Prepare His Kingdom Series

Matthew 11:2-11 [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." [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. (ESV)

Do you have all your Christmas shopping done? Some people finish their Christmas shopping during boxing day sales. In some ways we admire those who are so prepared that they finish all their shopping early. What kind of person is that organized? As we all know, the later you do your shopping, the let less options you have. Delayed shopping has consequences.

Expectations can have a tremendous bearing on Christmas. We have expectations of particular gifts, events and even rewards. On these, if the outcome does not match our expectations, then we will be disappointed. But, if the issue resolves around eternal realities, then our expectations can have eternal consequences.

We see in the Gospel of Matthew, in terms of expectations, that John the Baptist is concerned because his present imprisonment does not match his understanding of the arrival of the Messiah which was to bring blessing on those who repented and judgment on those who did not (cf. Mt. 3:11). Jesus’ ministry, however, is in line with prophetic promises about the time of salvation, as seen especially in these descriptions that recall the words of Isaiah (Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 1842). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.) In Matthew 11, the glorious character of the kingdom of (Heaven) comes into view and then in turn the reality of judgment for those who reject it (Hagner, D. A. (2002). Vol. 33A: Word Biblical Commentary: Matthew 1-13. Word Biblical Commentary (299). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.)

Christmas season reminds us about the reality of a Kingdom. John the Baptist's questions of Jesus help us to focus on the reality of meeting Christ face to face and if we are ready. Understanding who Jesus is, and being an obedient citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven is being a ready citizen of that Kingdom.

To "Prepare His Kingdom" John the Baptist inquires about Jesus' Kingship through 1) The Request (Matthew 11:2-3), 2) The Reply (Matthew 11:4-6), and 3) The Recognition (Matthew 11:7-11)

1) The Request (Matthew 11:2-3)

Matthew 11:2-3 [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?" (ESV)

King Herod, also known as Herod Antipas, had imprisoned John the Baptist (4:12). Herod..had married his own sister-in-law, and John the Baptist had publicly rebuked Herod’s blatant sin (Barton, B. B. (1996). Matthew (pp. 218–219). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.). John was expecting an imminent end of the age involving the judgment of the wicked (Matthew 3:12). He had heard rumors of messianic-like deeds performed by Jesus. The phrase is comprehensive and is intended to summarize all of Jesus’ activity in word and deed (4:23–9:35). While Matthew is quite definite about the messianic nature of Jesus’ deeds (calling him the “Christ”=Messiah), John’s inquiry indicates that Jesus’ activity did not immediately settle in his mind the identity question (Chouinard, L. (1997). Matthew. The College Press NIV commentary (Mt 11:2). Joplin, Mo.: College Press.)

John's expectations are called into question because his wicked captors had not yet been judged and he had not yet experienced the fulfillment of the messianic promise of “liberty to the captives” (Isa 61:1; and even more vividly, Isa 42:7). He continued to sit in the prison of Herod Antipas (in the fortress of Machaerus, east of the Dead Sea, according to Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 18.5.2) and thus could only send his disciples (cf 9:14; 14:12) to Jesus with his question (Hagner, D. A. (2002). Vol. 33A: Word Biblical Commentary : Matthew 1-13. Word Biblical Commentary (300). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.).