THE REJECTED JESUS

Matt. 11:20-24, “Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida!

for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.  But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 

And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.  But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.” 

After a brief interlude with speaking to the disciples of John, and commending John for His faith, the subject is once again the limited commission. The disciples had been sent out in chapter ten. Now we see some of the results.

Luke 10:17, “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.”  Luke 10:1, “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.” 

Mark 6:12, 13, “And they went out, and preached that men should repent Mark 6:12, 13, “And they went out, and preached that men should repent.   And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.”  Mark 6:30, “And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.” 

The Condemnation of the cities near Capernaum was made after the twelve apostles returned, and the seventy were sent out. The seventy will have some positive reactions. Luke 10:17, “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” 

I. WHO REJECTED JESUS?

1. The Jews of His Hometown of Nazareth Mark 6:5, 6, “And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.  And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.” 

2. His Earthly Family John 7:5, “For neither did his brethren believe in him.” “And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, He is out of his mind” (Mark 3:21, ESV). The KJV is incorrect using the word friends when it should be family.

3. The Spiritual Leaders Mark 8:31, “And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.”

John 6:66, “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” 4. Some of His Disciples

II. WHY DID THEY REJECT JESUS?

1. They Wanted a Deliverer Not a Savior Acts 1:6, “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” 

2. They Wanted a Jewish Loyalists and Not a Lover of Nations. Face it! The Jews wanted the Messiah to be exclusive. No Gentiles allowed--- Jews only!

3. They Wanted Jesus to Be Their Servant & Not Their God

III. WHY DO PEOPLE REJECT HIM TODAY

1. DECEPTION Many who proclaim to be believers have been deceived by false teachers.

THEY LIE IN WAIT Eph. 4:14, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”

2. DEFIANCE There are those no matter how much logic you use they simply reject.

3. DESPERATION This is how I see the evolutionist. They are so desperate to eliminate God and communicate their theories that simple logic is thrown out the window.

MAN DID NOT EVOLVE FROM AN APE

MAN DID NOT EVOLVE FROM AN ANIMAL

MAN WAS MADE IN GOD’S IMAGE!