Verse Discussions

v1-15
John essentially asks Jesus to free him and Jesus calls him the most humble human. John is in the power of Elijah, yet humble to accept God's intent for his life, even if that is death.

v16-29: What is the meaning?

• denial: no matter what proof is given, the current "generation" still denies Jesus as being the Christ.
• v16-17 is a metaphor while v18-19 explains the current realities of the metaphor
• miracles don't change people. People frequently come to Jesus for miracles, not because of faith. They want a "spiritual high".

v25
We discussed the humility of Jesus in the Nativity and in Psalm 8. In addition, other Scripture says God oppresses the proud and exalts the humble. Lastly, we discussed how trying to teach someone who thinks they know better is hard. Humility creates space for God and allows Him to teach us--child like curiosity.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

Service is the greatest form of humility.

v29

• gentle, teacher, humble
• take my troubles and bear my spiritual burdens
  • burden of law requires 100% obedience, or righteousness, in order to obtain salvation. This is an immense amount of work allowing for 0% error
  • burden of grace allows for forgiveness. This is a work of God, but we must cooperate with his Grace. We are called to full righteousness, but we have a path back to God when we sin (error) through reconciliation with God (we repent and God forgives).