His Ways

Matthew 11:1-6

New International Version (NIV)

¹ After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.  ² When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples ³ to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

⁴ Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. ⁶ Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011:%201%20-%206&version=NIV)

 There are several points in this scripture and I thought about dividing it up but have chosen to go ahead and write on each of them. 

 Let’s first look at the first verse.  Jesus equipped the disciples by instructing them on what they needed to do and then sent them out.  Remember He sent them out to the Jews, not the Gentiles on in the towns of the Samaritans but to the lost sheep of Israel.  Like any good leader, Jesus did not just sit back and let them go and do the work, He Himself went out amongst the people.  I found it interesting that He went to the towns of Galilee so I did a little research on this region.  Interesting enough this is where Jesus ministry started and where He chose most of His first disciples.  As well, Jesus grew up in this region.  These were people who were not rich and worked hard labor such as ranching and fishing.  They were by no means the top of the social class who you would use to get to the top of the ladder but this is who Jesus chose to minister to.

Now John the Baptist was in prison and he must have been thinking that if Jesus was the Messiah that He should possibly be going into the political areas to minister.  How would He make it to the top if He just stayed in the Galilean area and ministered to the lowly folk.  It would be like the Presidential candidates only campaigning in the states such as Kansas where there are few electoral votes.  (I would not consider Kansas people as “lowly folks” since I am from Kansas but many people do think of us as “hicks from the country”).  However, it wouldn’t make much impact on their run for political office if they only stayed in one state.  Rather Presidential candidates travel from state to state and spend additional time in those states that can provide for them the most votes.  Rarely do we see candidates spend much time in Kansas.  I would imagine this is what it would have been like in the Galilean region as well.  John the Baptist began to wonder if this was really the Messiah even though he was the one that proclaimed Him as the Messiah, who witnessed God coming down on Him say, ^17” And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17). (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%203:17&version=NIV)  He baptized Jesus and now he is beginning to question if He is who He claimed to be. 

Jesus then gives John’s disciples proof that He is who He says He is in verses 4 and 5.  Go back and read those verses.  Why do you think that Jesus would have chosen these words to speak to John?  Let’s go back a little further in Isaiah 61: 1 - 3 it reads, ¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners  ² to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,  ³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2061:1-3&version=NIV)

I can only imagine that when John heard the words from his disciples he was reminded of those words in Isaiah and  he knew immediately that Jesus was the Sovereign LORD.  John just needed that gentle reminder from Him.  Are you ever that way?  Do you sometimes need a gentle reminder to know that Jesus is our Sovereign Lord?  Every time I question Him and His ways I need that gentle reminder.  He continually reminds me of the words in  Isaiah 55:8, ⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2055:8&version=NIV)
Even when I don’t understand, I know that He is in control.   

Looking at Matthew 11: 6 we see that we are blessed when we don’t stumble because of the Lord’s actions.  We need to stand firm and know He is God even when we don’t understand and we will be blessed.  As you seek Him and you know Him may you draw closer to Him in all circumstances and know that He is God.

Seeking Him with All my Heart,

Sheila