Matthew Chapter 11

Jesus and John the Baptist

Scripture references for further study: John 1:24-34; Isaiah 35:5-6

1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. 2 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" 4 Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 6 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."

In verse one we start with being told that after the "class" he taught to send his 12 out to spread the Gospel, he went on to "teach and preach"  We think of these being the same thing but if you look at the definitions you find that they mean different things.  To preach is to proclaim or urge acceptance of, to deliver a message to an audience.  To teach is to interpret  the message, to instruct or explain.  Jesus was both a teacher and a preacher.  He delivered the message and showed people how to interpret it. 
Verse 2:  Remember that back in chapter 4:12 we learned that John the Baptist was in prison.  Now we see him sending some of the disciples to verify that Jesus is the Christ.  Sometimes this passage may seem that John was having doubts about it all, but that seems strange considering that John had proclaimed Jesus' identity.  (See John 1:29-34)  Maybe, he sent his disciples so that they could hear from the Master himself who he was, so that they would follow Him.  In John 1 : 35-37 John encouraged this.  But, he has also, now been in prison for a while so it would be understandable if he WAS having doubts.  After all, the Jews had expected a Messiah to put an end to Roman rule and establish a Jewish earthly kingdom.  Look carefully here, Jesus didn't  condemn the question, he just told the disciples all that he was doing, all that we have seen in the previous several chapters, and encouraged John to trust. 
For us, if we look at the progression with John, we see that its easy to believe, trust and follow the Lord when things are busy and happening and seem to be moving.  People re getting saved, excitement is in the air, you can declare your faith and just know nothing will change that for us.  BUT< when things settle down, and things start to go wrong, your family is squabbling, or even your church family is squabbling, things are tough at work, friends and others are laughing at your beliefs-- can you still follow Him with out doubts?  Probably not-- but there is nothing wrong with doubts.  Look at Elijah, in 1 Kings chapter 19.  He even wanted to die in this story.  What we need to know is that Jesus doesn't condemn us for our doubts.  He expects us to come to Him with them, the key is to sincerely ask for answers.  You can find others in your church or family or other places around you, but ultimately go to Jesus in the end.  He answered Johns questions and He will answer yours too.

 

 

             7 As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: " 'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' 11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 He who has ears, let him hear.            

Lets start with a short discussion of Elijah, whom many said that John the Baptist was incarnate of. 

Many Jews of the time read Malachi 4:5 to mean that the prophet Elijah would be returning  in person  to herald the coming Messiah.  If the people are willing to accept Jesus' explanation that John the Baptist is this promised Elijah, then they would be open to hearing the salvation message Jesus and his disciples were sharing.

This is taking place as John's disciples were walking away after Jesus's conversation with them.  The men who were preaching Johns message were being followed themselves. 

Jesus stops them and questions the people following Johns followers He wants to know what THEY had expected of John.  Certainly they had known he was not an elegant or refined man.  He was a prophet who was outspoken and rough and said what he thought.  But he was more than that.  He was the connecting link between the Old Covenant and the New one.  Jesus tells them that "there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist"  What praise, but then he goes on to tell them that even the least of the kingdom is greater.  John had probably never heard Jesus preach since he was put in prison so he only had the message of the kingdom on faith.  You can only enter the kingdom if you diligently seek it and intentionally want to follow Christ. 

He also was not the last of the Old Testament prophets but the first of the new Testament prophets.

Go through the Gospels and read everything you can find about John the Baptist, considering what Jesus said about him.  Try to imagine bin a jerw in his audience.  It would be pretty shocking and many listening didnt' understand what John saying.  Now consider Jesus' message as if for the first time.  Most of those listening tuned out the same way we do to anything we don't want to hear. 

Go back and read the Sermon on the Mount again and take it into your heart. 

Jesus started out talking to the direct followers of John, then he moved to the followers of that group.  Now he moves his circle out to the Pharisees, and the rest of the people. 

 

16 "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17 " 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."   

Jesus was harsh about the people who heard his message and not only ignored it, but tried to talk others out of believing it as well.  They are like children who cant be satisfied.  One group wants to play the flute and  dance but is turned down, the other offers to hold a mock funeral the other group doesn't want to do that so they just sit around and bicker.  What is He trying to say about  John the Baptist?  Jesus explains that John lived a very disciplined life full of self denial and very austere.  Did the Pharisees approve of his message and in him in general?  No.  Jesus, on  the other hand, lived among the people, going to parties, weddings, dinner parties and associating with people of every level of society.  Did the Pharisees approve  No. They are like bickering children who refuse to be pleased because they don't WANT to be pleased.  Jesus is trying to explain that it really doesn't matter what they think.  The rightness of both John the Baptist and Jesus can be seen in their ministries. 

The Pharisees condemned anything they didn't like with out trying to analyse or understand or evaluate it.  The question to ask is Do you do the same?  You need to be able to analyse and evaluate the preachers or teachers that you hear to decide if they are telling you the truth or not.  Study what they are saying and compare it against the Bible, THEN>>> look carefully at the way they live and the results of their ministry.  Compare that too against the Bible. 

We all don't have to be exactly alike.  We must accept our friends and even strangers even if they are different as long as they believe in and obey Christ.  John the Baptist and Jesus lived very different lifestyles but each was right. 



Woe on Unrepentant Cities

11:21-23pp -- Lk 10:13-15

20 Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you." 

Many people, today, say they could believe in Jesus if they could just see a miracle.  But Jesus here tells us that he DID perform miracles and healed sick people of deadly diseases but still the majority of the people in these cities were unmoved.  They ignored the Truth, completely.  Tyre, Sidon and Sodom were centers of wickedness and He says THEY would have responded.  He likely wept as He said this as Jesus wants EVERYONE to come to him.  He knows also that there will be a day of judgment and those who heard hand rejected Him will have bear the consequences and accept responsibility for their choice. 

He went on to pray.  Notice he praised His heavenly father that only those who recognize their helplessness when they hear the Gospel message can receive it.  It doesn't take wisdom and learning or money or anything else.  It only takes humility, a child-likenesses.  God chose to set things up in a way that rather than making it something we can earn or work for, it is something that God freely has chosen to give the authority for the kingdom to Jesus, His Son, whom we cant know with out belonging to Him. 
Many think those who are humble are wimps.  This is not true.  Jesus describes himself as gentle and humble at heart.  He also now calls us to 'come' and HE will give us rest.  This is a spiritual rest and He wont burden us with rules and duties. 

Rest for the Weary

11:25-27pp -- Lk 10:21,22

25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. 27 "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

True humility is based on God's strength, and we can lean on Him and cast our troubles on Him, because HE truly cares for us (1 Pete 5:7)

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