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Matthew 11:12-15
Jesus has begun speaking about life on earth (physical life) and life in heaven (spiritual life) (Matthew 11:11). In Matthew 11:12, Jesus makes known the violence of the ways of the world against the kingdom of heaven, and notes, “the violent take it by force.” God is love (1 John 4:8, 16), and love does not force one’s obedience but presents itself as an offer and waits for a response. In contrast, the violent ways of this world, which is controlled by Satan, strives to take everything and everyone by force, using whatever means possible to take control.
In this physical world, the prophets told of things to come as they were inspired by God. Jesus states in Matthew 11:13 (NIV), “For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.” This is an important statement as Jesus is indicating that the prophecies were about Him, in that He has come to fulfill them. The need for prophesies to continue is extinguished because Jesus has arrived in this world. We know from Matthew 5:17 (HCSB), “Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”
In Matthew 11:14 Jesus makes the connection between John the Baptist and the prophet Elijah as He declares (NKJV), “And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.” He ends this portion of the passage by commanding everyone to listen to what He is teaching, but more than just listening, He wants everyone to hear what He is saying, as to have understanding for His teachings (Matthew 11:15).
This is a promise from Jesus that He is the One that has been prophesied about.
This is a command from Jesus to listen to Him and to hear what He is teaching.
We are no different than the people in which Jesus was speaking to and teaching in this Bible passage. We too need to listen to Him speaking to us – to our hearts through His Holy Spirit that He promised to send to all who believe in Him – to live in our hearts. In John 14:15-18 Jesus states, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”
The Bible is God’s Word and He has given it to us so that we may listen to what He has to say to us. God has given us His Word so that we may hear what He is teaching us. God has offered His One and only Son to bring salvation to all who will believe in Him. The only question is, “Are you listening to Him and can you hear Him.” If not, maybe you have some things that you need to clear out of the way so you can have no boundaries between you and Him. God has offered His love to you…and He is waiting for a response from you. Let God know that you are ready, and He will speak to your heart the things that He has in wait for you.
Dear LORD,
As we read and study Your Word we are learning more and more of Your great love for us. We are learning to not just read Your Word, but to listen to what You are saying to us – to our hearts through Your Holy Spirit whom You have sent to live within us. We are learning to hear what You are saying to us as we begin to understand better and better of Your plan for our lives. We thank You LORD, and we ask that You always be near to us as we need Your guidance every step of our lives. In Jesus name I pray, amen.