Jesus performed many mighty miracles in certain cities in Israel but they still refused to repent.
Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not. Matthew 11: 20
What did these cities not repent of?
We have to read the whole Chapter of Matthew 11 to find out.
Jesus was preaching and teaching the people. He explained to them that John the Baptist was the greatest prophet of the OT because he came proclaiming Christ the Messiah. John was the messenger preparing people to receive Jesus of Nazareth as their Messiah. The people as a whole did not believe John’s message.
Then Jesus goes on to say that people criticized John for his prayer and fasting or for being set apart. (Being a fanatic basically) and then they turned around and criticized Jesus for ministering and eating with sinners. They accused him of being a drunkard and a glutton.
Obviously the people did not believe or receive John as the Elias which was prophesied to come or Jesus as the Messiah prophesied to come.
Jesus then tells the cities he did the most miracles in that they were going to be in big trouble on judgment day because they were not repentant.
Their sin was that they did not believe.
Jesus performed many miracles in their midst and yet they remained unrepentant.
“The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” Matthew 11:5
Lots of people came to see the miracles Jesus performed! Yet they still did not believe.
“But what went ye out for to see? ” Jesus asked the people concerning John.
The people it seemed went out to see a show.
They watched all the miracles being performed by Jesus and yet they did not believe that he was the Messiah. That is why Jesus pronounced future judgment on them!
Isn’t that kind of like today? How many people flock to miracle meetings to see the show yet fail to surrender their hearts to Jesus Christ?
No where in the Bible does it say that miracles produce faith. Some people think that. They even think that if they just had a sign from heaven then all their problems would go away.
Jesus says in his word that to seek a sign other than the one important one he has given is to be in unbelief.
A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed. Matthew 16:4
What did Jesus say to John when he wanted confirmation that Jesus was the Messiah to come?
After Jesus gave his testimony he said, “blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. ” Matthew 11:6
In other words Jesus said believe that he is the Messiah and don’t be offended because Jesus says that he is the Messiah.
Lastly Jesus tells us that the Father reveals through his word Jesus is the Messiah and the Son reveals the Father to those who receive the Son.
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Matthew 11: 27
It is not miracles as wonderful as they are that produce faith! According to the Bible, it is revelation of the Holy Spirit through the word of God that produces faith.
“And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 16:14-17
The Bible makes it clear that people who did receive miracles from Jesus actually believed before they got the miracle. It takes faith in Jesus Christ to get a miracle but watching miracles being performed does not produce faith.
And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. Matthew 8:17
And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.” Matthew 9:28
The Bible teaches that Faith comes by hearing and hearing comes by the word of God!
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
When God’s word is revealed to our heart then we will get a miracle!
A miracle specific to our need, for God knows what we have need of even before we ask him! (Matthew 6:8)
“Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.” Psalm 119:114
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