Daily Devotional For Monday, October 27, 2025

Good morning Southside! We are slowly making our way through Matthew’s Gospel and today, we are picking up where we left off yesterday in chapter 11. Yesterday, we saw that John the Baptizer started having doubts about Jesus, his cousin, being the Messiah. Look at Jesus’ continued response about questions from John the Baptizer in Matthew 11:7-15:

“As John’s followers were leaving, Jesus began talking to the people about John. Jesus said, “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed blown by the wind? (8) What did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes live in kings’ palaces. (9) So why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, and I tell you, John is more than a prophet. (10) This was written about him: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare the way for you.’ (11)  I tell you the truth, John the Baptist is greater than any other person ever born, but even the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John. (12) Since the time John the Baptist came until now, the kingdom of heaven has been going forward in strength, and people have been trying to take it by force. (13) All the prophets and the law of Moses told about what would happen until the time John came. (14) And if you will believe what they said, you will believe that John is Elijah, whom they said would come. (15) Let those with ears use them and listen!” (NCV).

After John’s disciples left, Jesus decided to respond to the crowds who overheard this conversation. Jesus asked the people if they had gone out in the wilderness to see a man who was like a reed, shaken by the wind? New Testament scholar Bruce B. Barton writes this: “To compare a person to a reed was to say that the person was without moral fiber or courage, easily tossed about by various opinions, never taking a stand on anything” (Source: Bruce B. Barton, Life Application Bible Commentary, “Matthew,” p. 221).

Obviously, the people had not gone out to see someone like that. Then Jesus asked the people if they had gone out to the Jordan River to see someone dressed in fine soft clothes. No. John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair which is coarse and rough. If the people want to see someone like that, they just need to go to a palace. The people had gone out to see a prophet, John, sent by God who was the forerunner to the Messiah, Jesus. 

John’s clothes alone were enough to let the people know that something new was about to happen. As a result, many believed that the age of the Messiah had arrived (Matthew 3:3). To make this point clear, Jesus said that John had fulfilled the prophecy in Malachi 3:1. Jesus said that no one had fulfilled God’s purpose than John – not Abraham, not Moses, not Elijah, not Enoch, not Joshua, not David, and not Elisha. What a statement. John would die before Jesus and had to trust in his doubts that Jesus was the Messiah. 

In verse 12, Jesus makes it clear that His kingdom has already experienced violence. Jesus knew that as His kingdom advanced, attacks against it would increase., but at a cost – the potential lives of anyone who chose to be His disciple and follower. This violence started when Jesus was born with Herod and his parents had to flee with Him to Egypt. If you remember, Herod had all Jewish boys 2 and under massacred. Now, Herod strikes again against John the Baptizer with his imprisonment and eventual martyrdom. In verses 13-15, Jesus referred to the law and the prophets. The Jews actually broke the Old Testament into 3 parts: the Law, the writings and the prophets. All 3 point to Jesus’ coming (see Matthew 5:17-20). John the Baptizer was not the reincarnation of Elijah nor was he the resurrected Elijah. But just like Elijah, he was pointing people to God and confronting their sin. Jesus understood how challenging and difficult it was for people to accept His message. 

That is why in verse 14 Jesus said “if you will believe My message . . .” Most would not while some would accept His message. Only those with ears to ear would receive His message. Listening is an art. I really like what New Testament scholar Bruce B. Barton writes on this as a summary about listening. He says great listening requires:

• “Understanding the context of a message. Words taken out of context are often misunderstood. Learn as much as you can about the whole situation.
• Understanding the messenger. Who’s talking? What’s his or her credibility? What are the biases and presuppositions? Is the messenger trustworthy?
• What’s the purpose of the message? “I have a dream” can be a stirring call to social justice or an appeal for help on a psychiatrist’s couch. What are the words doing to people?” (Source: Bruce B. Barton, Life Application Bible Commentary, “Matthew,” p. 223.

It is one thing to hear something and another thing to listen. Hearing and listening are not the same as my wife says. She says I hear her but I am not listening to her. Has anyone ever been charged with this? Maybe we all could start a community group together. We’ll hear each other but not listen to each other. HA.

One of the things that stand out in this story is what Jesus did not do because of John’s doubts. Jesus did not shame, blame or condemn John for his doubts. Jesus did not rebuke John nor lecture him in a condescending tone such as, “I can’t believe this John. You’re making a fool out of yourself, your ministry and mine as well. Get with the program John!” That wasn’t Jesus’ way. Jesus simply sent messengers back to tell John what they had personally seen and heard that confirmed that Jesus was the Messiah. 

Jesus simply affirmed John the Baptizer. Jesus made it clear that John was not a people-pleaser (Matthew 11:8). Jesus praised John for his noble character (Matthew 11:7-11). Even though John struggled with some doubts, Jesus still lifted him up as a prophet to be listened to in that day. Unlike many hardnose Christians today, Jesus encouraged John rather than discouraged him.

Assignment: Go to someone you know that is having doubts about their Christian faith. Instead of lecturing them or putting them down for their doubts, encourage them and lift them up for their faith in the past. 

Scripture To Meditate On: Revelation 2:11, “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death” (NLT).

Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, thank You that You do not condemn me, trash me or humiliate me when I have doubts. Use me to help others work through and process their doubts so that they come back to full faith and trust in You. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly