John had no doubts at this time. He sim ply questioned the Lord for the benefit of his disciples that from the Lord’s own lips they might hear His testimony con cerning His divine mission. However, it seems better to recognize the frailty of John at this point and to note how the Lord ministered to it. He used the meth od of appealing to His works to remove John’s doubts (w . 4, 5). No mere man could do the things which Christ had been doing. Thus He must be the prom ised Messiah. From this incident it is good to consider the willingness of Christ to minister to the needs of His disciples. He does not minister to all in the same way but always in the most effective way. The Saviour’s Thankful Spirit vv. 25-27 These verses appear just following words of judgment upon those who had demonstrated a hardened attitude toward Jesus. The latter looked up to His heavenly Father and gave thanks even amidst a situation that seemed discour aging. Certain humble souls (“babes” ) had received Him. For these He is thankful. Thus in times of discourage ment and perplexity we will be pleasing to God if we take time to thank God for His blessings. Such an attitude will tend to drive the clouds of gloom away. Note how often the Apostle Paul manifested a thankful spirit in spite of outward cir cumstances (cf. Phil. 1:3; 2 Cor. 1:3). It was at this juncture that Christ gave expression to one of His most sub lime statements as to His equality with the Father (v. 27). He makes clear the fact that in the highest sense the Father and He “ are mutually and exclusively known to each other.” He also reveals the fact that it is only through the Son that men come to know the Father in a sav ing relationship. How then can anyone claim to be a Christian who denies the deity of the Son of God! The Saviour’s Tender Invitation vv. 28-30 After setting forth His authority in verse 27, it was fitting that Christ should give the invitation of verses 28 to 30, epitomized in v. 28. Note (1) the giver of it, “me” ; (2) the scope of it, “ all ye” ; (3) the response desired, “ come” ; and (4) the promise connected with it, “ rest.” Here is an excellent time for the teacher to invite unsaved pupils to “come” to Christ. Memory Verse: “Thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God hath given unto thee (Deut. 26:11). John the Baptist was in prison because he had condemned the sin of a wicked king. John was told of the many won derful miracles that the Lord Jesus had performed and of His mighty preach ing. John sent two of his disciples to the Saviour to ask, “ Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” John knew the promises of the coming Mes siah, the Son of God. Perhaps this was Helps for the Children Thanking God for Jesus Matt. 11:1-11
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N n v I K O JESUS' THANKSGIVING— AND OURS Matt. 11:2-6, 25-30 Pointers on the Lesson Chapter 11 of Matthew’s Gospel pre sents a time of crisis in the life of our Lord. It was the time when Jewish en mity against Christ had come to a cli max (vv. 20-24). His rejection was more evident than ever before. Israel had no heart for the Lord Jesus. He found more faith among the Gentiles as, for in stance, in the case of the centurion whose servant was ill (8:10). Truly, “ He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:11). “ Then [rejected by His people] began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done” (v. 20). It was at this time that He began to declare a new mes sage: “ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I*will give you rest” (v. 28). About the same time we read that “Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the seaside,” thus assuming a different attitude toward Israel and showing more attention to the Gentiles. The Baptist’s Inquiry vv. 2-6 With the cause of Christ facing diffi culties in the way of doubts, prejudices, and rank unbelief, it need not surprise us that even John the Baptist doubted. Remember he had been in prison for some time. The prospects for his release were not good. He was suffering un justly. Other great servants of the Lord in times of great stress have had their periods of depression. Think of David and Elijah. Bishop Ryle thinks that
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