Matthew 11 - John the Baptist Perplexed and Discouraged

 

Matthew 11 – John the Baptist Perplexed and Discouraged

 

John had served God faithfully and yet was in prison. His work was ended, and he was not sure that Jesus was ministering in the right way. When you find yourself in a similar situation, do what John did: tell it to Jesus and wait for His word (Isa. 35:4-6). Jesus answered John’s doubts with a report of His work. Jesus gave sight to the blind, healed the lame, the lepers, and the deaf and He raised the dead. Each of these acts was proof that Jesus was the Messiah.

 

John’s disciples did not hear Jesus praise the leader. John was not a compromiser or a celebrity; he was God’s greatest prophet. John was in prison because of a cruel king and a crowd that was childish instead of childlike. John prepared the way for the coming of the Messiah, but those in the kingdom experience its reality.

 

Leave the judgment to the Lord and wait for Him to fulfill His perfect plan. You may think you have failed, but God will see to it that your work is blessed. In fact, John won people to Jesus long after he was dead and buried (John 10:40-42). Surrender to Christ’s loving yoke and you will experience the perfect rest.

 

One of the most gracious commands in the Bible is Jesus’ invitation to come speaks to all who are oppressed by routine, monotony, overwork, responsibility, and tension. Those who are heavy laden endure something that is laid on them from an outside source, causing burnout. Jesus’ form of rest is not absence of work but rejuvenation and refreshment.

 

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Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

J, Vernon McGee Through the Bible