What Did You Go Out to See?

November 29, 2009

Introduction

 

In Matthew 11, we read about an incident involving John the Baptist.  (Mat 11:2-3 NKJV)  And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples {3} and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"   Consider the situation:  John is in prison, and if Jesus is the one they were looking for, why did He not get John out of prison.

 

(Mat 11:4-6 NKJV)  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: {5} "The blind see 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. {6} "And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."

 

This was the evidence that Jesus wanted John to consider.

 

 (Mat 11:7-11 NKJV)  As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? {8} "But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. {9} "But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. {10} "For this is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.' {11} "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

 

This morning, we want to look at the implications of what Jesus said to the multitudes about John the Baptist.

 

Body

 

I.       A Reed shaken in the wind?

 

(Mat 11:7 NKJV)  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

 

1. Someone who tell you what you want to hear.

 

1.      It could be a politician – someone wanting to win the next election.

2.      It could be a friend.

 

a.       They could be saying nice things to make you feel good.

b.      They could be truly trying to encourage you.

 

2. So what about the reed shaken in the wind?

 

1.      They will not tell you the hard things you need to know.

 

a.       Maybe things we need to change in our way of building homes, or doing business.

b.      There was that nurse in the hospital:  “You’re either going to walk or die!”

c.       Maybe changes we need to make in our marriage or as parents.

d.      Maybe changes we need to make as Christians in our daily lives.

 

2.      By implication, Jesus is saying, John was no reed shaken by the wind.

 

a.       He was in prison for standing up to Herod because he was living with his brother’s wife.

b.      Why must you suffer for standing for what is right?

 

II.    A man clothed in soft garments?

 

(Matt. 11:8) "But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses

 

A.        What do you mean by soft garments?

 

(Mat 11:8 NIV)  If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces.

 

B.         What are the implications of soft garments?

 

This kind of clothing was an emblem of riches, splendor, effeminacy, feebleness of character. He meant to say that John was a man of a different stamp - coarse in his exterior, hardy in his character, firm in his virtue, suited to endure trials and privations, and thus qualified to be the forerunner of the toiling and suffering Messiah.  Albert Barnes

 

C.         What did John wear?

 

(Mat 3:4 NKJV)  And John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

 

1.       He was a rugged, no nonsense kind of guy.

2.      His message was to the point.

 

III. He was a prophet and more.

 

(Mat 11:9 NKJV)  "But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.

 

A.         Why do people seek out prophets?

 

1.       Because they want to know more about God.

 

a.      They want to know about Him.

b.      They want to know what He wants.

 

2.      They want to know how to live for God, and with one another.

 

B.         John preached to those who came to hear him.

 

(Luke 3:10-14 NKJV)  So the people asked him, saying, "What shall we do then?" {11} He answered and said to them, "He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise." {12} Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?" {13} And he said to them, "Collect no more than what is appointed for you." {14} Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, "And what shall we do?" So he said to them, "Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages."

 

Conclusion

 

I.       Who is the prophet that we can go to see?

 

A.     We can assemble together to worship God.

B.     We can study to find the applications that apply to our own lives.

 

II.    We need to do the homework that we need to do.

 

1. We need to read and study His word.

 

(Deu 6:6-7 NKJV)  "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. {7} "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

 

2. We need to pray for guidance.

 

(Jer 10:23 NKJV)  O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.

 

Scripture quotations marked "NKJV™" are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

 

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