“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12)
Lesson 45: The Challenge From John’s Ministry Matthew 11:1-19.
In the previous chapter, Jesus had sent His disciples into the mission field to preach, teach and heal the sick. In the opening verse of this chapter for our study, we see Jesus Christ Himself going about His Father’s work.
“And it came to pass when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities” (verse 1).
The life of Jesus Christ was full of activities aimed at saving and healing the sick. He himself emphasized the urgency of the task thus: “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is the day, the night cometh when no man can work” (John 9:4). The Apostle Peter, one of the twelve disciples sent out was later to confirm this truth.
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with him”(Acts 10:38) for God
Lesson 45: The Challenge From John’s Ministry
Jesus Christ was a perfect example of what a leader should be. He did not merely delegate functions to perform for His disciples. He, too, was personally involved. He was unlike the hypocritical Scribes and Pharisees who “bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers” (Matthew 23:4).
If Christian leaders are to follow the Master’s work of snatching souls out of the hands of the devil, they are to lead the way while others follow.
John’s Questions Answered By Christ
(Matthew 11:1-6; Luke 7:19-23)
John the Baptist, who was the forerunner of Jesus Christ, sent two of His disciples to inquire if Jesus was the true and expected Messiah. This kind of question could have posed a setback to many but not to Jesus Christ.
“Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come or do we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3).
This was the darkest moment in the ministry of John the Baptist. He had been imprisoned by Herod the Tetrarch, who was the chief governor of Galilee. His offense was that he told the truth. Herod had taken over Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, to be his own wife. What an odious act! John the Baptist told him that it was wrong to commit such sacrilege. He did not mince words in this horrible act.
“For John said unto him, it is not lawful for thee to have her” (Matthew 14:4).
Sin, whether in high or low places, must not be condoned. Thanks be to God for such a preacher as John the Baptist, who risked his life to speak the truth. The Jewish authorities pretended as if all was well. They did not bat an eyelid over the sin of Herod. But John the Baptist stood with God against sin even though it was later to cost him his life (Matthew 14:3- 12).
Nathan was another prophet who spoke boldly against sin. He condemned David’s acts of plotting the death of Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, and eventually marrying her. “And Nathan said unto David, thou art the man” (2 Samuel 12:7).
From prison, John sent two of his disciples to inquire if Jesus Christ was the Messiah that was to come or whether they were to “look for another”. Even the best of men have their sore trials. Perhaps in distress, John had expected that if Jesus were the Messiah, He should have shown concern over his predicament. “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick” (Proverbs 13:12).
The ordeals that John the Baptist must have passed through made him feel rejected, inhibited, solitary, and without fellowship.
Saints through the ages have passed through fiery trials in the battle for the truth. Joseph was imprisoned because he did not cooperate with Potiphar’s wife to commit immorality. Peter and John, Paul and Silas were all persecuted and imprisoned for the sake of the gospel. John the Beloved was banished to the Isle of Patmos. The list of imprisoned saints is endless.
Paul, the apostle, wrote some of his epistles while in solitary confinement. John Bunyan wrote the ageless classic, “Pilgrim’s Progress” in Bedford prison. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego all had their trials yet they did not compromise their stand for the truth.
To have an uncompromising spirit, there must be clear conversion and conviction. Without conviction, there cannot be a purpose of heart. When the temptation to compromise biblical truths comes our way, we should be able to say like David, “Oh God, my heart is fixed (Psalm 108:1).
In response to the questions posed by John’s emissaries, Jesus interprets His ministry in terms of the works of salvation from sin, healing, and deliverance that He was performing. He had no flair for traditional titles. Jesus, in answering John’s question, copiously quoted Old Testament prophecies about His mission
“Jesus answered and said unto them. Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their 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 unto them” (Matthew 11:4,5; Isaiah 29:18,19; 35:5,6).
Ministers of God’s word should be content with the fact that their works testify of them and not run after titles. Jesus said: “The works I do they bear witness of me” (John 10:25).
Serving as a confirmation of the reply He sent to John, Jesus in that same hour “cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits, and unto many that were blind he gave sight” (Luke 7:21).
Clearly stated in Jesus’ reply was the mission of the Church for all ages. The Church should not be distracted by such mundane affairs which have no direct bearing on her mission of rescuing the lost. Jesus closed up His reply to John by saying, “Blessed is he who would not be offended in me” (Matthew 11:6; Luke 7:21).
No doubt, John at this time was discouraged, dejected, and downcast. What should a believer do in such a state? One, he should let the promises of God comfort his soul as David in distress, encouraged himself in the Lord. Two, he should pray for personal revival. Three, he should keep his spiritual environment free of elements of unbelief. Finally, he should generate faith and confidence in God.
Jesus Praises The Rejected John (Matthew 11:7-15; Luke 7:24-30).
After the departure of John the Baptist’s emissaries, Jesus testified to the enviable character of John the Baptist before the people. Jesus had a high regard for John and a rebuke for the indifferent crowds who at first went to hear John preach in the wilderness. It could be implied from Jesus’ statement that John was not “a reed shaken by the wind.”
This was in reference to John’s character as a righteous preacher who did not compromise his convictions. Jesus also referred to the ascetic life John lived. His food was locust and wild honey. He did not crave earthly comforts.
Jesus Christ concluded by saying that John the Baptist was more than a prophet. He also stated the fact that John was sent as God’s messenger to prepare the way for His coming. John the Baptist was greater than any of the Old Testament prophets. They prophesied about Jesus’ coming without it being fulfilled in their time.
However, John saw, baptized, and interacted with the Messiah. But Jesus said, “Notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matthew 11:11; Luke 7:28). The privileges of the New Covenant saints are greater than John the Baptist. He died before the time of Christ’s sacrifice for mankind was consummated on the cross of Calvary.
“But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises” (Hebrews 8:6).
Moreover, John appeared not to have directly witnessed any of Christ’s miracles but only heard of them. Consequently, New Testament saints have a greater responsibility because to whom much is given, much is required.
Jesus Christ further made reference to the kingdom of God and the price of entering into it. “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12).
The violence referred to here is not physical. It simply means the kingdom of God is not an ‘all-comers affair. One has to be violent against sin, self, and all hindrances to entering into the Kingdom. Preachers of the Word owe it a responsibility to tell their audience to forsake all forms of sin and unrighteousness in order to gain God’s kingdom.
John the Baptist came in the power and spirit of the prophet Elijah. Their manner of life, fearlessness, truth, and brief existence have striking similarities. Elijah was a type of John the Baptist.
Jesus Rebukes The Generation Of Indifferent Sinners (Matthew 11:16-19; Luke 7:31-35)
Having commended John, Jesus sharply rebuked the careless, indifferent sinners of His time. The situation is not different today. Many make light of gospel truths. The people of Noah’s day rejected the call to salvation to their soul’s damnation. The men who rejected warnings in Sodom and Gomorrah perished in fire and brimstone. Indifference to the gospel truth is one of the last days’ delusions.
Conclusion
God is willing that all men should be saved so He uses various methods to draw men unto Himself. God makes the means of grace available to all. To reject all entreaties to come to Christ is to damn one’s soul. The door of mercy is open now. Delay is dangerous. Now is the appointed time.
1. What prompted John the Baptist to enquire whether Jesus was the expected Messiah?
2. In just one sentence, state why John the Baptist was imprisoned.
3. What qualities characterize the life of John the Baptist?
4. What should be the believer’s conduct in times of distress?
