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John and Jesus

Matthew 11.1–19

Don Ruhl • Savage Street, Grants Pass, Oregon • March 7, In the year of our Lord, 2018

  1. Matthew 11.1 | Teaching and Preaching

    1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.

    1. Matthew 10 is filled with commands and instructions that Jesus gave the twelve.
    2. What value did Jesus place on teaching and preaching?
      1. Do you give the same value to those activities as Jesus does?
      2. Without teaching and preaching the word of God, what will happen?
  2. Matthew 11.2–3 | John’s Question

    2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

    1. What do you think of John’s question?
      1. Many people believe that he went through a moment of doubt?
      2. Do you think he doubted the identity of Jesus?
    2. Is possible that John sent his disciples to Jesus with that question for their benefit?
    3. What Jesus proceeded to say about John shows the Lord’s approval.
  3. Matthew 11.4–6 | Jesus’ Answer

    4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see 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 is not offended because of Me.”

    1. What was the answer of Jesus? Was it yes or no?
    2. What did Jesus offer as proof for His answer?
      1. Jesus is doing miracles.
      2. Jesus is preaching the good news.
    3. Why did Jesus add the blessing?
      1. Are some people offended in Him?
      2. If you are not offended in Him, what do you have?
  4. Matthew 11.7–15 | Jesus Testifies of John

    7 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning 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 clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he of whom it is written:

    ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
    Who will prepare Your way before You.’

    11 Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he 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 suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

    1. Notice how Jesus addressed the expectations of the people.
      1. Some expected a weak character.
      2. Some expected a wealthy man.
      3. Some expected to see a prophet.
    2. Was John a prophet?
      1. Was he more than a prophet?
      2. How was he more than a prophet?
      3. How did Jesus establishment that John was more than a prophet?
        1. He quoted Malachi 3.1.
        2. How did that passage identify John?
    3. Just how great was John?
      1. Why was he greater than any other person?
      2. Why are the least in the kingdom of heaven greater than John?
    4. What did the kingdom of heaven suffer?
    5. In verses 10–14, Jesus explained the greatness of John:
      1. He was the personal messenger of the Christ.
      2. He was greater in character.
      3. His preaching caused men to want to enter the kingdom of heaven, although they sought to do so by violence.
      4. He culminated the prophets.
      5. He was Elijah.
    6. Did Jesus want us to hear what He said about John?
      1. Why do we have to know this information?
      2. Why do we need to know anything before the cross of Christ?
  5. Matthew 11.16–19 | The Way of the Critic

    16 “But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, 17 and saying:

    ‘We played the flute for you,
    And you did not dance;
    We mourned to you,
    And you did not lament.’

    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, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children” (Matthew 11.1–19).

    1. What commentary did Jesus have on that generation?
    2. Was that generation unique in those qualities?
    3. People criticize regardless of what you do:
      1. If you play the flute, they do not dance.
      2. If you mourn, they do not lament.
      3. If you refrain from eating and drinking, they criticize you.
      4. If you eat and drink, they criticize you.
    4. What did Jesus mean that wisdom is justified by her children?
      1. What is the context?
      2. Shall we judge someone by their critics or by what they produce?