On Dec. 22, Pastor Jim preaches on Matthew 11:2-11.

2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written,

‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

Jesus claimed that John the baptizer was the greatest person ever born. One could argue that Jesus even put John above himself. Read the text above.

He said this after John, languishing in King Herod’s jail, sent messengers to Jesus asking him if he was the real deal, that is, The One they have been waiting for. He even suggested that maybe there was someone else coming besides Jesus as Messiah.

Jesus did not condemn John for his doubt. He praised him; he told John’s disciples to think about what they had seen: the healing and miracles and the power of Jesus.

This coming Sunday we will think together about who Jesus is. Is he truly the one? If he is, what then must we do? How should we witness to what we know about Him?