IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Jesus Explains John's Mission

Date: May. 16, 2021

Passage

Matthew 11:1-19 (ESV)

When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 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. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

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. 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.

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.”

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 11:11

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.

1. Jesus reassures John's disciples (11:1-6)

From prison, John the Baptist sent his disciples to Jesus to ask him if he was the promised Messiah. Even someone as great as John can fall into doubt. Jesus told John's disciples to observe the work of God going on through him and decide. Jesus let his actions speak for themselves. The work of God comes with persecution, but we can avoid falling away when we focus on the good things Jesus is doing among us.

2. Jesus addresses the crowd (11:7-19)

Jesus challenged the crowd about their response to John. John the Baptist was the greatest of God's human servants; yet he did not exist for himself, but to point the way to Jesus. It's better to enter the Kingdom of Heaven through Jesus than to be like John the Baptist. Jesus' style of ministry was different from John's, but people who were not willing to repent criticized both of them. God can use all kinds of people to teach his wisdom; the important thing is that we come to Jesus.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me overcome my discouragement by looking at the work of God going on today.

One Word: See God's good work.

Daily Bread

Victory and Final Judgment

Revelation 20:1-15

Key Verse: 20:15

And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

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