Matthew 11:1-19 (Luke 7:18-35)
Jesus is once again traveling, preaching and teaching. John hears all about Jesus while he's in prison. John tells two of his own disciples to go and ask Jesus to either confirm or deny that He is really the promised Messiah. Jesus tells the disciples to go back and report to John what they've seen for themselves. Jesus then turns to the crowd and asks them what they had expected of John. Did they expect a weak man who couldn't be counted on to keep his story straight; or did they expect a well-dressed, smooth talker? John IS a prophet, foretold by both Isaiah (40:3) and Malachi (3:1) No prophet is greater than John because He got to be the voice proclaiming that Jesus is here!! But even the least in the Kingdom of Heaven will be :greater" than John because they will be reconciled to God under the new promise, the sacrifice of Christ Jesus.
Jesus "can't even" with the generation He's born into. Nothing seems to impress them, they are easily swayed but not rooted in anything. They said John was demon-possessed because he lived a solitary life; then they said Jesus was an over-eater and drunkard because He hung out with the outcasts. But Jesus, John, and the crowd will all be known by their "children", the good or bad that comes out of their actions.
John has been a "voice in the wilderness" proclaiming Jesus' coming and arrival. He has his own disciples, and he baptized Jesus the Messiah. Yet in this you can hear his faith wavering when he asks "Is it really you, or should we keep looking?" Jesus doesn't get mad at John's question, but rehearses to him all that He is doing. I don't want to be known as one of the generation who cannot be impressed by all Jesus has done, I want to rehearse the goodness of God through Christ Jesus. And may that lead me into a wisdom that produces unwavering faith in the One who lovingly answers all of my questions.
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