The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 11 Part 1 A Right Response When We Have Doubts

Jesus sent His disciples to preach the gospel and He also departed to preach it.

Matthew 11:1  And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. 

This is one of those texts which connects the previous chapter.

All of chapter ten focused on Jesus' instructions to His disciples in preparation for gospel ministry.

Chapter ten ended with Jesus' promise that when He sent them out to preach, the disciples would be rewarded for their gospel ministry.

Thus, this text wraps up the previous chapter.

Jesus finished giving detailed instructions to His disciples and He sent them forth to preach the gospel.

Jesus then departed to preach the gospel in other places.

John the Baptist had a question that he wanted Jesus to respond to.

Matthew 11:2-3  Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3)  And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? 

After Jesus departed and arrived at a certain place, two followers of John the Baptist came to Christ with a question.

We may wonder why John did not come to see Jesus in person but the text below shows that the Baptist was held in prison.

John the Baptist was imprisoned which is why he sent two disciples to ask Jesus a question.

Luke 3:19-20  But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, 20)  Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison. 

John the Baptist was in prison at this time but he had not yet been beheaded by wicked king Herod.

Why was John imprisoned? Because he told Herod that he was guilty of committing adultery with his sister in law.

This incited Herod's wrath and he put John into jail.

John instructed his disciples to ask Jesus a question.

John wanted to know if Jesus was indeed the Messiah or if they should look for another man to emerge.

There is a lot of opinion about why John wanted to ask Jesus this question.

Some careful commentators think that John's own ignorance prompted this question but that view does not square with what we know of John from scripture.

John did not ask this question because of ignorance for he knew Jesus was the Son of God.

John 1:29-34  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. 30)  This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. 31)  And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. 32)  And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33)  And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34)  And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. 

This is a Holy Spirit inspired record of John the Baptist's testimony about Jesus Christ.

John openly declared that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world by the sacrifice of Himself.

John's statement connects Jesus with the Passover Lamb that foreshadows His coming as a Lamb to give His life that we might live.

John the Baptist did not know Jesus beforehand but he was told that Christ would come to him for baptism, and that it would be revealed to him at that moment.

As promised, when Jesus was baptized, John saw the Spirit of God descend upon Christ in the form of a dove. 

The Holy Spirit came to Christ and the Father's voice from heaven declared Jesus' deity.

Mark 1:10-11  And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: 11)  And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 

John also heard the Father's voice from heaven declare that Jesus is "My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."

Thus, John's gospel tells us that John the Baptist concluded that Jesus "is the Son of God."

John also knew that Christ's ministry would increase and expand while his own ministry as the forerunner of Messiah, would decrease (See John 3:26-36).

Therefore, it is not correct to assert that John was somehow ignorant of who Jesus was since he confessed Christ as Messiah and Son of God.

Why did he ask this question?

The answer seems to be rooted in the kind of Messiah the Jews were looking for.

Daniel's vision of an omnipotent, omniscient victorious Messiah.

Daniel 7:9-14  I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. 10)  A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. 11)  I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. 12)  As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. 13)  I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14)  And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. 

The Old Testament prophets spoke of a suffering Messiah and a conquering Messiah (See Psalm 2; 22; Isaiah 53; Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 52:13-15; Zechariah 9:9 and many more).

The passage of scripture above is from Daniel's vision of the end times.

This text describes the Messiah the Jews were hoping to receive and when Jesus did not make plans to overthrow Rome, many people turned on Him, notably the Pharisees and Sadducees. 

Jesus is called the Ancient of Days in Daniel's vision and the prophet's description matches that of the apostle John in the book of Revelation.

The glory of the resurrected Son of God is on full display in heaven with all majesty and power.

The final judgment of God is carried out with no man or nation able to resist His omnipotent strength.

Heaven itself is populated with an unnumerable company of angels and cherubim and seraphim who spend each day worshiping God.

A vast host of saints, those who died believing and trusting God's salvation promise and provision, express triumphant praise and adoration such that heaven rings with their voices.

The same Jesus Christ will come in flaming fire taking vengeance on all who rejected His gospel, who mistreated His chosen people Israel and who persecuted His church (See 2 Thessalonians 1:4-10).

All the Old and New Testament prophets speak about a Messiah who would put down all rebellion against God,  and who would establish an eternal kingdom of righteousness. 

All prophets speak of a glorious, triumphant, swiftly conquering King who will bring final destruction upon all wicked sinners and nations.

Who would not long for such a Messiah?

