Matthew 11:1-19
Jesus and John the Baptist
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.”
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.
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.”
Wisdom is right proved right by one's actions...It may take a long time for wisdom to be proved...But in the end wisdom is wisdom...Like Truth, I believe, that wisdom is eternal...
John the Baptist was in Herod's prison and wanted to know more about Jesus...John had doubts that Jesus was the One to come...But we all have doubts...John the Baptist, a Great Prophet and a great believer in the Christ has doubts because He is human and is now in prison...John was not only a Prophet, but Jesus says he is more than the other prophets...He is even the Elijah that was to come...If we remember, Elijah lost hope, right after a great victory for God...Elijah confronted the false god of Baal...He was pursued by the mean old queen Jezebel, and her King Ahab...Elijah challenged the people of Israel between a real God, and this false idol, called Baal...It was Elijah against the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal...Elijah said if the LORD is God -follow Him, but if Baal is God -follow him (1 Kings 18:21)...Elijah, doing the will of God wins, of course, and easily, but then he flees...Elijah was afraid and ran for his own life (1 Kings 19:3)...After one of the greatest challenges and greatest victories for God in the history of mankind, God did win and was with Elijah...But even after these great miracles, Elijah had misunderstandings, doubts, and fears...John the Baptist is the messenger for the Messiah...But even Great Prophets can have doubts and fears...John certainly wants to know more about Jesus...And he has to send his disciples and friends to find out more about the One who came to save His fellow man on earth...
Jesus and John the Baptist preached the same message...But they preached it approached people differently...Both men are poor and do not dress in the finest of clothes...They both preached about God...Both preached their message to the poor, the weak, and broken in spirit...John preached a baptism, and Jesus preached a repentance of sins...Most of Israel would not accept either of their messages...Some of Elijah's followers would be convinced after the confrontation with the idol Baal and follow God, after seeing the miracles, and some of John the Baptist's disciples would believe him and follow Jesus...Jesus certainly did many miracles...John's role is important, because he first introduces Jesus as not only the Lamb of God (John 1:29), but also the Son of God (John 1:34)...
We as believers listening to those who preach the good news, and are men of God, we must take note...Jesus says this generation has been given two choices -they have two people that are preaching the same message about Him...One message from John and one from Him...But this generation is like children, and cannot make a choice, and believe in neither...The listeners had rejected both the messages of John and Jesus...True wisdom is seen first not in the words of men...But their words from men are proved right by their actions...
Even for the best of men and Saints, doubts and fears arrive and come up in our lives...Elijah and John the Baptist was two of the Greatest Messengers we have for God and His Son Jesus...God and Jesus would use imperfect instruments to spread their word to the Jew and the Gentile...But the word would get out, because the Ones sending the messages are Perfect, while the messengers, are human, frail, and have doubts, and fears...But they are an encouragement to all believers, because we can draw great courage from the likes of Elijah and John the Baptist...The preached the good news and believed despite their fears and doubts...This is faith...