Matthew 11-15

I don’t get it: Matthew 10:13
If the people there welcome you, let your peace stay there. But if they don't welcome you, take back the peace you wished for them.

It sounds like Jesus is being spiteful. It’s hard for me to accept this verse. I think though, that since God is righteous, it is right for him to spite evil. He could not be holy and also accept evil – that is the truth of our need for a savior.

I totally get it: Matthew 10:16
Listen, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as clever as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Lately, my job is this verse. Every day, I feel like I am navigating my way amongst the wolves that I work with. They are out to get each other, and I’m sure at least one of them is out to get me. I’m constantly challenged to stay on top of them and protect my own interests without playing their games…and still finding time to do my job.

Isn’t that the truth: Matthew 11:18-19
John came and did not eat or drink like other people. So people say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man came, eating and drinking, and people say, 'Look at him! He eats too much and drinks too much wine, and he is a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is proved to be right by what she does."

You can’t make everyone happy. Even they don’t know what they want.

So wait – Jesus is the thief? Matthew 12:29
"If anyone wants to enter a strong person's house and steal his things, he must first tie up the strong person. Then he can steal the things from the house.

Something like that. I think the analogy here is that Jesus is reclaiming people who have been taken over by demons? Yes? No? I’m not sure.

Who are these “good people”? Matthew 13:43
Then the good people will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let those with ears use them and listen.

This translation (NCV) seems to use the phrase “good people” in place of “the righteous,” saints, etc. I don’t like that choice of wording, but I’m not sure if it’s because I’m used to the other words or because there is something wrong with it. I have a feeling this will come up again.

Haven’t you been paying attention?
Matthew 14:17-21
They said to him, "But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish." …All the people ate and were satisfied. Then the followers filled twelve baskets with the leftover pieces of food. About five thousand men there ate, not counting women and children.
Matthew 15:32-33
Jesus called his followers to him and said, "I feel sorry for these people, because they have already been with me three days, and they have nothing to eat. I don't want to send them away hungry. They might faint while going home." His followers asked him, "How can we get enough bread to feed all these people? We are far away from any town."

I read this and think, “What was wrong with these guys?” except, I totally just did the same thing myself…