Bible Passage: Matthew 11:2-10, 16-19
Discussion Questions:
- What evidence from your life proves that Jesus is who He says He is?
- Why are the Old Testament prophecies important for understanding the New Testament?
- How might your complaints be keeping you from obeying Jesus?
Food for Thought:
In a world where many don’t believe in Jesus or have a different version of Jesus than who He is portrayed in the Bible, it’s good to know what we believe and why we believe in Him. Scripture has always been true and reliable based on internal and external evidence. We can trust in Jesus’s validity as a historical figure and as the Son of God, but times will come when doubts may arise.
In Matthew 12, John the Baptist had moments of doubt or just questions about who Jesus really was. When he was in prison, he sent a message to Jesus, asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (v. 3). Jesus didn’t answer with a direct ‘yes’ but told John’s disciples to “report to John what you hear and see.” In other words, the answer is in the evidence, what you see with your eyes and hear with your ears. In today’s terms, don’t let anyone gaslight you—if you see it and hear it, it’s proof and evidence. Jesus then gave examples in verse 5 that no one was refuting: “The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news.” The evidence is clear that Jesus can perform miracles. And even more, Scripture prophesied of a coming Savior who would do these things as seen in Isaiah 35 and 61. Jesus was showing that He fulfilled these Scripture and that He is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God.
It is encouraging to note that Jesus didn’t demean John for having questions. He knows that there will be times of questioning and doubts. Jesus confirmed John’s identity as a prophet and as the messenger that would come before Him, mentioned in Malachi 3:1. Jesus again showed how prophetic Scripture was fulfilled.
As He continued though, Jesus criticized the present generation, those who spoke against Him because of their hypocrisy and irrational way of looking at things, just to condemn him. He used a short parable to make the point that these people will never be satisfied, always complaining and always opposing things just to be a contrarian. John abstained from certain things and lived like a wild man and they criticized him. Jesus “came eating and drinking” (v. 19), and they also criticized Him. “Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds,” Jesus said.
Essentially, ‘my actions will prove my wisdom and identity. I am who I say I am and who Scripture says I am.’
Evidence from Scripture, from other witnesses, and from our own lives reveal the truth of who Jesus is. We can come back to those proofs when we feel like questioning the truth of Jesus’s identity. And even when the proof is overwhelming, people have the choice to believe or not. But Jesus reminds us that we can trust in what we see and hear. His past and present works point to Jesus as the Savior and Lord in whom we can trust.
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