Matthew 11:1-19

Jesus Teaches About The Kingdom And Eases The Doubt Of John The Baptist

2 Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples

3 and said to Him, "Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?"

4 Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you hear and see:

5 the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.

6 "And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me."

Jesus' Tribute to John

7 As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak 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 SEND 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 "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, 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 "He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

16 "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other children,

17 and say, '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, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds."

John's Doubt

Doubt -- It's such a little word. Following along with other little words such as "if" or "but", doubt can be very powerful so don't underestimate it.

The online reference, Dictionary.Com tm explains doubt ..

"as a noun

- a feeling of uncertainty about the truth, reality, or nature of something.

- distrust.

- a state of affairs such as to occasion uncertainty.

- Obsolete. fear; dread. "

Let's face it, we all have doubts. During times of need the "little word" sneaks into our lives and leads to the uncertainty shown above.

John the Baptist Had Doubt

John couldn't understand why, if Jesus was the Messiah, he (John) was thrown into prison instead of being allowed to preach and prepare the hearts of the people for Him. And, I can absolutely understand the uncertainty John must have felt.

Jesus sent word to restore John's faith telling about the many miracles and his preaching ministry to the poor. It was evident that Jesus was the Messiah but the real truth would be revealed "from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky" as quoted from the popular contemporary song; "Lord I Lift Your Name on High".

What About Our Faith?

John the Baptist had the benefit of hearing talk of miracles performed by Christ on a daily basis as word spread about him throughout the land. But, what about us?

We have the hindsight of the Bible to help us keep faith strong. When we are in doubt about our salvation and the promise of God's kingdom, we need to turn to Christ and look at what he has done in our lives. The truth is right before our eyes in the Scripture. John didn't have the finished story of the cross - but we do.

Love In Christ

- Bob

Matthew 10:17-42 - The Disciples Prepare For Persecution - This is a lesson to take to heart as Christians are being persecuted still. Should we be prepared?