In The Word
Read: Matthew 11:1-24
John’s Questions
11 When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.
2 Now while in prison, John heard about the works of Christ, and he sent word by his disciples, 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or are we to look for someone else?” 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see:5 those who are blind receive sight and those who limp walk, those with leprosy are cleansed and those who are deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is any person who does not take offense at Me.”
Jesus’ Tribute to John
7 As these disciples of John were going away, Jesus began speaking to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ palaces! 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:
‘Behold, I am sending My messenger ahead of You,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’
11 Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come. 15 The one who has ears to hear, let him hear.
16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call out to the other children, 17 and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a song of mourning, 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, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a heavy drinker, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ And yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
The Unrepenting Cities
20 Then He began to reprimand the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that occurred in you had occurred in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that occurred in you had occurred in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Because of John’s continued opposition of King Herod marrying his brother’s wife, the king had John the Baptist thrown into prison. It seemed as though John’s mission was complete as there was no hope for release. His disciples told him of what Jesus’ ministry was accomplishing in the country. Then he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the Expected One or should we look for another?” John the Baptist, the man who saw Jesus, the man who said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John: 1:29), asked Jesus this question!
When John’s disciples approached Jesus and asked Him John’s question, Jesus replied, “The sick are healed, the poor are fed, and the dead are raised…” Then He told them not to let doubt or discouragement cause them to fail. Many times, individuals despair so deeply over their circumstances that they question their salvation and their Savior. It is times like these that we must be reminded of the miracles that we have already experienced. The first is our salvation; this was a miraculous event that sometimes we forget. That Jesus would call your name is the most important event of your life! When we get caught up in the situations of life, sin, and death we can lose sight of the great future that is eternal life. Now, take time to remind yourself of your salvation experience; what was the day, what brought you to the decision, how did you feel after this experience? Didn’t it change your life forever?