Matthew 11:7-11 (click to view Scripture below)
In the reading today we see Jesus questioning the crowd following him. He asks them what they are looking for? He is probing what their expectations are and why they have come so far out into the wilderness? Jesus is intentionally setting people up in this discussion because He is really saying, despite your lofty hopes and expectations, there is a gift that your mind can’t comprehend.
During this season, we’re bombarded by marketing that compels us to dream bigger and bigger about what gifts we might receive on Christmas day. The truth is many of us will be disappointed when we finally unwrap those gifts under the tree. In the same way, many of us have high hopes for circumstances in our lives that need solutions. We have imagined detailed scenarios about how our dilemmas could be resolved. Jesus asks us today, what are we looking for? While his answer my not look like what we have imagined, His response to us is the same as it was to that crowd in the wilderness — your biggest dream and best solution can’t match what I’ve got in store for you.
Vice President, ChildHope
Prayer: Lord, I confess I’ve got some things in my life that need fixing. I also admit I have some answers that I think could work. I lay those at your feet and ask you to fill my life with your answers — I know your answers are best.
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Matthew 11:7-11 (ESV)
7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man[a] dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet?[b] Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,
“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’
11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
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Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®),
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