February 3, 2016

SEEK TRUTH, RESPOND TO TRUTH

Matthew 11:1–19

Ryan Long
Wednesday's Devo

February 3, 2016

Wednesday's Devo

February 3, 2016

Central Truth

Seek truth at all costs. Know that brave men and women are unafraid to respond to truth when they find it. Jesus claimed to be the truth. That is a claim worth investigating thoroughly and responding to appropriately.

Key Verse | Matthew 11:6

“And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” (Matthew 11:6)

Matthew 11:1–19

Messengers from John the Baptist

When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers 1 11:5 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man 2 11:8 Or Why then did you go out? To see a man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? 3 11:9 Some manuscripts Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,

‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
    who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who 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 suffered violence, 4 11:12 Or has been coming violently and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, 5 11:15 Some manuscripts omit to hear let him hear.

16 But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

17  ‘We played the flute 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, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” 6 11:19 Some manuscripts children (compare Luke 7:35)

Footnotes

[1] 11:5 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13
[2] 11:8 Or Why then did you go out? To see a man . . .
[3] 11:9 Some manuscripts Why then did you go out? To see a prophet?
[4] 11:12 Or has been coming violently
[5] 11:15 Some manuscripts omit to hear
[6] 11:19 Some manuscripts children (compare Luke 7:35)

Dive Deeper | Matthew 11:1–19

Jesus is truth, and truth is offensive because it does not deliver to us exactly what the selfishness in our hearts desires. But Jesus faithfully gives us exactly what we need. God is good, He makes no mistakes, and He can be trusted.

John the Baptist sought truth and responded in kind when he found it. John leaped in his mother’s womb when he was first in the presence of the Messiah (Luke 1:41). He also responded in complete humility when Jesus’ ministry began taking off and people started following Jesus (John 3:30). John’s heart longed for the Messiah that would eventually come to bring justice to the entire world and judge evil everywhere it existed.

But Jesus, in His first coming, while everything the Jews needed, wasn’t exactly the Messiah they had expected. John knew there was something going on, but he just needed to be reminded of the truth he had hoped in. He needed to be reminded that Jesus’ first coming was good, that God’s plan to reveal Himself had no mistakes, and that the promises of hope could be trusted.

Just like He didn’t show up exactly how John expected Him to, Jesus hasn’t always shown up in my life how I have expected Him to either. Jesus offended my past dating relationship. In spite of efforts to resolve conflict and consider the other person as more important than myself, that relationship was still marked by selfishness and strife. Its foundation was not solely on Christ, and I was clinging to a treasure that could not ultimately satisfy me (Matthew 6:21). After three and a half very complicated years, my heart was finally convicted that God’s best for me was apart from my broken relationship. I recognized this truth, and I wearily decided to move toward it. And God had given me men, just as Jesus had sent John’s disciples back to him, to bring His message of hope to my life. My men reminded me during that time that God was good, He makes no mistakes, and I could trust the path of life He was leading me down.

Discussion Questions

1. What area of your life does Jesus currently most offend? Ask yourself this question, “What life circumstances frustrate me the quickest?”

2. What is one specific truth about Christ you have not tested in a long time? For example, are you ready to speak accurately and confidently if questioned about the biblical perspective on science, social issues, or salvation? What will you do to increase your understanding and application of the one truth you have chosen?

3. Today, who in your life can you encourage by reminding them of the hope you have in Christ? Think. Choose. Now go share truth with them!

4. How do you think the world defines “offense” as compared to how God’s people define “offense”?