Matthew 11; Verses 1-6

The wonderful chapter of Matthew 11. Thank you for taking a look †

(Matthew 11:1-6) "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.

(After one whole chapter of instructions Sending the Disciples out Christ is alone now. Time for a break? Nope. Now Christ is in the northern cities once again. Notice something. Christ and the disciples always dissociated themselves. Because for one these were not the tribes of Israel living in the land for the most part. Secondly, This is not our home. This is not a Christians home. Just as it was not Christ' home at His first coming. However, the second coming it's ALL His).

Teach(er) = Teaches instructional doctrine.
Preach(er) = messenger that carries news openly

Christ is doing both. In other words, preaching is to declare doctrines (Repentance/baptism/resurrection, and so on. To teach is to apply them doctrines. Any Pastor should be doing both.

2Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

(Word gets around quick. Even John the Baptist sitting alone in prison. We gather here John the Baptist was allowed visitors which is how he knew).

Overall, let's remember John the Baptist is sitting in prison for the sake of Christ. Of course, surely made out to be a "political" prisoner. That is how the World operates, politics first.

3And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

Are you the Messiah (savior/deliverer)?

Now many (and I have seen it) look at John the Baptist in a bad "light" here. This is nonsense and not seeing the human element here. John was sitting in prison facing the looming "death penalty", not knowing anything really. Maybe malnourished feeling a bit alone, and surely wanted to know if this is all worth it. Now those who would look down on John I wonder if they ever had their faith tested like this?

4Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

Big difference in asking questions in sincerity or being accusatory looking to trip Christ up. Same with Christians as well. Another big thing to consider here is Christ knows our circumstances. And if we're asking questions in sincerity that's ALL good. But we should expect to take correction just as easily as asking the question(s).

5The 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 to them.

(Look and consider the overwhelming evidence. Ever see these things before? Ever heard it? Day after day? Amazing enough what were to pay attention to healing wise perceiving with eyes and ears the same Christ healed).

But what did they see? Let's go to Luke 7:20-21 to get every angle.

20"When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

21And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight."

Back to Matthew 7:6,

6And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me."

Well, that ended that.

(Offended here = to cause distrust, and increasingly desert one. So there we have it John the Baptist sitting in prison alone wanted confirmation and reassurance. Blessed, Basically telling them to relay to John be happy and joyful. What you saw is what you got. You got it the Messiah is here. Your sitting in prison for the right reasons. This will be huge to consider to those who are delivered up directly to satan in Revelation 2:9-10 in being faithful (though it will not to be physically murdered/killed when delivered up and after). Knowing others overcame as well and we all have similar questions when it come to faith and our suffering. We want confirmation and reassurance. When it comes to any relationship for that matter. Trust. So in gaining trust we should look at the evidence and using our reasoning through common sense).

In the next post Christ gives confirmation of who John the Baptist is, a prophet (teacher) and much more in His duties, and what he was and is to symbolize.

Amen †