Chronological Gospels: Matthew 11
This week we are diving into Matthew 11, where we jump right in to read about John the Baptist sending messengers to Jesus. John is in prison and while there sends messengers to ask Jesus if He is really the One they have been waiting for. Why would John doubt? He had been so sure before, and now he is asking to make sure Jesus really is who John thinks He is.
Jesus tells John’s disciples to report back to John with what they have seen Jesus do and heard Him say. Before sending them on their way He says that those who are not offended by Him are blessed.
What about Jesus’ statement to John’s disciples stands out to you the most and why? What does this tell you about Jesus?
Jesus then turns His attention to the crowd and begins to talk to them about John. He highly esteems John and tells the people that John is the messenger they’d been taught in Malachi 3:1 would come ahead of the Messiah and also compares John to Elijah.
What does this teach you about God and His promises?
Jesus then proceeds to rebuke the people. He was pointing out that the people, who had been waiting for Him to come, were now merely wanting Him to do their bidding and desires, and when He doesn’t do what they expect they who say He had a demon, or that He was drunk – they would not believe He was the Messiah because He didn’t fit their expectations.
When was a time you doubted or failed to repent because God didn’t do what you wanted or expected?
Jesus makes it crystal clear that failure to repent is a serious offense against Him and therefore against God. Those who fail to repent will eventually be thrown down. He takes this opportunity to drive home that disobedience and failure to recognize Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah will have severe consequences.
He then transitions to explain to them that He is the only source of true knowledge, wisdom, and rest. He extends an invitation to them, and to all generations thereafter, to come to Him and lay our burdens at His feet, learn from Him, and find rest in Him. He offers us spiritual rest that we all are in such desperate need of.
How has this offer made a difference in your own life?
When we truly seek wisdom, guidance, peace and rest from God, He will grant it at the right time, place, and way. We are invited to call on Him, to rest in Him, and to trust in Him to provide all that we need. We tend to think only about physical things, but here we see Jesus place this needed emphasis on our spiritual condition.
What burdens do you need to bring to Jesus and exchange for His rest?
