Matthew 11.1-19 - This is “The Day”

Matthew 11.1-19 - This is “The Day”

“The day of the Lord” is a slogan often declared by God’s prophets. They anticipated a cataclysmic final day when the righteous would be vindicated and the faithless destroyed. John the Baptist, the last Old Testament prophet, saw “the axe laid to the root of the trees even now” (Luke 3.9). But the coming of Jesus revealed that this long-sought “day” is really an era on God’s clock – between His first and final comings. Jesus cross-work at His first coming commenced this “day” of Gospel-opportunity for the world. From his Old Covenant vantage point, John was confused by such mercy for the undeserving (Matthew 11.1-19). The furious final “day” John preached is mercifully withheld until Jesus returns as Ultimate Judge. Now, during this era of grace, this is the day the Lord has made, “The day of the LORD is near for all nations” (Obadiah 15).