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Now when the disciples of John told him in prison all these works of Christ, John (calling to himself two of his disciples) sent them to Jesus. They said, “John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?’” In that hour he cured many diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and to many who were blind he gave sight.
Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see… that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”
When John’s messengers had went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? …a reed shaken by the wind? …but what did you go out to see? …a man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously dressed, wear soft clothing and live delicately …are in king’s houses and courts. But why did you go out? What did you go out to see? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women, there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer. Yet, he who is least in God’s Kingdom is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence… and the violent take it by force.
For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. “But to what will I compare the people of this generation… what are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace, and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t weep.’ For John came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard …a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”
Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn’t repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. You, Capernaum who are exalted to heaven… you will go down to Hades. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have remained until today. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you.”
At that time Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth… that you hid these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight. All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father. Neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son (and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him).
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened… and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you… and learn from me… for I am gentle and humble in heart… and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just (having been baptized with John’s baptism). But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God (not being baptized by him themselves).
Source Text Prioritization:__________________________________
- Matthew 11:2-30
- Luke 7:18-35
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