A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

THEIR MINISTRY WAS THE RIGHT ONE      

Matthew 11:18-19 “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.”   

The Jews were not satisfied with John the Baptist because he did not eat or drink, or with Jesus who did eat and drink with sinners. They said John had a demon, and they rejected Jesus as a glutton and a drunkard and a friend of tax collectors and sinners. Even though in the Old Testament there were prophecies that the Baptist and Jesus would come into the world and said what they would do, the Jews wanted nothing to do with either of them. 

The Jews were looking for someone different than the Baptist and someone different than Jesus. In each instance there were those who did seek them out but far more who did not. Those who did not failed to listen to their message that pointed them to the only source for the forgiveness of their sins and eternal life in heaven. 

As these devotions have said any number of times, there is nothing new under the sun. Still today as people come in contact with the message delivered by God through His chosen messengers, it is never the right message. People continue to look for something different than what God wants to give them. They want the miracles but not the rest. 

Though the people were not happy with either John the Baptist or Jesus Christ, their message proved to be right. Many have entered into the kingdom of God through Him who John prepared the way and the ONE who came after Him who lived, died, and rose again for the forgiveness of their sins, eternal life, and salvation.   

Prayer: Holy Spirit, open up my heart to believe that Jesus alone is my Savior and Lord. In His holy name. Amen. 

Salvation unto us has come By God’s free grace and favor;  
Good works cannot avert our doom, They help and save us never.  
Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone, Who did for all the world atone;  
He is our one Redeemer. 

Yet as the Law must be fulfilled Or we must die despairing,  
Christ came and has God’s anger stilled, Our human nature sharing.  
He has for us the Law obeyed And thus the Father’s vengeance stayed  
Which over us impended. 

Since Christ has full atonement made And brought to us salvation,  
Each Christian therefore may be glad And build on this foundation.  
Your grace alone, dear Lord, I plead, Your death is now my life indeed,  
For You have paid my ransom. 

All blessing, honor, thanks, and praise To Father, Son, and Spirit,  
The God who saved us by His grace; All glory to His merit.  
O triune God in heaven above, You have revealed Your saving love;  
Your blessed name we hallow.  

Salvation unto Us Has Come // LSB 555 - v. 1,5,6,10