What Jesus Did

[Talking to the crowds about John the Baptist, Jesus continued:] "And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it."

—Matthew 11:12 NLT

Key Thought​

The Kingdom of God is powerful. But it has been, and will continue to be, under the attack of violent people. Opposition to John is a great reminder of this truth. The power of his message, the power of God's truth, the power of...

 

[Talking to the crowds about John the Baptist, Jesus continued:] "Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet."

—Matthew 11:9 NLT

Key Thought​

As Amos had prophesied, there was a famine in the land of God's people. It was a horrible famine. It was a long famine! It was a famine of hearing the word of the LORD. God's voice was not heard through his prophets. The passionate fire that once had spoken to Israel was a silent dying ember. God's chosen people...

 

As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. "What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces."

—Matthew 11:7-8 NLT

Key Thought​

Jesus' response to John's disciples did not imply that Jesus thought poorly of John, his ministry, or his faith. The things John cared most...

 

[Jesus continued his respond to John's question about whether he was the Messiah:] "God blesses those who do not fall away because of me."

—Matthew 11:6 NLT

Key Thought​

The answer to John's question to Jesus about his Messiahship helps prepare us for the road that lies ahead in Matthew's account about Jesus. Jesus will be repeatedly rejected and criticized for healing activities that follow. Hostility intensifies between Jesus and the religious powerbrokers of his day. They...

 

[In answer to the question from John's disciples about whether he was the Messiah,] Jesus told them, "Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen — the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor."

—Matthew 11:4-5 NLT

Key Thought​

John the Baptizer had preached about a fiery judgment on the enemies of God's people and a mighty Messiah who would bring deliverance...

 

John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, "Are you the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?"

—Matthew 11:2-3 NLT

Key Thought​

As John faced the struggle of his life, he maintained his integrity and faithfulness. His motivation was simply to know for sure that Jesus was who John believed him to be. He was not afraid to face death or doubt as he sought God's...

 

When Jesus had finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went out to teach and preach in towns throughout the region.

—Matthew 11:1 NLT

Key Thought​

For anyone who is easily distracted, the phrase "stay on task" is not only frustrating, but also extremely needed. It seems that almost everything in our modern lifestyles tends to push us into busy distractions. But Jesus remains on task. He is going to do the work the Father sent him to do. His...

 

[Jesus concluded his warning and instructions to the apostles when he sent them out:] "And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded."

—Matthew 10:42 NLT

Key Thought​

Little things, insignificant things, are used by Jesus to make huge differences. A cup of cold water is such a wonderful thing when you are thirsty, away from home, and need some time to rest and reflect. A gift of a cup of cold water is so powerful if it...

 

[Jesus continued his warning and instructions to the apostles when he sent them out:] "Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs."

—Matthew 10:40-41 NLT

Key Thought​

While the previous verses have been about the...

 

[Jesus continued his warning and instructions to the apostles when he sent them out:] "If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it."

—Matthew 10:38-39 NLT

Key Thought​

Far from being a decorative piece of jewelry, the cross in Jesus' day was something hideous and shameful. Roman citizens weren't allowed to be crucified. Decent citizens...