Casting the Damned into Hell by Hans Memling, 1425-1494.

1. The Announce of Judgment on Those Who Ignored the Messenger of God Matthew 11:20-24 Casting the Damned into Hell by Hans Memling, 1425-1494.

2. ESV Matthew 11:20 ¶ Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you." Matthew 9:35 ¶ And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. We are also reminded of the mission of the disciples at 10:11-15 which ends with a warning of judgment (vs.15) identical in wording as here at vs.24. Up to this passage there have been no reports of miracles in Chorazin or in Bethsaida. Secondly, there were many miracles in Capernaum, but miracles do not always compel faith, just amazement and enthusiasm (see next slide). This text in Matthew’s arrangement signals in an exemplary way that Jesus’ ministry in Israel will end in judgment on Israel. It is a kind of conclusion to this section of Matthew’s gospel. We had a forewarning back at 8:11-12. Note the parallels of vv.22,24. Both times the cities of Israel are contrasted with gentile cities. At the center of Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom of heaven is the judgment of God, and that keeps it from becoming a message of harmless love. What is so revealing in these words of judgment is that Jesus implies that people’s response to him and his message would determine their standing at the coming judgment. Rejecting him was rejecting God. Announcement of Judgment

3. “Woe to You Bethsaida!” “Woe to you Chorazin!” “And you Capernaum”

6. Enthusiasm For Jesus But No Life-Changing Repentance Matthew 4:23 ¶ And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. Matthew 7:28 ¶ And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. Matthew 8:1 ¶ When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. Matthew 8:16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. Matthew 9:8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. Matthew 9:31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district. Matthew 9:33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." Matthew 9:35 ¶ And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

7. Matthew 11:20 ¶ Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you." • These are traditional Near Eastern and Jewish signs of mourning and of sorrow for sin. • We have here also one of the principles by which God judges humankind: people will be judged according to the light they have and how they respond to it. Even the cities notorious for their immorality and evil will be better off on Judgment Day than the cities that failed to accept Jesus. What of those who have never heard of Jesus? • The miracles were signs that God was at work in their midst. The intention was not to amaze or entertain but to move them to repentance. • Even degenerate Sodom will fare better in judgment than those people in Capernaum who had been presented with the high point of God’s revelation and they had been indifferent to it.

8. Matthew 11:20 ¶ Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you." • The Jews believed that on the Day of judgment they would be much better off than the heathen/Gentiles, but Jesus turns this idea on its head. (See vv. next slide) • The phrase “will you be exalted to heaven?” is a proverbial expression often found in the OT to indicate pride before a fall; perhaps Capernaum’s pride was in their failure to recognize any need to respond to Jesus’ call for repentance. • “Hades” as used here is in reference to the realm of the dead, not to a place of punishment. Gehenna is usually used for that designation. • Vs. 24 points to a resurrection of both good and evil on the day of Judgment. Their judgment would be worse than Sodom’s; this seems so imbalanced. Sodom was considered the prime example of sinfulness. This judgment indicates that indifference or rejection of Jesus is the deadliest of sins. Announcement of Judgment

9. ESV Matthew 12:41 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. • ESV Luke 12:47 And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

10. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11: 25-30

11. Matthew 11:25 ¶ At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." • This section is considered one of the Christological highpoints in Matthew’s Gospel. It has three parts: • Thanksgiving (11:25-26) • Pronouncement (11:27) • Invitation (11:28-30) Jesus is responding to the unbelief of those he has pronounced “woes” upon in vv20-24. Jesus’ Prayer of Thanksgiving To His Father

12. Matthew 11:25 ¶ At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 Thanksgiving, vv.25-26 a. what are “these things” ? In the context of the whole gospel of Matthew, it would be the truths that Jesus taught and the truth about who he himself is . It was revelation to some and not to others, as 13:11-17 spells out. b. who are the “wise and understanding”? The scribes, Pharisees, and others who in contrast to “little children” rely upon their own resources in assessing the truth of God. This theme was later expressed by Paul in I Cor. 1:18-2:16. c. Who are the “little children”? It is a reference to Jesus’ unlearned and untutored disciples. They are the ones who received the inside information about God’s kingdom.

