Jesus isn’t just claiming to be the Messiah—He’s proving it through His actions, teaching, and fulfillment of prophecy. In Matthew 9-12, we see how Jesus’ miracles, His response to John the Baptist, and the reactions of the Pharisees all point to His true identity. But what happens when Jesus doesn’t meet our personal expectations? Let’s dive in.

✈️ Overview:

• Matthew structures his Gospel to show Jesus as the new Moses, organizing His teachings into five major blocks (mirroring the Torah).

• In Matthew 8-10, Jesus demonstrates the kingdom: healing the sick, calming storms, casting out demons, and restoring the broken.

• In Matthew 11-12, responses to Jesus range from faith to doubt to outright rejection—even John the Baptist questions if Jesus is the one.

• Jesus doesn’t just talk—His miracles validate His claim as Messiah, but they also challenge expectations.

🔎 Context Clues:

• “When Jesus finished…” - Matthew marks each major teaching section with this phrase, showing five structured discourses in the book.

• Jesus’ miracles weren’t just random acts of kindness—they were signs of the kingdom, proving His authority over sickness, nature, demons, and even death.

• John the Baptist asks, “Are you the one?” (Matt. 11:3). Jesus responds by referencing Isaiah’s prophecies—except He leaves out the promise of freeing captives, signaling that John’s personal rescue isn’t part of the plan.

🤓 Nerdy Nuggets:

• Matthew’s Gospel aligns with Jewish symbolism—five teaching blocks (like the Torah) and portraying Jesus as the new Moses.

• The four Gospels reflect Ezekiel & Revelation’s four creatures:

• Matthew = Lion (Jesus as King)

• Mark = Ox (Jesus as Servant)

• Luke = Man (Jesus as fully human)

• John = Eagle (Jesus as divine)

• Jesus’ words in Matthew 11 subtly challenge John’s expectations—He is the Messiah, but not the kind of political liberator many expected.

✅ Timeless Truths:

• Faith isn’t based on personal experience alone. Jesus is Messiah whether or not He meets our personal expectations (Matt. 11:6).

• The Kingdom of God is upside-down. Jesus’ rule isn’t about military conquest—it’s about healing, justice, and transformation.

• Jesus’ identity isn’t based on what He does for us—it’s rooted in who He is. He is the fulfillment of prophecy, whether or not we see Him move in the way we expect.

John the Baptist’s question still lingers today—Is Jesus really the one? His words, His miracles, and the fulfillment of Scripture leave no doubt. But the real challenge is this: Will we trust Him, even when He doesn’t do what we want?

🚀 START HERE!

Want to join us on the journey? Check out the Start Page! You can start from Episode 001 on January 1st or jump in to follow along with us, your choice.

📖 DOWNLOAD THE PLAN:

Whether you’re new to the Bible or ready for a fresh start in 2025, this plan is for YOU. And the best part? The plan is FREE! Download it now and start your journey today.

🤓 WANT MORE BIBLE NERD RESOURCES?

Check out armacourses.com for biblical literacy resources, courses, and a community to grow with! Learn the Bible for yourself with 60+ courses and counting for only $13 / Month. Also, your first 30 days are on us. Join ARMA for FREE!

🐉 PRE-ORDER DR.MANNY'S NEW BOOK

Crushing Chaos is available now for preorder, shipping on May 6th. Learn more & buy now at https://crushingchaos.com.

🍬 CHURCH CANDY MARKETING

Get NEW church guests, EVERY Sunday without you having to stress over ads, algorithms, or figuring out Facebook or Instagram. Head over to https://churchcandy.com/manny to book a discovery call today!

👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:

• The Bible Dept. | YouTube
• The Bible Dept. | Spotify
• The Bible Dept. | Apple Podcasts

📱 STAY CONNECTED:

• The Bible Dept. | Instagram
• The Bible Dept. | Facebook
• Dr. Manny Arango | Instagram
• ARMA | Instagram

📨 EMAIL US!

Got questions or want to share your thoughts? Email us at [email protected].

💥 MORE RESOURCES:

• Amazon Store | Shop The Bible Dept. Essentials
• Dr. Manny Arango’s Book | Brainwashed
• Book Dr. Manny to Speak

🌱 WE’RE PLANTING A CHURCH!

• The Garden | Houston, TX
• The Garden | Instagram
• The Garden | Facebook

SUBSPLASH:

The Subsplash Platform is the complete solution for connecting with your community on Sunday and beyond. There’s no better way for your church or ministry to engage your audience, grow your giving, or host and stream your media. Learn more at https://subsplash.com/bible-department

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands