One great man of God! - Matthew 11:1-19
One great man of God! - Matthew 11:1-19
By Pastor Lee Hemen
November 24, 2019
Longfellow, the Poet, wrote that “Lives of great men all remind us, we can make our lives sublime, and, departing, leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time.” We who do not consider ourselves neither great nor that inspiring might ask ourselves, “What makes a great man?” Great men do not necessarily need to be remembered by the marketplace but rather can have such an impact on those around them that they are left better in life by knowing them. Greatness should not be measured in risks taken, accumulated wealth, or educational degrees; rather greatness is how a life impacts another to the extent it changes future generations. John the Baptist was such a man.
Here in Matthew’s gospel we find John the Baptist, the last great prophet of God, while imprisoned more concerned about the spiritual health of his nation than his own personal comfort. John was chosen by God before he was even born to be the herald for the coming Messiah. Luke tells us that John would “go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. (Luke 1:17 NIV)” John would be one great man of God, let’s see what this means…
READ: Matthew 11:1-19
People of faith should never follow blindly but should ask “who, what, when, where and why” when looking at Scripture or listening to a Sunday morning sermon. In fact, we learn that…
I. Great men are willing to ask the tough questions! (Vv. 1-6)
After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
1. We discover from Matthew that “After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.” It is assumed that after receiving their marching orders on how to share the message that the Kingdom of God is near Jesus went himself into the region of Galilee where he grew up. Interestingly, “When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’” John was Jesus’ cousin and had been assigned to be the one who would announce that the Messiah had come. Some find this confusing since John had already publically declared that Jesus was “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29 NIV)” Perhaps John had heard from others that they were not sure or perhaps he was unsure why he was imprisoned. I believe John knew full well why he was jailed because we are later told that “Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife for John had been saying to him: ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’ (Matthew 14:3-4 NIV)” John wanted his followers to fully understand who Jesus was “the one to come”, a reference to the coming Messiah. Jesus lays to rest any doubt about who he was when he plainly tells them to “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” Only the Messiah could do such things. John the Baptist imprisoned, fearful for his life, yet was more than willing to ask questions others would not outright ask! Great men are willing to ask the tough questions!
EXAMPLE: Some of the greatest discoveries over the centuries were found by great men and women of faith who saw God’s handiwork in all things. From the use of Latin for a phylum system to classify plants, animals, and insects; the exploration of the heavens and mathematics to see God in the details of the universe; and in medicine to heal and cure mankind made in his image. These men and women used their faith to ask the tough questions. Matthew teaches us that great men are willing to ask the tough questions!
As I sought to find the spiritual truth I discovered that everything I was seeking was found in Jesus. Over the centuries those who are truly seeking spiritual truth come to faith in Christ. We learn that…
II. Great men discover Jesus! (Vv. 7-12)
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”
1. Jesus had great respect for his cousin John and the sacrifices he had made to try to turn Israel back to God and to be sensitive to the coming Kingdom of God. Matthew relates that “As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John.” Jesus wants the onlookers and those who were constantly trying to go after him and John to know exactly what he thought of John the Baptist. So Jesus sets them up with a series of questions that were meant to make them think hard about what they thought about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see?” John was more than a blowhard Pharisee or a finely dressed Sadducee. He was “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ (Matthew 3:3 NIV)” He ate simple food of locusts and wild honey and dressed in simple clothes made of camel’s hair! He baptized those who wanted their sins forgiven in the waters of the Jordan River but his baptism was only momentary. Jesus continued by stating “Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’” Jesus fully understood John’s role -- He was to call Israel back to God so they could hear the message of the Messiah! Jesus makes no bones about the fact of John’s greatness: “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” As great as John was those who come to Christ, the Messiah, by faith are far greater because they see the wisdom of God in Jesus! Jesus would declare “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.” Forcefully advancing (biazetai) could be rendered in the passive as “is violently treated” and that the “violent” forceful men (the scribes, the Pharisees and the Sadducees) tried to take hold of it for their own purposes instead of coming to Jesus! John was willing to see Jesus for who he was! Great men discover Jesus!
EXAMPLE: Contrary to popular political correctness George Washington, the Pilgrims, or Christopher Columbus were not some evil disease-ridden white slave traders. If one reads any of these people’s own words they would discover that their chief aim was to further the gospel. Pilgrims came mainly for personal and religious freedom and saw indigenous people as friends. While Washington owned slaves, he abhorred the practice and his final act was to free all he owned. A lot of the myths and bad press concerning these folks often comes from those with political agendas like the Dutch and Klu Klux Klan concerning Columbus. From political rivals of the time and others that hated them for their faith and now by socialist professors wanting to discredit anything that does not fit their liberal bias against America. Great men look beyond themselves and we realize that great men discover Jesus!
