Matthew 11

Read Matthew 11

Followers of John the Baptist were sent to Jesus with a question: “Are You the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” Jesus replied with the evidence that proved His identity. He was performing the signs of the Messiah as predicted in Isaiah 29:18-19. “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight … and the deaf hear.”

Earlier in Isaiah 29 the Old Testament prophet spoke to Israel regarding the battle between the scribal Judaism of the Pharisees and the miraculous works of the Christ (Isaiah 29:13-14). “This people … honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me.” They were more devoted to man-made commandments than to the Word of God.

John had prepared the way for the coming of the Son of God (Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3). The leaders of Israel did not appreciate John and they were also ready to reject Jesus. John had appeared in the desert as the future “Elijah” and Jesus was the Messiah that John pointed to, but many people invented reasons to be disappointed with both of them.

Jesus, as John himself knew, was the far greater Servant. All who had “ears to hear” should have been able to conclude that this miracle worker was the Christ that Isaiah had written about so many centuries earlier. This same ambassador had also prepared them for the truth of the future suffering and death of the Christ at the hands of those who hated Him (Isaiah 50:4, 53:3-9).

The “Lord of heaven and earth” reveals the truth of Jesus to “little children” who receive Him as their Savior. The great God/Man who is fully sovereign over all creation, together with His Father, invites the lost to find their wholeness in Him. “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Almighty God, You sent Your Son to teach and to perform the signs of the Messiah. Why should anyone have been offended by Him? John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus so long ago, and down to the present hour people are still coming into Your Kingdom. Men and women all over the earth have discovered truths in Your Word that prophets of old longed to see. They hear about Your Son’s mighty works and believe that He is the Anointed One. We too come to Him again this day, and in Him we find rest for our souls.