**Read Matthew 11:2-19 and Romans 9:6-18
I. Jesus and John the Baptist
- In Matthew 11:2-19; John the Baptist has been in prison for a while and because of this, he has been experiencing some doubts on who Jesus really was. John's mission was to prepare the hearts of the people for the coming of the messiah but how can he do this when he is in prison. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He really was the messiah. John probably did this to be assured that he didn't waste his life and he completed his mission. Jesus told the disciples to tell John about all the miracles, healing, and the raising of the dead that He has done. After this, Jesus asked the crowd who they think John was when they went to see him in the wilderness. He, then, said that he was a prophet and a messenger who will prepare (or already prepared) the way. This is if the crowd accepts Jesus as the messiah. He then told the crowd to listen to what John proclaimed when he said in John 1:29, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!". His illustrations in verse 16 about children in marketplaces meant that the "good news" and the truth is already being preached and for some reason, people are still not accepting it. In verses 18-19, Jesus then explain that the Pharisees and Scribes persecuted John because he did not dine with them and accused him of being with a demon but when Jesus did those things, He, then, was accused of gluttony and being a drunk. Jesus ended by saying that their works were justified by the fruit that they bore.
- We sometimes start to doubt our faith in God and Jesus Christ as our savior. When things do not go as planned, we tend to think that God is not listening or does not want to help us. When this happens, instead of doubting him, seek him, read the bible, pray to him
"8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened" - Matthew 7:8
II. God's Sovereign Choice
- In Romans 9:6-18, Paul explained that God has sovereignty or complete control of our lives and our salvation. He used the story of Jacob and Esau, and how even before they were born, even before they have committed any good or evil, God had already chosen Jacob whom He will create a nation (Israel). This shows that God has complete control on who will inherit His kingdom. It is never through our works but always through His grace that we are saved. God has a plan for each of us and sometimes we do not understand that plan or it does not match to what we want to happen, we need to keep our trust in Him for He knows what is best for us. Just remember Romans 8:28
"And we know that ll things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose"
III. Proverbs for Today/ 5:7-14
7 Therefore hear me now, my children,
And do not depart from the words of my mouth.
8 Remove your way far from her,
And do not go near the door of her house,
9 Lest you give your honor to others,
And your years to the cruel one;
10 Lest aliens be filled with your wealth,
And your labors go to the house of a foreigner;
11 And you mourn at last,
When your flesh and your body are consumed,
12 And say:
“How I have hated instruction,
And my heart despised correction!
13 I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers,
Nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me!
14 I was on the verge of total ruin,
In the midst of the assembly and congregation.”
IV. Additional Old Testament:
Exodus 2:11-25, Exodus 3, and Psalms 22:1-18