It is evident that John the Baptist hoped Jesus was that kind of Messiah, just as Christ's disciples hoped for Him to establish His kingdom before Pentecost. 

In the time of Christ, Israel was under Roman bondage. 

Many Jews, especially Pharisees and Sadducees naturally wanted a Messiah who would conquer Rome and restore their freedom as an autonomous nation.

Even Jesus' own disciples still expected Jesus to set up His Kingdom on earth.

Acts 1:6-9  When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7)  And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8)  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9)  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 

Jesus' twelve disciples who were to be sent out as His apostles asked the Lord if He was going to restore the kingdom to Israel at this moment in time.

They thought that since Jesus was raised from the dead, that He would establish His kingdom.

At this point, Jesus' disciples did not yet know the plan of God for His church, that which was hid in Christ before the world was created.

Thus, Jesus told them to return to Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father to send His Spirit.

Acts chapter 2 is the historical narrative telling us how God's Spirit came and how the New Testament church was birthed.

Christ's church was a marvelous mystery hidden by God before anything was created.

Romans 16:25-27  Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26)  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27)  To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

They did not know anything about the church because that was a mystery hid in God in eternity past (See Ephesians 3:1-13; Colossians 1:24-29).

Paul tells us that era of the church from Pentecost until Christ returns, was a mystery, purposely hidden by God.

No one knew the Father's eternal plan of salvation and the inclusion of Gentiles into His kingdom.

Not doubt this is why the Devil thought he had the victory when Jesus laid down His life on the cross.

Yet, when Jesus arose from the grave, He openly triumphed over Satan and his demons (See Colossians 2:14-15).

Old Testament prophets had great trouble reconciling two distinct visions of Messiah.

1 Peter 1:10-11  Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11)  Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 

Even the prophets did not fully understand the visions and words they received from God.

It seemed to them to be a paradox where they spoke of a suffering Messiah and and victorious Messiah.

They asked God about this paradox of a suffering and victorious Messiah.

They searched all the other prophets writings carefully trying to understand what it all meant and how it impacted Israel and the Jewish people. 

The apostle Peter made it clear that the prophets saw both types of Messiah: a suffering one and a conquering one and this greatly puzzled them.

Jewish rabbis eventually took a position of teaching that Isaiah 53 did not apply to the Messiah. 

Their clearly wrong view certainly influenced what people thought Messiah would be like when He came.

Jesus' answer to John's question was remember my preaching and the mighty works I have done.

Matthew 11:4-6  Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5  The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6  And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

Jesus' answer to John's question was instructing John's disciples to return and tell their master what they heard from Jesus and what they saw Him do.

Jesus had raised the dead, cleansed lepers, restored sight to the blind, gave hearing to the deaf  and preached the glorious gospel to the poor in spirit.

Then, He tells them that those who are not ashamed of faith in Christ shall be blessed.

Paul told us that he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ because it is the power of God unto salvation to all who hear it, repent of their sins and trust Christ. 

There are many applications of these truths for us to think about.

Jesus did not rebuke John's disciples for asking a  question and this is good for us to know that if we have questions and take them to the Lord in prayer, He will not rebuke us.

Second, it is natural to have doubts about spiritual things and the right response is to take our doubts to the Lord in prayer and allow His Word and Spirit to remove our doubts.

Our wicked enemy is very good as causing us to doubt our standing before God, our salvation and eternal security.

He will tell us "You did not act like a Christian today, therefore you must not really be saved."

Our emotions may sway us into thinking that "I don't really feel saved today" but our emotions are flawed because of the fall.

The antidote to doubts or fears is our faith in Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

We must take our doubts to Christ for our salvation is secure in Him.

Paul told the unsaved Philippian jailor "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).

Romans 10:9-11  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Paul reminded us that when we confess our faith in Christ we shall be saved because the Lord will save all who call upon His name (See Romans 10:13).

Jesus pointed John to His Words and His works.

We have all Jesus's inspired Words that we can read every day.

We have the accurate account of all the numerous miracles that Jesus did while He walked on this planet.

Let us run to the scriptures and read the wonderful words of Jesus.

Let us run to the scriptures and read the awesome accounts of Christ's miracles.

Let us run to the scriptures to find answers to our doubts, fears or misgivings by receiving the consolation from Christ that we need.

We can be blessed by reading Jesus' words and we can be blessed by reading about the wonderful and powerful works He did.

This same all powerful, infinitely wise Jesus is our eternal high priest in heaven, our King, our Savior, and our Great Shepherd.

Let us rejoice in Jesus Christ and give glory to our Father and seek to be led by His indwelling Spirit day by day.

Bob