BIBLE EXPLORE / NEW TESTAMENT / MATTHEW

Book of Matthew: Chapter 11

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John the Baptist (Matthew 11:2-11)

“Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” In the Gospel reading for today, John asks Jesus to confirm that he is in fact the messiah they have all been waiting for. 

Who was John the Baptist?

You can find more about John in Matthew 3:1-6, but the words that Jesus uses to describe him in today's reading is fascinating: "​“I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!"

Is Jesus the Messiah? 

Yes! In today's reading, Jesus confirms that all the signs of the messiah have been made fulfilled in him. “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen-- the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.”

Interactive journey prayers

What you need:

• A notice board (or other board that can accommodate push pins) — the larger the better (note: if you have a large congregation or group having a number of smaller boards could be helpful, or use 2 or more balls of wool)
• A large ball of wool - any colour
• Push pins
  
  

What you do:

1. Put the board on a table at a height that everyone can reach.  Use a step stool or chair that smaller children will be able to stand on if necessary.
2. Explain what the prayer activity is (see below) and say something like, “as you move the wool on the board, think about the journey that you are on towards Christmas and welcoming Jesus.”
3. Start by putting a tack through the beginning of the wool. Pass the ball to the next person and allow them to stretch out a bit of wool and put a tack down to hold the wool in place (there will now be a straight line).  
4. Continue passing the wool to each member of the group of congregation.  The lines can be long or short.  They can double back. 
5. When everyone has finished, conclude the prayer time by thanking God for the journey that each person is on, and asking God to help us keep our hearts open to him during this time of preparation and anticipation.

Gospel Conversations

Thanks to the Diocese of Dunedin for this Gospel Conversation. For the second week we think about John the Baptist, now nearing the end of his ministry and life. What is the significance of the question he sends Jesus? What is the significance of the answer Jesus sends back? How does this fit in our Advent journey? Michael is joined this week by Grace, Peg and Anne.

Visio Lectio

Thanks to Rev Sarah West, from Ordinary Saints in the Auckland Diocese, for this image. Have a look at Visio Lectio for more prints to match the lectionary.
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Come to me (Matthew 11:28)

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Come, come, come

A song written and performed by Malcolm Gordon, for the Anglican Schools of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. This would be a great song to play before the Eucharist meal, or as part of a prayer reflection.