to us - that’s what you’d learn from Malachi if you carried on past the quotation we have here in verse 10: John is the messenger preparing the way - preparing the way for the LORD himself. That’s quite big, right? And quite clear.
Ok, final thing: As the crowd’s heads are spinning and they are wondering to themselves about who Jesus means to say he is with all this talk about John, he tells an odd parable. Here’s the picture: children are playing a game, trying to get others to perform for them, to follow their lead, to play a particular part: to dance when they pipe; to mourn when they sing.
But these others just won’t play along. Then Jesus lays out exactly who won’t play along. John wouldn’t play along. Jesus won’t play along. The greatest - and the even-greater - they won’t play. And the result, for now at least, is going to be this violent rejection Jesus warned us about in verse 12.
What does this all mean? Simply that "this generation” want a God who will dance to their tune. Yes, that ancient generation in Jesus’ day. But also our generation here and now. And also us. Look, by nature we want to set the rules, call the plays. Deep down, that’s what our twisted hearts want. So the only sort of God we’re interested in is one who ticks our boxes, who fits in with us, who won’t get in our way.
“Oh, I couldn’t believe in a God so strict as to demand John’s diet. No way. That’s not my tune. I’m an easy going guy.”
“Oh, I couldn’t believe in a God so lax as to accept Jesus’ lifestyle. That’s not my song. I have my standards, you know”
Have you ever had someone tell you “I couldn’t believe in a god like that”? A god who’s so judgemental. A god who allows or forbids such and such? “Well, I just couldn’t believe in that.” Have you ever, perhaps, thought that yourself?
Look, underneath, that’s exactly the same as saying “I could only believe in a god like this” - that is, only a god who ticks my boxes, who meets my expectations, who follows my rules - who dances to my tune. And if that’s the path you take, the only god you can believe in in the end, the only one who’ll tick all your boxes, is you. And you are not God.
I know people have squeezed Jesus into all sorts of boxes in their minds; they have their imaginary Jesus who agrees with them on everything, permits what they want permitted, rejects what they want rejected, overlooks what they don’t want to matter, censures what they don’t like. It’s like having a “main character moment” Have you heard that term? Those moments in life where we feel like we’re the star, the main event - and everyone else just a supporting actor; it’s our story, we’re the centre, everyone and everything revolves around us. That’s why it’s so important we pay attention as we meet the real Jesus in the Bible, not just the one we’d imagine for ourselves, the Jesus we’d like.
At the end of the day, “wisdom is proved right by her deeds,” Jesus says - that is, it will all come out. One day every eye will see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess. God’s wisdom will be displayed, proved right. Jesus won’t dance to our tune - but we will one day dance to his.
We have to prepare to meet a God who doesn’t agree with us on everything, a God before whom we must bow - and bend where we differ. John was right - he just didn’t quite grasp the timings. Jesus is coming to baptise with Holy Spirit and with fire. Salvation and judgement will come through Jesus in the end.
Let me finish with one last slice of that little book of Malachi which Jesus quoted from here, the very end of the Old Testament, setting the stage for Jesus’ arrival - see how clear this is. Mal 4:1-2
“Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.
Jesus is “The One” - and we’ll all dance to his tune.
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Today, rather than sing in response to what we’ve heard, we’re just going to be quiet for a bit, and take some time to pray and think. I’m going to open us in prayer, then give you a few prompts looking back on what we’ve talked about, and some time to think and engage with God. If one of these particularly connects for you, grab it and stick with it. If some don’t connect, just skip ‘em. If you don’t mind, perhaps just close your eyes so we don’t distract one another. Ok. Let’s pray.
God, please, meet with us now for Jesus’ sake. By your Spirit, help us to listen to what you have to say to each one of us today.
Now some prompts:
When God didn’t do what you expect, when things didn’t go the way you expect, how did you respond? How do you respond?
When those around you are shaken, when they waver and doubt, what is Jesus teaching you?
When Jesus tells us he is the crux of history, the main event - what does that mean for your life?
When “this generation” wants a Jesus who will dance to their tune, how do we respond?
When we wrestle with God, when we don’t like His way, what have we done? Who bends?
A few minutes to think and pray.
Thank you Lord that you are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. Thank you for Jesus coming as judge, but also having come as our saviour. Please restore to us the joy of your salvation and teach us your paths. Amen.
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Q+R PREP
v5 Jesus’ evidence, connecting to great prophecies of the OT (Is 35:5-6, Is 61:1) and the great prophets of the OT (leprosy+resurrection=>Elijah/Elisha)
v11 France: “lease in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” not implying John is outside of the Kingdom; more speaking of his place in salvation history.
v12 similar to Lk 16:16 but fundamentally different objects; huge translation shift since 1984NIV - hostile response to Kingdom