2. John the Baptist Matthew 11:1-19

3. Verse 1 John was a “man sent from God” (Jn. 1:6) [read text] {also found in Luke 7:18-35} This is connective to the previous chapter The twelve have been sent forth Jesus remains in Galilee and continues teaching and preaching on His own

4. Verses 2-4 John is in prison (Matt. 4:12) John’s disciples report to him (Lk. 7:18) John sent two disciples (Lk. 7:19)

5. John’s inquiry has confounded many for centuries Is this to bolster John’s faith? John knew of Jesus (Jn. 1:19-37) NTL, some reassuring might be welcome, given John’s situation Is this for the benefit of his disciples? John’s disciples must not remain devoted to and following John “He must increase, but I must decrease” (Jn. 3:30) Note: “What you see and hear”

6. Verses 5-6 Luke 7:21 tells us what they saw (cf. Isa. 35:5-6) “The poor have the gospel preached to them” Not only His message (Jn. 7:46) But His audience Poor might often be overlooked Jesus did not (Lk. 4:18; cf. Isa. 61:1)

7. Blessed if you do not stumble “Offense” means something different today NT meaning is “to be an obstacle; occasion of stumbling (being tripped up); falling” Some were offended in this sense: Superficial disciples (Matt. 13:21) Friends and neighbors (Matt. 13:57) Religious leaders (Matt. 15:12) Even His disciples (Matt. 26:31)

8. Today folks are offended by Jesus because He does not agree with them “Too narrow minded” “Not politically correct” “Too harsh” “Doesn’t offer universal salvation”

9. Verses 7-14 John did not meet expectations A man who was earthy and plain (Matt. 3:11) A man who was a prophet (Isa. 40:3; Mal. 3:1) The OT prophets foresaw Jesus; John actually beheld Jesus

10. Greatest of Prophets due to His work The announcement, nature, and coming of the kingdom will meet various measures of opposition “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord” (Mal. 4:5; Lk. 1:17)

11. Verses 15 Listen up! Expression used other times by Jesus What choice do we make? (2 Tim. 4:4)

12. Verses 16-19 A poignant lesson about fickleness “This generation” = “I mean you!” Children playing “copy-cat” games Likewise John and Jesus could not satisfy Both John and Jesus performed as they were sent by the wisdom of God. What they taught and did is all the justification (or vindication) necessary