Matthew Worksheet - Chapter 11

Matthew Chapter 11

John the Baptist Questions

After Jesus gave instructions to His 12 disciples for their missionary journey, He went to teach and preach in their cities while they were away.

1. Where was John the Baptist at the time and what did he send his disciples to ask Jesus? vs. 2-3 -

Note: John the Baptist had been used by the Lord to announce the coming of Christ, but now he himself had been languishing in prison for months, and the work of Jesus has not brought the results that John apparently expected.

His disappointment was natural.  He wanted reassurance - and most likely wondered why his cousin Jesus had not rescued him from prison if He was truly the promised Messiah. (remember John's mother Elizabeth was the cousin of Mary, the mother of Jesus)...

2.  Let's look at why John had been put into prison and what will happen to him later that he doesn't even know at this point of questioning:

Matthew 14:1-13 -

3.  What reassurance does Jesus send back to John that He is truly the Expected One, the Messiah? What six things did He tell them about Himself? Matt.11:5 -

(1)     (2)     (3)     (4)     (5)     (6)

These would be reminders to John of things that were predicted of the Messiah in the Old Testament Scriptures that all the Jews were taught. 

4. Comment on these:

Isaiah 29:18-21 -

Isaiah 35:5-6 -

5. Have you ever been tempted to doubt the validity of the claims of Christ when He didn't perform according to your expectations? 

What have you done to remind yourself of who He is and how He will be faithful to perform His word and purposes?

Jesus sends this last word to John through the disciples back to him:

"Blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over Me" (vs. 6)  - Jesus did not want discouragement and doubt to ensnare John from his faith.  The same is true for us.  We walk by faith and not by sight.

Jesus' Tribute to John the Baptist

After John's disciples leave to take word back to John of what Jesus has said to them, Jesus speaks to the crowd that is around Him, saying:

"What did you go out into the wilderness to look at?  A reed shaken by the wind?" (vs.7)

Jesus wants them to know that just because John is a little shaken at the moment, he was not a weak messenger but a true prophet sent from God to prepare the way for Him.

"But what did you go out to see?  A man dressed in soft clothing?  Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' palaces.  But why did you go out?  To see a prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet."

6. What had been prophesied about John the Baptist in the Old Testament? vs. 9 -

7.  How does John the Baptist rank in the Lord's view of him? vs. 11 -

And yet, who is even greater than John? vs. 11 -

Note:  John belonged to the age of the Old Covenant before the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He was the final prophet to prepare the way to prophesy of Who Jesus was before Jesus fulfilled all that the prophets spoke of Him from all the ages.  The least New Testament saint that is part of the kingdom of God has a higher rank as part of the Bride of Christ, the Church (Ephesians 5:25-27,32)

8.  Who did Jesus say that John represented from Old Testament prophecies?  vs. 14 -

Jesus talks of how the crowds cannot seem to make up their mind what they believe about John or about Jesus; like children at play without understanding.

9.  What was John the Baptist condemned for doing?  What did people say about him? vs. 18 -

10.  What did the Son of Man (Jesus) get condemned for doing?  What did people say about him? vs. 19 -

The Unrepenting Cities

11. Jesus then reproached the cities He had done most of His miracles in.  What cities did He name? (vs. 20 - 24)

1)      2)      3)     

Why did He reproach them?

It will be more tolerable for some than others at the judgment which seems to indicate there will be degrees of severity of judgment based on what people knew and had exposure to.

Let The Weary Come

12. What did Jesus praise God about? vs. 25 -

He said: "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son, except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son...."

13. Who else did Jesus say would know the Father? vs. 27 -

14. Where are we suppose to go when we are weary and heavy-laden? vs. 28 -

What will be given to us? vs. 28 -

When we take His yoke of 'rest' upon us, we are suppose to 'learn' about Him. 

15. What do we learn about Jesus and why He is able to 'rest'? vs. 29 -

He is _______ and ______ in heart.

If we follow His example, we will find rest for our souls.

His yoke is _____and His load is _____.

Isn't that a refreshing note to end a lesson on?

 

Your summary notes and prayer today:

 

 

 

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