Showing posts with label Bethsaida. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bethsaida. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

#49 John Sends Disciples to Jesus


#49 John Sends Disciples to Jesus
Please first read: Matthew 11:2-30; Luke 7:18-35


Jesus continues his ministry in Galilee. He has drawn crowds of people but there has been opposition … many people refuse to repent and believe. He has just left Nain and word of his raising the dead son of the widow has gone throughout all Judea and Samaria. It is now summer and John the Baptist (JB) has been in Herod’s prison at Machaerus Castle since last fall. It is possible that news of the events at Nain have already reached John. There is no question in JB’s mind regarding Jesus. He knows Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. He is now trying to get his faithful disciples to understand they are to leave JB; his mission for God is through. They are now to transfer their allegiance to the one for whom John prepared the way. It is understandable they would be reluctant to leave John, and him in prison as well. Since Jesus in now in the area John may very well wonder if Jesus intends to free him from prison. This action by JB of sending his disciples to Jesus is a final great testimony that Jesus is the Lamb of God. He is relying on their seeing and hearing the Master, the Spirit will prompt them to go to this greater light.                                                                                                                                                                                               

Points considered in these scriptures:
·         Getting JB’s followers to now follow Jesus
·         Jesus’ efforts to make this happen … he does not say “yes” to their question
·         Jesus testifies of John the Baptist
·         The people have had two different messengers from God testify of the Messiah who is now here … many have refused both of them
·         Jesus testifies of himself

John’s disciples come and ask Jesus if he is the One, the Messiah, or should they be looking for another. Instead of saying “yes” Jesus makes them think of the marvelous things they have seen, and heard him do, and then sends them back to John who will give testimony and confirmation of Jesus as the Messiah. A new age has dawned … new words and new deeds are appearing.   They are seeing and hearing these events against the many-centuries-taught expectation the Messiah will come with great power and over-throw all Israel’s enemies. (They expect the second coming.)

When they went out to see JB who and what did they expect to see? A reed shaking in the wind … someone fickle, of easy persuasion? Someone clothed in soft raiment … someone weak, unsure? What they did see was a prophet in the style of the Old Testament dispensation … rough, strong, forceful, unbending, fearless. They reject John, they believe he has devil in him.

Now Jesus comes with a sympathetic, loving heart, healing and helping, and they call him a “winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. He offers evidence of being the Messiah and teaches from Old Testament prophecies (Isaiah and others) that the time of salvation has come, but they reject him also.

Luke 7:28: No greater prophet than John the Baptist.

·         He was chosen to prepare the earthly way before the Lord.  A signal honor.
·         He baptized the Savior.
·         He was the only legal administrator with Priesthood keys and powers on earth in the Eastern Hemisphere.

Matthew 11:11; Luke 7:28:  

“he (Jesus) that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he (John.)”
Joseph Smith said: “Jesus was looked upon as having the least claim in God’s kingdom, and (seemingly) was least entitled to their credulity as a prophet; as though he had said, “He that is considered the least among you is greater than John – that is I myself.” (“Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith,” p.276)

Matthew 11: 16-19; Luke 7:31-35:

“What illustration can I choose to show how petty, peevish, and insincere are you unbelieving Jews? You are like fickle children playing games; when you hold a mock wedding, your playmates refuse to dance; when you change the game to a funeral procession, your playmates refuse to mourn. In like manner you are only playing at religion. As cross and capricious children you reject John because he came with the strictness of the Nazarites, and ye reject me because I display the warm human demeanor that makes for pleasant social intercourse.” (“Doctrinal New Testament Commentary,” volume one, Bruce R. McConkie)     

Matthew 11:20-24:

“Woe,” Judgement of the cities … Chorazin, Bethsaida, Capernaum. Translation of the word “woe” means/reveals judgement not as a curse but more as pity and sorrow than anger.      Capernaum was Jesus’ home city for his work in this Galilee area. It was beautiful, well-populated, on the Sea of Galilee, economically prosperous with fishing, agriculture, and a commercial center. There was a toll station there … caravan routes passed through … and a military post. Jesus did much of his teaching here and in the surrounding cities and areas. This passage is a strong warning as to the unbelief of these cities. In the final wars between Rome and the Jews, Capernaum and the surrounding towns were obliterated; this area was almost totally destroyed. Only the ruins of a later synagogue remain.

Prophet Spencer W. Kimball:

President Kimball loved to walk in the paths of Jesus. He once visited the site of the three cities mentioned herein and shared the following in a Conference talk in April 1961:

“We asked our guide for the cities in which Jesus lived and performed so many miracles, for we remember that in this area of but few miles, much of his work was done, much of his ministry was accomplished. We would like to walk through the triplet cities he so often visited: Bethsaida, Chorazin, and Capernaum. We see no spires nor towers, nor walls. We ask our guide:  Where is Chorazin? He shakes his head. There is no Chorazin. We conclude it must have been on those hills where now are sprouting grain and vegetables and dry weeds.

“Then where is Bethsaida? We ask. Where is that noted city where so many sick were healed and the lame were made to walk; where deaf could hear and lepers lost their curse? Where is his favorite place he often lodged, the home of Andrew, Peter, and Philip, his dearest friends?   Where is Bethsaida? the house of fishers, the place of miracles, the seat of gospel teachings, where fishermen became apostles? In these very few miles much of interest happened. Where is Bethsaida? Our guide shakes his head again. There is no Bethsaida.

“Capernaum, then? We ask. Where is that important place, the port where fish were loaded, traded, marketed? He shakes his head again, then smiles as he thinks it through and changes the accent, and, Oh, you mean CaperNAUM. He shows us the ruins of a large synagogue. If this is of the Messianic period … it is the sole survivor. A back wall, great stones tumbled in disarray.   But (this IS) Capernaum, his own city, the great Capernaum, the haughty, wicked rebellious, Capernaum!”

Glenn R. McGettigan
February 2016

References: 

“Doctrinal New Testament Commentary.” Volume 1. McConkie
“Jesus the Christ.” Talmage
“Our Lord of the Gospels.” Clark
“Complete Biblical Library: Matthew and Luke.”
“Communicator’s Commentary: Mathew and Luke.”  
“Companion Study of the New Testament.” Ludlow