Jesus Describes the Identity of John & Himself

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-19, Luke 7:18-35 (NIV)

Matthew 11:1-19
After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 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. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” 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? 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. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 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. 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. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. Whoever has ears, let them hear. “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: “‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 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.”

Luke 7:18-35
John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’” At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: 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. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” After John’s messengers left, 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? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.) Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: “‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’ For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

Devotional

From prison, John the Baptist heard about the signs and wonders Jesus was doing. So he sent messengers to Jesus to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:3). The question clearly has messianic implications.

Jesus answered by saying He was actually doing (Luke 7:22) what He had said He would do (see Luke 4:18-22), which is a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy (see Isaiah 58:6-7; 61:1-3). If John’s real question was, “Are you the Messiah?” then Jesus’ real answer was, “Absolutely!”

Still, the religious leaders refused to believe in Jesus (Luke 7:30). The austere life of John did not make them weep and repent; the miraculous life of Jesus did not make them dance and believe. Their hearts were hard and their eyes were closed. These religious scholars couldn’t see what was right in front of them.

Indeed, Jesus said that John was the greatest man who ever lived (far above the religious elite). Yet in God’s kingdom, even John is nothing compared to the deaf, blind, lame, diseased, or poor person who has received the good news. Neither spiritual elitism nor violent authoritarianism (Matthew 11:12) has any power to stand up to the gospel of God.

Do you believe that Jesus is who He said He was? Do you believe that He is God’s Messiah? Do you trust in Him for your salvation? Are you following Him with your life?

Pray this prayer: Dear Jesus, I believe in you. Come into my life and save me from myself. Make me a new person. Show me your will. Empower me to do it. Amen.

Poem

Are You The One?

When first I was called to the speaking for you
My heart swelled with passion.
I had so much energy, discipline.
Even able to fast and wait patiently.
I was so close, so tied to the promise
It never crossed my mind to ask,
Are you the One?

As I rose in my career as a prophet
Yelling out against injustice
Proclaiming judgment and begging repentance
I felt your Spirit's power upon me.
I could speak truth to even the most powerful
And I never would have doubted
You are the One.

That day you came personally to me
That day you entered my little parish,
My little flock beside the baptismal waters
I said to my most cherished ones,
"There He is, the One for whom we have all waited!
Run to him, learn from him, stay with him.
He is the One!

Oh, what joy! What rapture to have you in our midst!
Oh, what grace! To hear your voice from heaven!
Oh, what miracles, what wisdom, what rapture!
Oh, what culmination to hear the Word from The Word's lips!
Oh, the delight of seeing the promise of ages incarnate!
There was no doubt! All was clear...
You are the One!

But then, as the crowds dispersed and ran after others
As it seemed the power was failing
As the words you gave me fell on deaf ears
As the persecution seemed stronger than your grace
As the opposition came for me, and threw me down
As I sat in the prison of despair, the Tempter asked me,
"Is He the One?"

Dark Prison, place of no light,
Stop the shrieking and accusing
Saying my life and my call were all in vain--a joke!
I plug my ears to your voices, I shut my eyes to your doom.
O Lord of Light, who spoke through the prophets
And once to me. Where are you in my suffering?
Are you the One?

My days now are numbered.
The mockers laugh and spit at me.
My shame and execution are near.
Was I not faithful? Did I not hear clearly?
O Doubt, stop your voices.
O Strength come to me!
Are you the One?

Dear Friends, pray for me.
Dear Friends, beg for me.
Dear Friends, pursue until the truth is told.
Dear Friends, speak to me of Life!
Go to Him--ask him; let him know I am ashamed,
Confused, feeling betrayed, knowing
abandonment.
Are you the One?

I will sit here in the prison of Joseph.
I will remember, despite the walls and the stench,
Despite the circumstances of doom,
That You are with me.
I will remember, that even if I am not saved
Like my brothers being thrown to the fire,
My God is One!

Hear me, Messiah, Anointed One
Whose sandals I am not worthy to untie!
Hear me, Dear Cousin, whose presence caused me
To leap in my mother's womb.
Have mercy upon me, O Lamb of God,
Who takes away the sin of the World...
...Are you the One?
"Go and tell John what you see and hear..."

Podcast: Week 15

Sermon: Week 15

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