Setting the Scene

Jesus stands out as one of the most remarkable figures in human history. But have you ever wondered about the specifics of His mission on earth? Why did He come, and what was His purpose? Today, we’ll explore how Jesus described His mission in His own words and how He invited someone close to Him to understand the reason He came to earth.

For the best experience, we recommend doing this Bible plan with a friend. Journeying together allows you to share insights, encourage each other, and discover more about Jesus along the way.

How to Get Started Together:

1. Catch up weekly – Set a time each week to meet in person or hop on a call. Use this time to share and reflect on what you’ve read.
2. Choose your style – You can either read the passages on your own and discuss them when you meet, or go through the plan together during your catch-up.

What to Do Each Time You Catch Up:

1. Read – Take turns reading the passages together or on your own during the week.
2. Retell – Summarize the story in your own words, focusing on the key details.
3. Reflect – Share what stood out to you. What do these stories reveal about Jesus and the people involved?
4. Relate – Discuss how these stories connect to your life or challenge your perceptions. Use the Reflection Questions to guide your conversation.

This simple rhythm makes it easy to stay connected, grow together, and dive deeper into what you’re learning.

Let’s get started.

John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin. A wild-hearted, quirky character who had been tasked with preparing the nation of Israel, God’s people, for the arrival of Jesus, the long awaited Messiah. At this point, John is imprisoned and awaiting execution. Confused and disheartened, John reaches out to Jesus with a critical question: “Are you the one we’ve been expecting?” It’s a striking moment—John, the one who had proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, now grapples with doubt. His current reality doesn’t align with his expectations of who the Messiah should be or what He should accomplish.

Jesus’ response is curious. Rather than a direct answer, He tells John’s friends to report back what they see and hear: “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” Why doesn’t Jesus just say yes or no? Because He invites John to draw his own conclusion based on the evidence—Jesus’ actions.

John’s struggle reflects a broader social tension of the time. The Jewish people were anticipating a Messiah to liberate them from Roman rule and restore their nation’s glory. Many envisioned a military leader who would overthrow their oppressors and establish Israel as a global power. Yet, Jesus’ mission was profoundly different. His miracles—healing the sick, raising the dead, and bringing hope to the marginalized—fulfilled ancient prophecies but didn’t align with the political and revolutionary figure that many people expected.

Jesus’ message to John was clear: “I am the one, but my mission is not what you thought it would be.” Instead of political domination, He was ushering in a kingdom marked by love, restoration, and liberation from evil. This required John, and anyone seeking to understand Jesus, to let go of preconceived notions and engage with what Jesus actually said and did.

Now, it’s your turn to wrestle with these questions. Who do you believe Jesus to be? Perhaps you see Him as a wise teacher, a moral figure, or maybe you’re unsure. Regardless of where you stand, this journey invites you to examine the evidence for yourself. Are you willing to consider His actions and their significance?

Reflection Questions

1. Who do you currently believe Jesus to be?
2. What are some of the things you’ve heard He did?
3. Why might these actions matter, and how could they be significant?

When you’re ready, take some time to explore Matthew 11 with a friend. Reflect on and discuss what stands out to you, and when you’re ready for the next step, we’ll be here to guide you into the bigger story of Jesus.