Matthew 11:1 KJV
And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
My attention is on the last phrase, "in their cities." Jesus had just commissioned the twelve to preach the gospel. When He had finished, he set out to preach "in their cities."
The Lord blessed the cities of the disciples with His presence and with His message. They gave themselves to preach the Word of God and He gave Himself to bless those they knew and loved.
I am reminded of 1 Cor 7:14
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. (KJV)
We do not sacrifice our lives for the cause of Christ without reward. Those we may see less than we would like because we have dedicated ourselves to serving the Lord are blessed with a nearer work of Jesus in their lives. this is not to say they will without doubt be saved. Later in the chapter, Jesus said in Matthew 11:21 KJV
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.
I cannot say for certain that Choraizin and Bethsaida were "their cities." But it would seem to follow. Sometimes, as was the case of Gadarenes, the blessings and presence of the Lord are not appreciated as they ought to be and they desire Him to depart from their coasts. Still, the opportunity to hear from and receive Christ is a blessing most welcome to those of us who know the value of Christ.
And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
My attention is on the last phrase, "in their cities." Jesus had just commissioned the twelve to preach the gospel. When He had finished, he set out to preach "in their cities."
The Lord blessed the cities of the disciples with His presence and with His message. They gave themselves to preach the Word of God and He gave Himself to bless those they knew and loved.
I am reminded of 1 Cor 7:14
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. (KJV)
We do not sacrifice our lives for the cause of Christ without reward. Those we may see less than we would like because we have dedicated ourselves to serving the Lord are blessed with a nearer work of Jesus in their lives. this is not to say they will without doubt be saved. Later in the chapter, Jesus said in Matthew 11:21 KJV
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.
I cannot say for certain that Choraizin and Bethsaida were "their cities." But it would seem to follow. Sometimes, as was the case of Gadarenes, the blessings and presence of the Lord are not appreciated as they ought to be and they desire Him to depart from their coasts. Still, the opportunity to hear from and receive Christ is a blessing most welcome to those of us who know the value of Christ.
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