December 27th – Matthew 11:1-18

December 27th – Matthew 11:1-18

Spend some time meditating on these verses. Then, come back and read the commentary, my verse, and my response to God.

• Request God’s help.
• Read Matthew 11:1-19
• Record a verse that stands out to you.
• Respond to God.

Come back and read the commentary when you’re done.

Did you catch the meaning of verse one? Jesus sent the Apostles out from their cities, and then He proceeded to preach and teach in their cities. Yes, Jesus went to fill the void in the very cities the Apostles left. Our Savior is undeniably exceptional and surprising.

Then, Jesus is visited by the disciples of John the Baptist with some questions. While John sat in prison, he started to doubt.

Um, weren’t you supposed to set the captives free? He may have thought. So, are You the One, or shall we look for someone else? But Jesus’ response was one of encouragement and conviction. Go and report what you hear and see (prophecy fulfilled), and tell John he will be blessed if he is not offended by Me.

However, Jesus made it clear that John was outstanding. He fulfilled the role of the last Old Testament prophet who came in the Spirit of Elijah–a messenger to prepare the way for Messiah. Jesus told the crowd that the Law and the prophets (who were all persecuted) pointed to Jesus. And John, the last of the prophets, would also be martyred, making way for a New Covenant of grace and the birth of the Church.

How can you relate to John the Baptist and his disciples in this passage?

My Verse: Matthew 11:18-19 “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ 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.”

My Response: Man is always dissatisfied. We seek entertainment, love, or healing, but it never fills the void. Then, we turn to God and say, “You’re not doing what I want.” My goodness not much has changed in two thousand years. We are fickle and expect Jesus to perform for us, judging His motives and wondering why He bothers with some people at all. While John was chaste, he was called a crazy man. When Jesus loved all people well, He was accused of being demon-possessed. Yes, we are fickle, self-centered, and sad. But “…at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly… God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8 NIV). May we never forget.

Father, Your blunt love always surprises me. Your provision for me and my family is over-the-top gracious. You provided Yourself for a sacrifice for the Apostles as they set out on a mission, and You provide Yourself as a sin sacrifice for me today. Thank you for reminding me that You are God and King, my LORD and Savior, and I am Your servant. Send me, Lord, send me. Amen.