Matthew 11:1-15

About the Text

(2) Why did John the Baptist wonder if Jesus was the Messiah? Because Jesus did not yet fulfill some of John's expectations. In Matthew 3:7-12, he expected Jesus to destroy the unrepentant and baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (see also Mark 1:7-8; Luke 3:7-9, 15-18). John had not seen Jesus do any of these works yeL For this reason, and because John may have grown discouraged in prison, John questioned Jesus.
Have you ever questioned the truth about Jesus when He didn't meet your expectations? Have you ever doubted because of discouragement? John the Baptist doubted. Yet God used him powerfully to proclaim the truth to the world.

(6) Why did Jesus say, "Blessed the man who does not fall away..."? Jesus is encouraging John the Baptist to stay steadfast and firm in bis faith.

(7-11) If John the Baptist doubted, why then did Jesus speak so highly of him in these verses? Perhaps the crowd began to pity John, seeing that he was poor, jailed, silenced, discouraged, doubtful, and losing popularity. To this Jesus in a sense replied, "What did you expect? A mink coat and a Rolls Royce?" Then Jesus explains that John was a great prophet.

(11) If John the Baptist was such a great prophet, then why does Jesus say "yet he who is least In the kingdom of heaven is greater than he"? Because those who belong to Christ's new kingdom (Christians) are more blessed than those who only belonged to the age of the Old Testament (John the Baptist). John was a great man for sure, being last in the line of Old Testament prophets, with the task of announcing Christ's coming, but he had yet to experience Christ's death and resurrection. On the other hand, the insignificant litfie Christian who truly believes in Jesus Christ fully benefits from Christ's death and resurrection. For example, we have the lull comfort, joy, peace, and special abilities of the Holy Spirit (which John didn't have). We have full pardon and forgiveness of sins (Old Testament people didn't). We have God's
promise of being resurrected (which John probably didn't know of). We are also given the ability to lead changed lives. These are some of the blessings of being "in the kingdom," that is, a Christian. This is why Hebrews 11:3940 says of the saints of the old covenant era, "These were all conunended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us sothat only together with us would they be made perfect."

(12) What is the "kingdom of heaven," and what did Jesus mean that it is "forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it"? The "kingdom of heaven" is Matthew's terrn for the "kingdom of God" that Jesus speaks of in the books of Luke, Mark, and John. The kingdom of God is a realm where Christ rules and its citizens include Christians. It is lull of rightcousness (Maft 6:33), and full of power (11:12). Only those with the Holy Spirit can be a part of it (John 3:5). It is largely invisible right now (Luke 17:20- 21), which only the born-again can sce (John 3:3). When Christ comes back, this kingdom will be completed. (v. 20 & 21).
The kingdom of God is such a glorious thing, that "forceful men lay hold of it," that is, some people go hog wild just to get in. In other words, when a Christian realizes how wondefful his new life really is, he cannot help but to enjoy it, latch onto it, and never let it go. Can you sense this "kingdom of heaven" around you? Do you rejoice that you're a part of it, or do you just say, "ho, hum"?

(14) Why does Jesus say that John is Elijah, when in John 1:21 he says he is not? Luke 1:17 says that John the Baptist came "in the spirit and power of Elijah." In other words, he came in lulfillment of the prophecy about Elijah. In this sense, John was Eh.'ah. But in a physical sense, John was not Elijah.

Memory Verses

My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor. 12:7)

Insights

• Jesus often uses the weak, broken, poor, discouraged, beaten, and even the doubting to do His most powerful work. (v.2, 7-9)
• The well-known stories of Jesus' mighty deeds lift the soul more than we think. (v. 4-6)
• Jesus' kingdom is powerfully advancing around us, though we may not always see it. (v. 11,12)
  
  

The Bottom Line

Chill out, and cheer up! Jesus' death and resurrection have earned for us blessings that we often forget, or cannot see right now.