Part 41 | Criticism, Indifference, and Repentance

Matthew 11:7–18 (ESV)

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? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written,

“ ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way before you.’

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. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

“ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;

we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’

Review

For several months we’ve been on a journey through book of Matthew, where we have seen that, as Israel’s Messiah, Jesus has come to inaugurate God’s Kingdom upon the earth—to bring hope and salvation to His people.

In chapter 4:23 Matthew summarizes Jesus’ Ministry—namely that Jesus went about proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom and doing the work of the Kingdom.

Chapters 5-7 - Sermon on the Mount - Jesus’ teaching on the Kingdom of God

Chapters 8 and 9 - Jesus shows that He is the Messiah by performing all kinds of miracles.

In chapter 10, Jesus sends his 12 disciples out to do the work of the ministry.

Now, chapters 11 and 12 focus on peoples’ different responses to Jesus.

Main Consideration Today: How have you responded to Jesus? Have you rejected Him, have you been indifferent towards Him, or have you embraced Him? It’s really worth thinking about, because the answer to that question (as we will see in the text today) is the difference between hope and despair, blessing and cursing, life and death.

The Last Message: John the Baptist Responded to Jesus Inquisitively

A) He had doubts about Jesus’ being the true Messiah. Why ?

He had misconceptions about what the Messiah would do.

The word of the Lord that came to John promised God’s blessings on those who would repent and God’s judgement on those would not repent. He expected this to happen immediately.

And now, John—who has repented—is imprisoned and awaiting his impending death, while wicked Herod—who refuses to repent—seems to be living life to the fullest.

If Jesus was truly the Messiah, how could He let his forerunner suffer in prison, and not deal with the wicked ruler, Herod.