October 7
72 Steps from Glory to Glory
Step 30: From the Gerasenes to Capernaum
Tonight we will talk about John’s doubt, one of Jesus’ sermons, and a parable.
- Matt.11:2-6; Luke 7:18-23: Jesus responds to John’s doubts.
- John sends his disciples to ask Jesus if He is the One.
- Knowing John’s history, are you surprised by his question?
- Do you think this question shows that John’s faith was weak?
- Was Jesus disappointed by John’s question?
- In Luke 7:21, Jesus responds by performing many miracles
- Then He tells John’s disciples to go and report what they have seen.
- If you were John, what would your response be to this report? Would you say: since Jesus can do this thing, why doesn’t He set me free? Or would you say, since Jesus can heal, I know He is the Messiah, and I will gladly die for Him?
- Isaiah 35:4-6 “Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert.”
- Matt.11:7-15; Luke 7:24-30. John’s question prompts another sermon from Jesus.
- Jesus pays John the highest tribute. John was not a wimpy preacher. His sermons were not shaped by public opinion. He was not a people pleaser.
- How should Jesus’ opinion of John influence preachers today?
- Jesus said that John was the greatest of all prophets, and yet the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than him.
- What do you think Jesus meant by that?
- Some bible scholars have presented two different theories about what Jesus meant.
- One is that Jesus was referring to the Apostle Paul. Look at Eph.3:8
- Two is that Jesus had the millennium in mind, when the least citizen of the Kingdom will experience more of God’s majesty than any prophet, priest, or king ever has in the past.
- Personally, I believe Jesus may have been referring to little old lady prayer warriors. Or hard-working daddies in work clothes coming straight to prayer meeting from work. Any simple but faithful child of the King is great in the eyes of Jesus when they humbly serve Him.
- Jesus continued His sermon by talking about the common people and sinners who gladly heard John’s message while the Jewish rulers ignored him
- John’s ministry was fearless and marked the beginning of Satanic opposition to the Kingdom.
- Matt. 11:10: John came in the spirit of Elijah. Jesus links him to the prophecy in Malachi 3:1: “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me.”
- Matt. 11:16-19; Luke 7:31-35. Jesus ends this sermon about John by comparing the people to a group of fickle children.
- They were a generation of gripers. How can we keep ourselves from being the same way?
From the Bible
“And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see 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.
And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Matthew 11:2-15 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.11.2-15.NKJV
From the Home of Douglas and Deborah Huff
