Verses 1-6, “Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see 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. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”
It could be that John was expecting Jesus to come in demonstration of power and might, take over the evil Roman government, and set things right. But rather, Jesus ministered more in an individual way. This would certainly test people's patience and whether or not they were truly submitted to God's ways. We still have people attempting to use power and force to advance their agenda above God's plan. Our government is yoking up with the church leaders in one big ecumenical group to take our country back for God, even though He never asked us to. They won't listen to the words of Jesus and suffer from the same evil heart of unbelief that we read about in this chapter. The Jews wouldn't listen to prophets, or Jesus, insisting on their Messiah coming on their terms. Many will be disappointed on judgement day to learn that they were wrong... they will not get to have their way.
We know what happens to fruitless branches. They are broken off for unbelief. Romans 11:19-22, “You will say then, 'Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.' Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.” Without faith it is impossible to please God, and you won't be able to produce fruit without Him either. John 15:5-8, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." Although He may start by lifting the branch up out of the dirt and give it support to encourage is growth, eventually it will be cast out when it's completely withered and remains fruitless. How withered do you want to allow yourselves to get?
Verses 16-24, “But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, and saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not lament.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.” Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, 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 to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”
Some people are just looking for excuses to not believe and/or reasons to complain. They act as though following Christ is just impossible, and that He asks way too much from us. What they don't understand is the peace that He gives to those who learn the way of obedience. Rest for your soul is way better than anything you would be asked to leave behind to follow Him. Jesus says,“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (v28-30). When we rest in Him, we don't need to struggle to produce fruit because He does it through us. Having faith may seem like a struggle, but it actually frees you of your burdens.
Luke 13:6-9, “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?' But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ” God is patient, but there is a point where enough is enough. The only way to avoid being fruitless and then cut off is by abiding in Him.
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