Here in chapter eleven of Matthew, we find that John the Baptist was perplexed and perhaps discouraged. You know, sometimes we think of Bible characters as superhuman or super holy. But no, they were men and women, just like you and me. John the Baptist, the greatest man born of woman, was discouraged.
Now, he had served God faithfully and yet was in prison. His work was ended, and he was not sure that Jesus was ministering in the right way. When you find yourself in a similar situation, do what John did. Tell it to Jesus and wait for his word. John’s disciples did not hear Jesus praise their leader.
John was not a compromiser or a celebrity. He was God’s greatest prophet. John was in prison because of a cruel king and a crowd that was childish instead of childlike. Leave the judgment to the Lord and wait for him to fulfill his perfect plan. You may think you’ve failed, but God will see to it that your work is blessed.
Thank you, Lord. In fact, John won people to Jesus long after he was dead and buried. Surrender to Christ’s loving yoke and you will experience his perfect rest.
Genesis 32:13-34:31
Matthew 11:7-30
Psalm 14:1-7
Proverbs 3:19-20
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New Testament: Matthew 11:7-30
Summary:
Woe to Unrepentant Cities
Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest
least … is greater than he.
John was greater than the OT prophets because he actually saw with his eyes and personally participated in the fulfillment of what they only prophesied (Mat 11:10, Mat 11:13; 1Pe 1:10-11). But all believers after the cross are greater still, because they participate in the full understanding and experience of something John merely foresaw in shadowy form—the actual atoning work of Christ.
Capernaum … exalted … brought down.
Capernaum, chosen by Jesus to be His headquarters, faces an even greater condemnation. Curiously, there is no record that the people of that city ever mocked or ridiculed Jesus, ran Him out of town, or threatened His life. Yet the sin of that city—indifference to Christ—is worse than Sodom’s gross wickedness (cMat 10:15).
What a warning. Don’t take this lightly as if it is not speaking to us. People in the USA have had the benefit of hearing the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ more than anyone. We will be held accountable.
Overview: Matthew 1-13 – Click Here
Grace to You
Gospel ministry, evangelism, demands honesty. It demands that we tell sinners the whole truth, not part of it, but all of it. And this kind of gospel honesty is the only acceptable ministry as far as our Lord is concerned; anything less than this falls short of our calling. And the truth is, honestly, that the gospel is both glorious and dangerous. It is eternally enriching, and it is eternally ruining. The gospel has the power to compound joys everlastingly and to compound sorrows everlastingly. The gospel will escalate pure pleasure forever or escalate pure pain forever. After hearing the gospel with a measure of understanding, no sinner is the same – no, not in time, and certainly not in eternity.
Exposure to the gospel makes sinners better or it makes them worse; doesn’t leave them the same. No one who understands the gospel and its claims and its commands remains the same in time or in eternity.
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