
“John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, ‘Are You the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?’
Jesus told them, ‘Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen––– the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.’
And He added, ‘God blesses those who do not fall away because of Me.’” —Matthew 11:2-6 NLT
The Prison of Presumption
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“John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, ‘Are You the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?’” —Matthew 11:2-3 NLT
Why was John in prison?
“John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, for marrying Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for many other wrongs he had done. So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his many others.” —Luke 3:19-20 NLT
John is asking Jesus if He’s the Messiah, but John was the one who announced it!
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look! The Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world! He is the One I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for He existed long before me.’” —John 1:29-30 NLT
“The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at Him and declared, ‘Look! There is the Lamb of God!’” —John 1:35-36 NLT
“Almost certainly the reason for John’s doubts is his languishing in prison. Why would One Who had promised to free prisoners leave John in jail? Most likely John also wondered why there were no signs of the imminent judgment of the wicked he had predicted. In fact, Jesus’ messiahship little resembled the political and military program of liberation many Jews anticipated.” —Craig Blomberg
“Jesus told them, ‘Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen ––– the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.’” —Matthew 11:4-5 NLT
“Jesus is using words that will evoke recollections of messianic prophecy; the blind, the lame, the deaf, the poor. Clearly Jesus is drawing attention to wonderful deeds the Messiah would do and adding others.” —Leon Morris
“God blesses those who do not fall away because of Me.” —Matthew 11:6 NLT
Discussion Questions
Describe an instance where you were offended by something that someone did or didn’t do. What was it about what the person did or didn’t do that offended you?
Have you ever carried an offense toward God because of something He didn’t do? Describe that situation. What was it you expected God to do that He didn’t?
Typically, our offenses towards God aren’t based on Him not keeping His promises, but rather Him not meeting our presumptions and expectations. Think back on your answer to the last question. Was your expectation based on a promise, or a presumption?
In an effort to protect our hearts from offense, we should build our belief on promises not presumptions. What are some of your favorite promises from God in Scripture? How can they build your faith?