Wisdom is not given nor is it earned but rather it is acquired often by the mistakes we make in life. Those we see as wise are known so because of how they responded to tough times. In Matthew we discover…
III. Great men are recognized by wise people! (Vv. 13-19)
“For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. He who has ears, let him hear. To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”
1. John was the last Prophet of God in the sense of the Old Covenant kind. From John on there would be no more prophets like we find in the Old Testament because from now on the world would be directed to the Kingdom of God by his Messiah! The gospel message would be the only message needed for sin-corrupt world. This is why Jesus tells the crowd, “For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.” John was the final prophet sent by God to proclaim the coming of the Messiah Jesus! And Jesus knew the importance of John’s witness and ministry and tells the crowd “if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. He who has ears, let him hear.” Elijah, one famous Old Testament Prophet Dude, foretold what God desired and now John was doing the same thing! Malachi prophesied, “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. (Malachi 4:5 NIV)” Jesus then asks, “To what can I compare this generation?” The continued questioning by the crowds and spiritual leaders of God’s actions; and their fascination with things that did not matter was frustrating for Jesus and he said “They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’” God had constantly in the past tried to turn Israel back to him but they refused over and over. And now God sent a great man of God, John the Baptist, to proclaim the Messiah and they still wanted more! Jesus condemns their petulance by telling them, “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’” Someone wrote that “Neither the ascetic John nor the hedonist Jesus pleased them. They could not see past the surface of either man to the wisdom underneath.” The fickle crowd and their spiritual leaders could not make up their minds about John the Baptist or Jesus because they were spiritually blind and Jesus finishes his admonishment with: “But wisdom is proved right by her actions.” Great men are recognized by wise people!
EXAMPLE: John Piper, a pastor and Christian writer, wrote that “God warns with his wrath and he woos with his kindness. He speaks both languages: severity and tenderness. Do you recall how Jesus interpreted the coming of John the Baptist as a severe, leather-girded, locus-eating, desert-living, adultery-condemning prophet, on the one hand, and his own coming as a party-going, wine-making, child-healing, sin-forgiving savior, on the other hand? The gospel came with both languages, but they would not hear.” Like ragged children begging in the marketplace, but the crowd no longer hears their cries, God sent Prophet after Prophet until John the Baptist; and now Jesus as the Messiah! Sadly, it is the same today. We learn that great men are recognized by wise people!
Conclusion:
Great men are willing to ask the tough questions! Great men discover Jesus! Great men are recognized by wise people!
---
This article is copyrighted © 2019 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission.
By Pastor Lee Hemen
November 24, 2019
Longfellow, the Poet, wrote that “Lives of great men all remind us, we can make our lives sublime, and, departing, leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time.” We who do not consider ourselves neither great nor that inspiring might ask ourselves, “What makes a great man?” Great men do not necessarily need to be remembered by the marketplace but rather can have such an impact on those around them that they are left better in life by knowing them. Greatness should not be measured in risks taken, accumulated wealth, or educational degrees; rather greatness is how a life impacts another to the extent it changes future generations. John the Baptist was such a man.
Here in Matthew’s gospel we find John the Baptist, the last great prophet of God, while imprisoned more concerned about the spiritual health of his nation than his own personal comfort. John was chosen by God before he was even born to be the herald for the coming Messiah. Luke tells us that John would “go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. (Luke 1:17 NIV)” John would be one great man of God, let’s see what this means…
READ: Matthew 11:1-19
People of faith should never follow blindly but should ask “who, what, when, where and why” when looking at Scripture or listening to a Sunday morning sermon. In fact, we learn that…
I. Great men are willing to ask the tough questions! (Vv. 1-6)
After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
1. We discover from Matthew that “After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.” It is assumed that after receiving their marching orders on how to share the message that the Kingdom of God is near Jesus went himself into the region of Galilee where he grew up. Interestingly, “When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’” John was Jesus’ cousin and had been assigned to be the one who would announce that the Messiah had come. Some find this confusing since John had already publically declared that Jesus was “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29 NIV)” Perhaps John had heard from others that they were not sure or perhaps he was unsure why he was imprisoned. I believe John knew full well why he was jailed because we are later told that “Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife for John had been saying to him: ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’ (Matthew 14:3-4 NIV)” John wanted his followers to fully understand who Jesus was “the one to come”, a reference to the coming Messiah. Jesus lays to rest any doubt about who he was when he plainly tells them to “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” Only the Messiah could do such things. John the Baptist imprisoned, fearful for his life, yet was more than willing to ask questions others would not outright ask! Great men are willing to ask the tough questions!
EXAMPLE: Some of the greatest discoveries over the centuries were found by great men and women of faith who saw God’s handiwork in all things. From the use of Latin for a phylum system to classify plants, animals, and insects; the exploration of the heavens and mathematics to see God in the details of the universe; and in medicine to heal and cure mankind made in his image. These men and women used their faith to ask the tough questions. Matthew teaches us that great men are willing to ask the tough questions!
