February 04, 2025 | Be God's Family
Jesus Describes the Identity of John the Baptist
Scripture: Matthew 11:1-19(NIV)
1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:
“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.
16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
17 “‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not mourn.’
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
Devotional
In the last book of the Old Testament, the Lord promised, “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction” (Malachi 4:5-6). Four hundred years later, John the Baptist fulfilled that prophecy.
Honestly, John wasn’t much to see. He wasn’t a well-dressed, well-rehearsed orator. His message caused quite a stir, including his own arrest and eventual execution. But John’s purpose was clear: to prepare the way for Jesus.
Sandwiched around this discussion about the identity of John the Baptist are snippets about the identity of Jesus. This passage begins with John wondering if Jesus is the “one who is to come.” Jesus tells John’s disciples to report all the ways people’s lives are being restored. The passage ends with Jesus reminding His own followers that the religious authorities discredited Him for how He lived and the company He kept.
Neither John nor Jesus lived up to the expectations of the religious leaders of their day. John was too reclusive. Jesus was too worldly. Both fulfilled what was spoken in “all the Prophets and the Law” (the entire Old Testament). But the scholars of those writings just couldn’t, or wouldn’t, see it.
From what you know, what is your summary of who John the Baptist was?
Poem
A King Who Will Reign
Psalm 2
They scream and they shout
They stir up great fear
The nations grab greedily
Land on this sphere
Each mocks loud the other
Each claims to have power
Their dominance, though,
Last only an hour
Determined by God
The true ruler above
Who sways forth His will
Who works only in love
His secrets, none know,
As presumptions are dashed
God raises a vanguard
All the nations to smash
A prophet, a priest,
And a king for all ages
Determined beforehand
And whispered to sages
Who hold this great weapon
In hearts’ prophecy
Which slowly unfolds
For the whole world to see
A true and new Adam
A king who will reign
Establishing Eden
True splendor regained
