THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS ABOUT JOHN.
Matthew 11:1-19.
MATTHEW 11:1. In this verse we discover the whole purpose of Christian witness and mission. The places to which - and more importantly the people to whom - the Lord was sending His disciples were the very same places and people that Jesus had on His own itinerary. Jesus sent His disciples ahead of Him, to what Matthew terms as “their” cities.
One way of viewing our Christian witness is to recognise that the mission of the church is a continuation of the Lord’s own work. The places and people to which the Lord is sending us are the same cities to which the Lord intends to come Himself. This puts a different light on evangelism: not only have we been equipped as witnesses to the incarnate Lord, but – like John the Baptist - we also proclaim the One who is to come.
MATTHEW 11:2-3. We do not know for sure why John the Baptist sent two of his disciples to speak with Jesus. Perhaps prison had knocked the wind out of his sails, and he wanted some reassurance that it had not all been in vain. Or perhaps it was for the benefit of the disciples themselves.
MATTHEW 11:4-5. Certainly, Jesus’ answer would be an encouragement to both John and his disciples. Now Jesus asked John’s disciples to witness for themselves: the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up - and along with these miracles there is one other: “the poor have the gospel preached to them.”
MATTHEW 11:6. Jesus reminded John, and the disciples of John, of the blessedness of “whosoever shall not be offended in me.”
MATTHEW 11:7-8. As John’s disciples set off back towards the prison-house, Jesus addressed the crowds who had gathered around Him: “What went ye out into the wilderness to see?”
John came preaching, and his message was not soft and woolly, but as abrasive as his raiment. No gentle words to tickle their ears drew the multitudes out of Jerusalem, Judaea, and the region about Jordan: but rather the straightforward declaration of the need for repentance, and the nearness of the kingdom of heaven. Then the King drew near, and John testified of Him.
MATTHEW 11:9-10. The one who had pointed towards Jesus now received a fitting tribute from his friend and cousin. Was he a prophet? Yes - and more than a prophet. This was the forerunner foreseen by the prophets of old.
MATTHEW 11:11. John the Baptist had been faithful in his ministry, and always pointed away from himself to the One who should come. There is none greater than John the Baptist, says Jesus.
MATTHEW 11:12. John was not one for wavering, but rather of the calibre of those whose passionate forthrightness was even now taking the kingdom of heaven by storm.
MATTHEW 11:13. “All the prophets and the law prophesied until John,” but now the Baptist straddled the ages. As last in the line of prophets pointing toward our Lord Jesus Christ, he became the foremost amongst them.
MATTHEW 11:14. Indeed, if you will receive it, “this is Elijah that is to come.” And now that Jesus was come, John’s ministry was drawing towards its completion. The time was drawing nigh when “Elijah” must lay down his mantle.
MATTHEW 11:15. “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” The ears need to hear the herald – but more than this, our ears need to hear Jesus. Our greatest priority in life is to attend to what He says. And hearing, to receive His word into our hearts, and to live it out in our lives.
MATTHEW 11:16-17. The children were out in the market place, wanting to play in the streets. ‘Let’s play weddings,’ suggested the girls: but the boys would not. ‘Let’s play funerals,’ countered the boys: but the girls would not.
MATTHEW 11:18. A preacher came, austere in his appearance, sparing in his diet, and uncompromising in his message. ‘Too serious,’ complained the people: “he hath a devil.” Yet that preacher was the herald and forerunner of the Saviour of the World.
MATTHEW 11:19. Another preacher came, eating and drinking like any other man. ‘Too much levity,’ complained the people: after all, He allowed the congregation to invite “publicans and sinners” to parties, and personally sat at table with them. Yet that preacher is the Saviour of the World.
There is no pleasing some people. If they make up their minds not to put their trust in Jesus, any excuse will suffice to prevent commitment. Yet the true Wisdom is revealed to - and in - the children of God.
