Culver Community Church
Pastor Chris Sweeney
Sermon Notes
February 04, 2018
Matthew 11:1–15 – God’s Messenger Before Messiah
{vs. 1} The twelve Apostles have been sent off to minister and now Jesus heads out to teach and preach Himself. The grammar is not very specific and there is some argument as to whether Jesus a) went to the Apostles home towns, b) followed behind them (using them as advance men) or c) went to generic towns in Galilee. You may choose because it’s really not important – if it was, God would have filled in this blank for us!
{vs. 2-6} Matthew first noted John’s arrest in chapter four, but we will see the full story of his imprisonment and eventual beheading in chapter fourteen. John was God’s foretold messenger, preparing the way for Messiah. Prophets foretold that he would go before the Lord, an angel announced it to Zachariah as he served at the altar of incense in the temple, he was miraculously conceived and delivered, and Holy Spirit inspired from his mother’s womb. By all rights, John should have been a priest born into the Levitical line, however after his elderly parents’ death (probably when John was still young), he went out on his own. This is the prophet who wore camel hair with a leather belt, who only ate locusts and honey and who lived out in the wilderness, under the stars. He spent all of his life alone, communing with God – hearing the message and being prepared to deliver that message. John came onto the scene, proclaiming the Kingdom of God, calling for repentance and baptizing in the power and spirit of Elijah (another bold prophet who never pulled his punches, standing defiantly before the king with God’s truth). That is what got John into trouble (prison) – John had told Herod, to his face and in public that it was not right for him to have his brother’s wife. (Herod had gone to Rome to visit his brother, became enamored with his wife, seduced her and brought her back to live with him in sin.)
Herod would probably have killed John, but the people were fascinated by him and held him in high regard (Matthew 21:26) and Herod also had reservations, believing him to be a prophet. So, this man of the wild Judean desert was now thrown into prison (Machaerus, an old, Herodian palace that had been turned into a fortress). John’s cell was a pit, a dark, stifling, hot dungeon at the bottom of this fortress in the middle of that bleak desert on the edge of the Dead Sea. This must have been torment to a man who lived wild and free like John! The whole purpose of his life was to minister to prepare the way, but now his voice had been silenced. However, now his time in the pit is almost as long as his time in the spotlight. John would have expect the Messiah that he served to set the prisoners free (Isaiah 51:14) – and we can see how he would have wanted to be the first in line! Much like Elijah who fell into fear and depression after God’s enormous victory at Mt. Carmel, John was questioning everything he knew. When John baptized Jesus, he saw the Holy Spirit descend and remain on Him. John repeatedly declared that Jesus was “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!” and “God's Chosen One.” (John 1)
I don’t know about you, but that gives me hope – if John the Baptist (who we will hear Jesus Himself call the greatest of men in just a few verses) can fall into doubt, then I don’t feel so bad. We all have times when we question our beliefs - times that push our faith, when trying circumstances, that evil thought or a worldly voice whispered in our ear causes us to reevaluate. We need faith to please God and faith is needed because we don’t see the whole picture – we don’t get the full revelation and sometimes God just doesn’t do it the way we imagine He should! Has God disappointed you lately, done something that you didn’t expect or just taken too much time (in your opinion) to address your needs (prayers or wants)? Even John, the prophet of God did not understand – 1 Peter 1:10-11 tells us that the old testament prophets searched their own writings to understand what God was revealing through them! God’s thoughts are not our own and we cannot fully understand what He is doing – but we must have faith! Interestingly enough, scripture only talks about doubt as a problem for believers. If you or I do not have faith, how can Satan come against that faith? This faith is the most important battle in our lives, it is the way to enter the Kingdom and determines our victories and heavenly rewards! John shows us that God will not reject us when we wrestle with questions, but we, like John need to deal with them correctly – taking them to God!
By John’s imprisonment most of his disciples either went back to their ‘real lives’ or were transferred to Jesus however, we see that there remained some loyal devotees – loyal enough to visit the man of God in his pit. These remaining disciples followed Jesus, keeping John appraised of the deeds of the Messiah. It is these disciples who are sent with the question "Are you the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?" It was common Jewish belief that there would be multiple individuals to come before the messiah (not Biblical, but that’s how they dealt with their confusion). They couldn’t see two advents, one as a Suffering Servant opening the way into a spiritual kingdom and the other as a Triumphant King, bringing judgment and God’s reign to Earth. “The Coming One” (i.e. Psalm 40:7 & 118:26) is a messianic title - what John is asking is “Are You the Messiah?”
Jesus’ answer is instant and full of compassion for the fearful John. Luke’s account (7:21-22) says that Jesus began healing, restoring sight and casting out demons and then told them “"Go back and report to John what you hear and see”. That’s exactly where we started – John’s disciples telling him about Jesus’ ministry! Jesus didn’t give John any new or special revelation Jesus brought light to the revelation John already had. He shows John what He is doing and says compare Me to scriptures like Isaiah 35:4-6. You have all that you need to believe, stop doubting, stop listening to the devil and don’t be offended. If we take our doubts and honest questions to God, He will answer. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of Me." Jesus says to John, can you see Me for who I am – through your circumstances and incorrect expectations and assumptions – have faith, because I am the One scripture said was to come! I Am!
{vs. 7-14} Now that John’s disciples have gone off, Jesus addresses the crowd. He cannot let John’s moment of doubt spread to them. Do you know that doubt, fear, anger, bitterness – all of the emotions Satan pushes on us are contagious? If you hang around believers who are encouraging, speaking and singing songs it is easy to focus on God. However, if you or I hang around with angry birds, cowardly lions or the ‘woe is me’ club, before we know it, we’ll have our own memberships! Jesus asks the crowd about John – who was he? Not a reed swayed by the wind – a week man, moved by every changing wind of opinion or emotion. This was a natural image they would understand. John stood tall, alone and defiant to the culture. Not a ‘fancy man’ in fine clothes – no, this was a prophet, a strong man declaring God’s message! Just as it is written of Messiah's herald in Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1. Jesus literally says “John is the greatest!” Of all God’s prophets, only John the Baptist could point and say “Behold the Lamb of God”, only John could reach out and touch Him – baptize Him! He is the last of the Old Testament Prophets! However even the least of the Kingdom is greater than he – what a statement! I don’t care if you are the worst backslidden Christian of our generation – if you are saved you have the Holy Spirit of God living within you. Spurgeon said “the darkest day is lighter than the brightest night”. John was the brightest of those pointing to the Kingdom (born of woman – meaning natural born or human) but now the Kingdom has come – enter in!
This Kingdom is what John preached; it is what Jesus offered. Since John came on the scene Satan and this world have been doing their best to defeat it – violently attacking it (that’s why John is in that pit!) However, the Kingdom keeps advancing and any who will be forceful enough can enter in! Does this mean we have to work for God’s grace – no, heaven forbid! But there is a struggle – can you receive by faith what Jesus is offering? Can you take up your cross to suffer the attacks of this world and persevere? I pray that everyone here is ready to take that stand, to be aggressive enough to hold onto Jesus no matter what may come because He wants to hold onto you! Praise God that is what really counts – Jesus’ strength, His ability to keep us because if it depended on our strength, we’d all be lost!
{vs. 15} “Whoever has ears, let them hear.” A proverbial form of speech often used by Jesus after important sayings (first time in Matthew). Jesus assumes that we don’t just have ears to hold up our glasses or to poke earrings through. What He is saying is “Listen up!” This is my message – John is God’s Messenger, I am the Messiah and today is your opportunity to enter the Kingdom!