The Reactions to John and Jesus

Scripture Reading

Prayer

Review

Introduction

Ending of second discourse, beginning of narrative

The third discourse will be in chapter

This discourse will reveal different responses to the Word of God as revealed in the King Jesus in a world that does not acknowledge the kingdom

Over the next several weeks we are going to see varied responses to the arrival of the King and Messiah, Jesus. These serve as background to the coming discourse

Begin exposition (1-6)

Matthew 11:1–6 ESV

1 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. 2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

V. 1 transition, follows a basic pattern in Matthew for the end of discourses.

Vs. 2-3

John had been in prison for about a year

John was the forerunner to the Messiah

John had certain expectations of what the Messiah would be/do

Compare John’s expectations with those of the Pharisees

John’s focus was not on a physical kingdom but more on an immediate kingdom

He did not know that Jesus was going to have to die

Because John heard about Jesus’ ministry of healing, preaching and teaching, rather than judgment, he feared that perhaps he was mistaken

Vs. 4-6

In these verses, Jesus is referring to OT passages in Isaiah (35:5-6; 61:1 and others)

These are messianic and therefore His answer is a simple yes, but it is also deeper.

All of these passages (4) are in the context of coming Judgment. Jesus is essentially telling John that he is indeed a righteous Judge.

I. Jesus is the King who brings judgment and if you accept the truth of His message, you will be blessed (1-6)

Begin exposition (7-15)

Matthew 11:7–15 ESV

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written, “ ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered 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 accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

7-8

reed shaken by the wind, think grass. Essentially, a person who is easily swayed

“soft clothing” is essentially dress clothes, which is not what John wore

9-11

A “prophet” was true, but John was more than just any prophet

John was the subject of Prophecy himself

Jesus is referring to Malachi 3:1

Malachi 3:1 ESV

1 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.

Jesus is, through identifying John as Elijah, and the messenger of Malachi, He is identifying himself as the Lord whom is being sought.

Malachi goes on to prophesy about the Day of Yaweh.

Jesus is identifying himself with the Lord.

This shows how John the Baptist is special, it show that he is the forerunner to the Christ, the bringer of the day of the Lord

12

Essentially, there are enemies of the kingdom who seek to do it harm

13

Basically, John is the end of the line of prophets, and by extension, proclaims the transition to the new covenant

14-15

Elijah, implies last times

The challenge of Jesus is for all those here to accept His message.

II. John is blessed beyond those before him, yet if we hear, we are even more so (7-15)

What is it that we are to hear?

The Gospel

Begin exposition (16-19)

Matthew 11:16–19 ESV

16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, 17 “ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 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 at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”

16-17

Millennials

Constantly playing, yet never satisfied

18-19

John satisfied standards of righteousness and was rejected

Jesus did not satisfy false standards of righteousness and was rejected

III. Those who reject Christ don’t reject a lifestyle or a law, but rather, they reject the preaching of repentance(16-19)