Day 285 – Matthew 11

Talking Points

• As Jesus continues His mission declaring He is the Christ, we see God’s plan as it unfolds. Hundreds of years earlier, Isaiah the prophet told of a forerunner who would prepare the way for the Messiah (Isaiah 40:3-5). Later, Malachi would also speak of one who would be sent to prepare the hearts of people for their Savior (Malachi 4:5-6). Malachi calls this one “Elijah,” referring to his prophetic office. After 400 years of silence, Jesus reveals John the Baptist is this one. God’s plan moves perfectly forward.
• In Matthew chapter 11, we find a common question, though from an unexpected source. Imprisoned and in great peril, John the Baptist sends word asking Jesus, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” (Matthew 11:3). Surely, if anyone knew the identity of Jesus, God’s promised forerunner would! Yet, under crushing and surprising conditions, even John the Baptist was left second-guessing. You can almost hear the reasoning from his prison cell: “Surely the Savior would have a better entrance that this?”. Notice the answer from Jesus. He doesn’t send back a simple “yes.” Better than that, He shows how His actions are the perfect fulfillment of Scripture. “The blind receive 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” (11:5). The answer is found in what was promised of the Messiah in Isaiah 35:5 and 61:1. Imagine the peace that must have filled John’s heart — God’s Word is true! This is the One!
• The religious unbelieving would not be satisfied. When John fasted, they took issue. When Jesus ate, they took issue. It wasn’t the actions that caused their reluctance; it was the Truth they couldn’t accept.

Thoughts

Of all the things Jesus provides, maybe the most needed is the thing our pride makes us fight hardest against — rest. We like the idea of self-reliance and personal strength. Because we do, we march on, striving and struggling under an ever-increasing load. Guilt? It is ours to bear, so we put it on our backs. Shame? It’s too embarrassing to admit, so it, too, goes on our load. Salvation? Surely we can secure it, so we add it as well. The load is unbearable. But, because we offer no remedy to the burdens we carry, because we can muster no relief, we just try and trudge on, sinking under the weight.

Jesus has a word for how He finds us: weary.

Those too “intelligent” or too “wise” in our own estimation, Jesus will let stagger on. But, for those who are ready to give over our burdens, He promises the greatest blessing. Rest. In kindness, He calls for us to give Him the load. Hear our Savior’s voice: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (11:28).