URC Daily Devotion 17 December 2025
St Matthew 11: 1 – 19
After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 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. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. Whoever has ears, let them hear: “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
Reflection
Broadly speaking, Matthew 11 and 12 are about how the current generation have rejected both John the Baptist’s message of repentance, and Jesus’ message of good news. As part of this, some followers of John relay a question from him to Jesus, essentially wanting confirmation that he is the long-awaited Messiah.
The evidence Jesus gives, of good news made real, is not just a message for John, but for all: “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” The demonstrable in-breaking of God’s kingdom is self-evident. Jesus then affirms John’s ministry, aligning him with ‘the Elijah who was to come’. John’s role, Jesus asserts, has been pivotal in salvation history; he is the bridge between the prophets of old and the new covenant in Christ.
The crucial verse comes at v.15, “Whoever has ears, let them hear.” This verse is problematic for those with hearing difficulties, but the central theme is whether those encounters with Jesus, or John, have been transformational, be they seen, heard, touched, represent moments of cleansing, or of release. The compelling argument is that to experience this salvation and yet not to respond is foolishness. The analogy given for this unrepentant and unbelieving generation are children in the marketplace. When John called for repentance, they piped a dance; when Jesus proclaimed good news, they played a dirge.
What then of this generation? When repentance is required, whether collectively or individually, do we paper over this with praise? When the good news is meant to be proclaimed with confidence, do we lament, blaming our inability to evangelise on our size or structures or demography? Jesus’ rebuke is clear. How seriously we will take it is up to us.
Prayer
Gracious Lord Jesus,
forgive our unbelief!
We hear your Word,
see your hand at work,
feel your presence,
rely on your cleansing love,
enjoy your freedom,
yet choose not to change.
Have faith in us,
and help us to have faith in ourselves, through you. Amen