When people are confronted with the Gospel they either gladly receive it, outright reject it, or continue to sit on the fence without making a commitment. After Jesus justifies His authority to cast out demons as coming from God, He challenges His critics and those still sitting on the fence that they're either for Him or against Him. Which is it for you-

Looking for temporary glory in this life, many Jews of Jesus' day failed to make the connections between OT prophecy and their fulfilment in Jesus as the Messiah or they rejected Jesus because He wasn't the type of Messiah they wanted. Yet, Jesus truly is the Messiah, the Servant of the Lord sent to deliver not only the Jews, but also people from all nations of the Earth.

The Sabbath is an ordinance God instituted at Creation. Instead of casting away this ordinance, Jesus further establishes it as He tears down the traditions of men which had heavily burdened the people of God. As Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus calls the church -and all creation- to rest from their usual labors, worship the One True God and carry out works of mercy to the glory of God on the day He himself has appointed, the Christian Sabbath or the Lord's Day.

Jesus rebukes a generation which witnessed great miracles and was privileged to hear the Gospel faithfully proclaimed and yet they haven't repented and believed. But with the rebuke comes a gracious invitation to come to Him and find everlasting rest. Both the rebuke and the invitation are most appropriate for our own generation.

Jesus challenges the crowd not to disparage John the Baptist by affirming John and his ministry. By doing so Jesus also affirms the ministry of the Kingdom and His own identity and mission.

Well before Jesus gave the Great Commission to the Disciples and the Church, He sent the Twelve out on a short term mission to help them prepare. The Church today can learn much from the instruction Jesus gives in this earlier mission beginning with the example of His own ministry and the great necessity of the mission itself.

It's common for even the most faithful believer to struggle with doubts, especially in the midst of a low period or trying time in their lives. Jesus sends word to John the Baptist to encourage him during such a time. Showing John that the key to overcoming doubts is to cling to what you know to be true, the unchangeable truth and promises of God's Word.

The blessings and rewards to be gained from the harvest far outweigh the costs associated with fulfilling the Mission Jesus has given to the Church. These rewards aren't only for the messengers who bring the Gospel, but also for those who respond in faith and receive both the message and the messengers.

Faithfully following Jesus and carrying out the mission of declaring the Gospel to the nations involves the potential costs of losing peace, relationships -even in one's own family-, and your life. Though these losses may be great and difficult to endure, they don't compare to the glory to come.

As the disciples go about fulfilling the mission Jesus has called them to accomplish they will be tempted to fear false accusations, bodily harm, and their allegiance to Christ. Jesus encourages them to not give in to fear but to trust the Lord and His care for them.