Matthew 11:1

 Matthew 11:1 says, And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.  After Jesus gave His command about how they were to go about proclaiming the gospel, He Himself went to teach and preach in the cities around Him.  We, as followers of Christ, have His command to go into the world and proclaim the gospel, and it is not just the responsibility of the preachers to do so.  Verse two states, Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,  John the Baptist was in prison by this time, but he heard of the work of Jesus and sent two of his disciples to Jesus.  Verse three adds, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?  John asked Jesus if the was the Messiah, or if they should look for another one to be the Messiah.  Ultimately, this is the question that everyone must ask, and the answer is that Jesus is the only Messiah, or Savior, that ever was, is or will be.  Verse four declares, Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:  Jesus told John's two disciples to return to John and tell him what that had seen Jesus do.  It was still up to John whether he believed that Jesus was the Messiah or not, just as it is up to each individual today.  Verse five adds, The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.  Jesus told them to tell John what He had been doing, including preaching the gospel.  What evidence would we offer today if we were asked to give proof that we are truly a Christian?  Verse six proclaims, And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.  If we are not ashamed of being a follower of Christ today, we will be spiritually blessed.  Verse seven says, And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?   When the two disciples of John left, Jesus asked the people why they had gone into the wilderness to see him.  Verse eight adds, But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.  Jesus asked if they went because they thought John would be somewhat weak and dressed in finery, and then He warned them against putting their faith in those such people.  Verse nine continues, But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.  Jesus said that they went to see a prophet, and someone who was much more.  When we go to hear someone preach today, it should be because they are proclaiming the gospel and not because of how they may be dressed.  Verse ten continues, For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.  Jesus said that John was the messenger sent to tell the people to prepare for the coming Messiah.  Verse eleven declares, Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  Jesus said that there was no greater man than John the Baptist, except Jesus Himself of course, and yet the least in the kingdom of heaven was greater than John.  Verse twelve adds, And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.  Jesus said that since the coming of John, the kingdom of God had been under attack, so we shouldn't be surprised if it is today.  Verse thirteen continues, For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.  Verse fourteen continues, And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.  Jesus said that all the prophets before John had prophesied about the coming Messiah, and that John was the one who had proclaimed that He was here.   Verse fifteen concludes, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.  We today must hear and believe in Jesus as the Savior of the world if His coming is to have any effect in our lives.