Matthew 11:1-6 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. [2] Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, [3] And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? [4] Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: [5] The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. [6] And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

John the Baptist was persecuted. Jesus didn't go to visit him in prison, so John had a message sent to Jesus to ask Him if He really was the Messiah. John questioned what he knew to be the truth, just because of the circumstances.

Mark 4 tells us that persecution is designed to take God's Word away from us!

We need to examine our expectations. And recognize what we do when our expectations are not met. Do we give up on what God had spoken to us? We need to hold fast!

Persecution and affliction go hand in hand.

Dissappointment sometimes brings a change in our faith--our committment--because our hope is not based in truth and therefore we do not really have faith. We do not really believe.

When Jesus got the message from John, He did not answer the question John asked. Instead Jesus directed him to what He was doing. His deeds answered the question.

Not only do the persecuted receive the kingdom of heaven, but the poor in spirit. So the poor in spirit will be the persecuted!

Jesus said,"...blessed are those who are not offended in Me." When things don't turn out the way we expect, are we offended in the Lord, or do we just keep on doing what we know to do and trust God to take care of us and to reveal to us the things we haven't understood?

1 Peter 1:3-10 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, [5] Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. [6] Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: [7] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: [8] Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: [9] Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. [10] Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, [2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.