This may sound strange, but I take comfort when I read in Scripture that even the greatest of "saints" struggled at time in their faith. It not only bears witness that these events REALLY took place (for why would the authors want to record stories of such failures), but encourages me to press on in my walk with Jesus after my own lapse of faith. Today, we get a little look into the life of John the Baptist, a man who has been called "the last and the greatest of the Old Testament prophets".

Matthew 11:2-11

2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

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 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? 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.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What "deeds" referenced in verse 2 do you think Jesus was doing that John heard about? Based on this, do you think Jesus' answer in verses 4-5 would appease him? Why or why not? If not, why did Jesus answer in the way He did?

+ Why did John feel the need to ask his question in verse 3? Do you think he was asking for himself, for his two disciples, both, or somebody else? Why or why not?

+ Doing a verse search on the word "offense" yielded these passages of Scripture: Mark 6:1-6, Romans 9:30-33, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 and Galatians 5:1-11. Based on this, what do you think Jesus means in verse 6?

+ In your opinion, why was John so great? What does it mean to be "in the kingdom of heaven" and why does that make a person there "greater" than John or any other person? How does that make you feel?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?