Matthew 11

1 – 3

Jesus finished telling these things to His 12 followers. Then He left there and went to the towns in Galilee to teach and preach.

John the Baptist was in prison, but he heard about the things the Christ was doing. So John sent some of his followers to Jesus. They asked Jesus, “Are you the man who John said was coming, or should we wait for another one?”

The demons were telling John that his life and ministry were all for nothing because Jesus was not doing what John thought he would do. We do not walk by what we can see. You have no idea how God has used you and people are watching you. Do not listen to evil thoughts about yourself!!!

4 – 6

Jesus answered, “Go back to John and tell him about the things you hear and see: The blind can see. The crippled can walk. People with harmful skin diseases are healed. The deaf can hear. The dead are raised to life. And the Good News is told to the poor. The person who does not lose faith because of me is blessed.”

John knew that these things were promised to be done by the Messiah. Isaiah 61:1

7 – 10

As John’s followers were leaving, Jesus began talking to the people about John. Jesus said, “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed blown by the wind? No. Really, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No.

Those people who wear fine clothes live in kings’ palaces. So what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, and I tell you, John is more than a prophet. This was written about John by Malachi: I will send my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare the way for you.

Jesus is showing them that God uses people we would not expect Him to use. They are sometimes in jail instead of where you would think. Malachi 3:1

11. I tell you the truth: John the Baptist is greater than any other man who has ever lived. But even the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John.

Anyone who trusts in the death of Jesus and follows him is treated the same in heaven. There are no little people in heaven. We see something greater than he saw but now he knows it also.

12 – 15

Since the time John the Baptist came until now, the kingdom of heaven has been going forward in strength. People [have entered the kingdom after a lot of trouble]. All the prophets and the law of Moses spoke until the time John came.

They told about the things that would happen. And if you will believe the things the law and the prophets said, then you will believe that John is Elijah. The law and the prophets said he would come. Let those with ears use them and listen!

There is a spiritual war going on when someone is deciding to follow Jesus!

The book of Malachi says that Elijah would come before the Messiah comes. Jesus said that John the Baptist came with the same Spirit that Elijah had. In 1 Kings 19:1–4 we see that Elijah let bad thoughts into his mind. John had the same spirit as Elijah even in this! Malachi 4:5

And if you are willing to hear what I say, [John the Baptist] is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come. Matthew 11:14

16 – 17

What can I say about the people who live today? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace. One group calls to the other, We played music for you, but you did not dance; we sang a sad song, but you did not cry.

Jesus is saying that no matter what He does, the Jews are not happy. This shows us not to waste our time trying to make everybody happy. We do our best not to offend anyone and we leave the rest up to God.

18 – 19

John came, and he did not eat like other people or drink wine. And people say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came, eating and drinking wine, and people say, ‘Look at him! He eats too much and drinks too much. He is a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’ But wisdom is proved to be right by the things it does.”

Demons attack people by accusing them of the same things that they do. You will be tested and you will want to show them what they are doing but God will give you wisdom to see what is happening and speak against the demons but do not fight with people.

20 – 24

Then Jesus criticized the cities where he did most of his miracles. He spoke against them because the people there did not change their lives and stop sinning.

Jesus said, “How terrible for you, Korazin! How terrible for you, Bethsaida! I did many miracles in you. If those same miracles had happened in Tyre and Sidon, then the people there would have changed their lives a long time ago. They would have worn rough cloth and put ashes on themselves to show that they had changed.

But I tell you, on the Judgment Day it will be worse for you than for Tyre and Sidon. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No. You will be thrown down to the depths. I did many miracles in you.
If those same miracles had happened in Sodom, its people would have stopped sinning, and it would still be a city today. But I tell you it will be worse for you on the Judgment Day than for Sodom.”

Men will not be in trouble for things they did not know about. They will be judged for the things that they knew but did not do anything about. These towns were destroyed long ago and have not been rebuilt.

But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been trusted with much, even more will be required. Luke 12:48

25 – 26

Then Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. I praise you because you have hidden these things from the people who are wise and smart. But you have shown them to those who are like little children. Yes, Father, this is what you really wanted.

God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. 1 Corinthians 1:27

From the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have perfect praise! Psalm 8:2

27. “My Father has given me all things. No one knows the Son, only the Father knows the Son. And no one knows the Father, only the Son knows the Father. And the only people who will know about the Father are those whom the Son chooses to tell.

The Lord will bring people to know the truth by His Spirit. Men can push away His Spirit and decide they want their own way but God knocks on the door!

28 – 30

Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads. I will give you rest. 2 Accept my work and learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will find rest for your souls. The work that I ask you to accept is easy. The load I give you to carry is not heavy.”

An ox cannot learn to pull a load until it has been yoked together with another ox who already knows the way!

The devil tells you that serving Jesus is not easy. Those who have served the devil know that his way is hard. The way of a sinner is hard! Proverbs 13:15