13. Matthew 11:25 ¶ At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. • Literally, “because thus was goodwill before you” which is a Semitic idiom for expressing deliberate choice and purpose. So we see different translations trying to get to the intention of the text. • KJV Matthew 11:26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. • NAS Matthew 11:26 "Yes, Father, for thus it was well-pleasing in Thy sight. • NET Matthew 11:26 Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will. • NIV Matthew 11:26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. • NJB Matthew 11:26 Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. • NKJ Matthew 11:26 "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. • NLT Matthew 11:26 Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way. • YLT Matthew 11:26 Yes, Father, because so it was good pleasure before Thee. We can see in these verses the two sides of evangelism: the preaching of the gospel and God’s sovereign pleasure or good will.

14. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. • Pronouncement vs.27 This is a 3rd person pronouncement about Jesus’ own position in relation to God. We had a direct address (a prayer) to God in vv. 25-26. What are the “all things” in vs. 27? Probably in reference to revealed truth about God; Jesus alone is in a position to declare exactly what God is like. Note the words “handed over”; the rabbis had received traditions from earlier rabbis. This is a process of passing on traditions or truths from earlier sages, but Jesus’ truth is revealed truth, it is directly from God, with no intermediaries. The Father has given to Jesus (the Son) the sole prerogative to reveal him, so that anyone who approaches God a different way will not find him. Notice the unique relationship: only the Father knows the Son and only the Son knows the Father. Jesus is so intimate with the Father that he is the very expression of the mind of God on earth. The word ‘knows” is an intensive form of the Greek word, suggesting “to know exactly, completely, through and through.” In Hebrew thought to “know” is a matter of relationship than of intellectual attainment, and here, a gift of God. This verse is the equivalent of John 14:6.

15. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Invitation vv.28-30 An outline of these verses: An invitation to come to Jesus and the promise of rest. Vs. 28 An invitation to follow Jesus in disciple ship and the promise of rest. Vs.29 The light burden of those who follow Jesus. Vs. 30 Background to these words seems to be the OT concept of Wisdom. It existed with God from the very beginning (Prov. 8:1-21, 32-36; 9:4-6) . But even more so are the passages from a work called Wisdom of Jesus ben Sira (see next slide). Jesus speaks here in the way that Wisdom speaks; He is speaking as though he were Wisdom! Here, Jesus, as God’s divine Wisdom personified, extends an invitation to come to him and learn the truth about God and obtain shalom for one’s inner being. Another OT link might be Ex.33:14 where God says to Moses, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Astonishingly, Jesus calls people to himself and rather than say “God will give you rest” says, “and I will give you rest.” Jesus not only stands in the way of Wisdom but even in the place of Yahweh/God. Metaphor for the legal and ethical demands made by the scribes and Pharisees. “They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.” Matt.23:4 The Pharisees spoke of 613 commandments which were a hedge around the Law to keep people from breaking it. Plus, there was additional rulings for living righteously. Jesus’ Prayer of Thanksgiving to His Father

16. The Wisdom of Jesus ben Sira • NJB Sirach 6:23 Listen, my child, and take my advice, do not reject my counsel: 24 put your feet into her fetters, and your neck into her collar; 25 offer your shoulder to her burden, do not be impatient of her bonds;26 court her with all your soul, and with all your might keep in her ways; 27 search for her, track her down: she will reveal herself; once you hold her, do not let her go. 28 For in the end you will find rest in her and she will take the form of joy for you: 29 her fetters you will find a mighty defense, her collars, a precious necklace. 30 Her yoke will be a golden ornament, and her bonds be purple ribbons; 31 you will wear her like a robe of honour, you will put her on like a crown of joy. • Sirach 51:23Come close to me, you ignorant, take your place in my school. 24 Why complain about lacking these things when your souls are so thirsty for them? 25 I have opened my mouth, I have said: 'Buy her without money, 26 put your necks under her yoke, let your souls receive instruction, she is near, within your reach.' 27 See for yourselves: how slight my efforts have been to win so much peace.

17. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." • Nowhere is the invitation to follow Jesus more personal and tender than here. • “all who labor and are heavy laden” those exhausted from their work or life; those who are burdened or weighted down with heavy loads. They are like the crowds Jesus described earlier at 9:36, “like sheep without a shepherd.” • An invitation to find a rest in him they will never find in the legalisms of the Pharisees. • Yoke. Used here as a metaphor for discipleship to himself but it was also a metaphor for being under the Law. • His yoke brings rest because he is gentle and humble in heart. • “rest” is the deep realization of existential peace, a shalom, or a sense of ultimate well-being with regard to one’s relationship to God. • In vs. 30 we have synonymous parallelism whereby the first line helps explain the second. The “burden” of Jesus is his explanation of the will of God and how to live one’s life rather than the numerous “do’s” and “don'ts” of the Pharisees.