As I sought to find the spiritual truth I discovered that everything I was seeking was found in Jesus. Over the centuries those who are truly seeking spiritual truth come to faith in Christ. We learn that…
II. Great men discover Jesus! (Vv. 7-12)
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”
1. Jesus had great respect for his cousin John and the sacrifices he had made to try to turn Israel back to God and to be sensitive to the coming Kingdom of God. Matthew relates that “As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John.” Jesus wants the onlookers and those who were constantly trying to go after him and John to know exactly what he thought of John the Baptist. So Jesus sets them up with a series of questions that were meant to make them think hard about what they thought about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see?” John was more than a blowhard Pharisee or a finely dressed Sadducee. He was “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ (Matthew 3:3 NIV)” He ate simple food of locusts and wild honey and dressed in simple clothes made of camel’s hair! He baptized those who wanted their sins forgiven in the waters of the Jordan River but his baptism was only momentary. Jesus continued by stating “Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’” Jesus fully understood John’s role -- He was to call Israel back to God so they could hear the message of the Messiah! Jesus makes no bones about the fact of John’s greatness: “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” As great as John was those who come to Christ, the Messiah, by faith are far greater because they see the wisdom of God in Jesus! Jesus would declare “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.” Forcefully advancing (biazetai) could be rendered in the passive as “is violently treated” and that the “violent” forceful men (the scribes, the Pharisees and the Sadducees) tried to take hold of it for their own purposes instead of coming to Jesus! John was willing to see Jesus for who he was! Great men discover Jesus!
EXAMPLE: Contrary to popular political correctness George Washington, the Pilgrims, or Christopher Columbus were not some evil disease-ridden white slave traders. If one reads any of these people’s own words they would discover that their chief aim was to further the gospel. Pilgrims came mainly for personal and religious freedom and saw indigenous people as friends. While Washington owned slaves, he abhorred the practice and his final act was to free all he owned. A lot of the myths and bad press concerning these folks often comes from those with political agendas like the Dutch and Klu Klux Klan concerning Columbus. From political rivals of the time and others that hated them for their faith and now by socialist professors wanting to discredit anything that does not fit their liberal bias against America. Great men look beyond themselves and we realize that great men discover Jesus!
Wisdom is not given nor is it earned but rather it is acquired often by the mistakes we make in life. Those we see as wise are known so because of how they responded to tough times. In Matthew we discover…
III. Great men are recognized by wise people! (Vv. 13-19)
“For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. He who has ears, let him hear. To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”
1. John was the last Prophet of God in the sense of the Old Covenant kind. From John on there would be no more prophets like we find in the Old Testament because from now on the world would be directed to the Kingdom of God by his Messiah! The gospel message would be the only message needed for sin-corrupt world. This is why Jesus tells the crowd, “For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.” John was the final prophet sent by God to proclaim the coming of the Messiah Jesus! And Jesus knew the importance of John’s witness and ministry and tells the crowd “if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. He who has ears, let him hear.” Elijah, one famous Old Testament Prophet Dude, foretold what God desired and now John was doing the same thing! Malachi prophesied, “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. (Malachi 4:5 NIV)” Jesus then asks, “To what can I compare this generation?” The continued questioning by the crowds and spiritual leaders of God’s actions; and their fascination with things that did not matter was frustrating for Jesus and he said “They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’” God had constantly in the past tried to turn Israel back to him but they refused over and over. And now God sent a great man of God, John the Baptist, to proclaim the Messiah and they still wanted more! Jesus condemns their petulance by telling them, “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’” Someone wrote that “Neither the ascetic John nor the hedonist Jesus pleased them. They could not see past the surface of either man to the wisdom underneath.” The fickle crowd and their spiritual leaders could not make up their minds about John the Baptist or Jesus because they were spiritually blind and Jesus finishes his admonishment with: “But wisdom is proved right by her actions.” Great men are recognized by wise people!
EXAMPLE: John Piper, a pastor and Christian writer, wrote that “God warns with his wrath and he woos with his kindness. He speaks both languages: severity and tenderness. Do you recall how Jesus interpreted the coming of John the Baptist as a severe, leather-girded, locus-eating, desert-living, adultery-condemning prophet, on the one hand, and his own coming as a party-going, wine-making, child-healing, sin-forgiving savior, on the other hand? The gospel came with both languages, but they would not hear.” Like ragged children begging in the marketplace, but the crowd no longer hears their cries, God sent Prophet after Prophet until John the Baptist; and now Jesus as the Messiah! Sadly, it is the same today. We learn that great men are recognized by wise people!
Conclusion:
Great men are willing to ask the tough questions! Great men discover Jesus! Great men are recognized by wise people!
---
This article is copyrighted © 2019 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission.
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