 |
Attitudes We Face (Matthew 11) We see how Jesus faced common attitudes that we face in others and sometimes ourselves… |
Attitudes We Face (Matthew 11)
We see how Jesus faced common attitudes that we face in others and sometimes ourselves…
- Doubt (v1-15)
- John was seeking answers (v2-3). He had proclaimed Jesus as the savior of the world (John 1:29-30) but when doubt arose, he sought a response from Jesus.
- Jesus asks him to examine the evidence (v4-6). See the things being done which prophets foretold (Isa. 29:18; 35:4-6; 61:1).
- He even addresses doubts the crowd may have concerning John (v7-15); John was doing what the prophets said (v10, Mal. 3:1).
- Doubt should always be confronted with the honest evaluation of evidence (Heb. 11:1, 6; 1 Pet. 3:15; Acts 17:2-3).
- Dissatisfaction (v16-19)
- Regardless of the evidence some just will not be satisfied, nothing can please them.
- To them there is nothing to say; if they won‟t honestly consider the evidence, they will not be convinced nor have faith (cf. Matt. 13:15; Rom. 10:1-3, 17; John 20:30-31; Acts 13:45-46).
- Defiance (v20-24)
- These too refuse evidence placed before them, refusing to repent even though Jesus did most of His mighty works here.
- Such defiance was without excuse; they failed to properly processing the evidence and act on it (cf. 1 Kings 18:21; Rom. 1:20; Lk. 16:31; 2 Tim. 3:15; James 1:22 Acts 2:40)
- Dependency (v25-27)
- Jesus knows not all will believe, but that does not change His view, God is still Lord of heaven and earth!
- Then Jesus calls on us to have the same response, having examined the evidence, follow Him (cf. Matt. 7:24-27).
