Matthew 11-13

• Jesus looked after the apostles as well as reaching out to those who have not heard the gospel (11:1). Likewise, we should also make sure we look after our fellow brothers and sisters as well as spreading the gospel.
• John the Baptist hears of Jesus (v2), and Jesus answers by fulfilling the prophecies (v4-5)
• Jesus puts John in perspective: John the Baptist may seem to be a righteous one, more righteous than all (v11a), but he is still not the solution for heaven as the "least in heaven" is greater than he (v11b).
• Confirms Jesus is Elijah by saying all prophets including John has prophesised the coming of Elijah, v4-5 confirms that (v13-14)
• He pleads that those who has ears listen (v15), but says the generation he is in is not responsive to this fulfillment of the prophecy (v16-17). In return, they do not acknowledge his real identity, but call him a glutton and drunkard (v19)
  
• The Judgment of Tyre and Sidon would have been bad (unfortunately I didn't understand much of it in Isaiah 23:1-18), but the Judgment to come on us if we do not repent would be worse! (v22)
• The message can only be understood not by wisdom and understanding (knowledge) (v25), but by revealing the message to those chosen by the Son (v27)

Come to me, all 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.

-- Matthew 11:28-30

• Pharisees tries to find fault with Jesus eating on Sabbath. Jesus says if they know who they are talking to, that is, to someone who is so great (v6), they would not have questioned his authority. Is v8 suggesting lord of Sabbath as the one who created Sabbath? If so, how can the one who created the rules be bound by the rules?
  
• Is rules more important to abide and not do anything? (v9-14)
• There were many who already was thinking whether this is the Saviour they have been expecting by asking whether he is Son of David (v23), but Pharisees lead them astray (v24), but Jesus saves (v25-29)

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

--Matthew 12:30

• Reminder that Jesus looks into the heart. You may not speak good if your heart is bad, "for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." (v34b)
• Often people ask for signs, but Jesus said there will be no signs, and refers them to a parallel case of Jonah (v39), and warns people to repent or face Judgment (v40-42)
• Is it a warning for us to constantly equip ourselves to prevent ourselves from doing things that are worse? (v43-45)
• v50 - whoever does the will of the Father (God) is part of family.

• Parable of the Sower: 4 seeds:
  
1. Seeds that fell on the path (13:4), and devoured by the birds;
2. Seeds fell on rocky ground, sun scorched it (v5);
3. Seeds on soil but amongst thorns which choked (v7);
   
4. Seeds on good soil (v8)

• Explanation (v18-23)
• Parable of the Weeds (v24-30) explains why there are good and evil living on earth. At the time of harvest (i.e. Judgment), that is when the reaper (Jesus) picks out the good from the bad, and the bad will be burnt. Explained in v36-43.
  
• Kingdom of Heaven is worth selling everything you got to possess it. Describe through 2 parables (v44-45).
• Parable of the Nets - like the Weeds parable (v47-50)
• People close to you are always the hardest to work on to bring them the message of salvation (v57-58). That does not mean there is nothing to be done. Jesus did not do many mighty works, not NO works!